The heart and soul of the city of Brisbane is the river. The highlights of the city are found along its banks, such as the Powerhouse, Brisbane’s coolest entertainment venue, and Story Bridge, Brisbane’s answer to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. The riverside parks, restaurants and boardwalks are loved by locals and tourists alike. One of the best ways to get around is on the river ferries, which can be accessed using a GO card much like any public transport system. In fact, the seven most central stops are free to travel to on the CityHopper ferries. Most of the tourist hotspots lie within this free ferry zone, so this is an ideal way to get around. You can even use this service to simply enjoy a relaxing boat ride past some of Brisbane’s most iconic buildings. My tip is to grab some drinks and ride the ferry at night when the city lights up.

If the free CityHopper ferry isn’t an active enough exploration of the river for you, then head down to Riverlife Adventure Centre and hop into a kayak! Their kayak tours run throughout the day, but the Twilight Kayak, Wine and Grazing Board tour is unbeatable. After viewing some of the cities icons from the water, you float back down the river and disembark at a waterfront deck, where you are presented with antipasti and a glass of wine to round off the evening. A new version of this tour is now available, the Mexican themed Fiesta de Kayak, with burritos and margaritas!

Back in 2013, an old docking site converted more than 50 abandoned shipping containers into food stalls, and Eat Street Northshore was created. Now, with its festival feel, it is one of the city’s primer dining experiences. You’ll find offerings from Vietnam, Greece, Peru, Japan, and many many more. It’s the perfect spot to visit with a group when everyone fancies something different. As well as all the creative and delicious food offerings, the area has multiple performers every night, from local bands to DJs, and even an open air cinema. Only open Friday to Sunday in the evenings, take the ferry up the river to Hamilton wharf to visit. Entry is $5.

Directly below the Story Bridge, this riverside dining and entertainment destination is a fairly new addition to Brisbane’s waterfront. Quickly becoming a favourite for fantastic food and cold drinks on a warm summer evening, the atmosphere Howard Smith Wharves is buzzing every night of the week. A must visit here is Felons Brewing Co, with its prime spot in the centre of the boardwalk. Felons brews a selection of beers and ciders, served alongside high quality pub fare. Felons Barrel Hall next door is an extension of the original pub, but with a slightly smaller menu. In this section of the venue there is often live music acts to enjoy.

Walking tours are the backpacker go-to for orienting yourself in a new city and gaining some insight into the history and culture of the place. In Brisbane, instead opt for a bike tour! This is a great way to get to know the city, and Brisbane By Bicycle’s local guides are always ready to suggest local restaurants, bars and events to make your stay in the city as enjoyable as possible. The cycle along the boardwalk is completely flat and away from traffic, so there are no safety or fitness concerns. The pace is leisurely and there are many stops for story telling and photo taking. Brisbane By Bicycle offer a few different tour routes of varying length, so you can choose the most appropriate for you. Tours start and end at the Wheel of Brisbane.

A visit to the Irwin family’s Australia Zoo is a must do while in Brisbane. The passion this family has for Australian wildlife is celebrated the world over, and the zoo here is the prime example of it. Home to over 1200 animals, there is a strong focus on care and conservation, with the Australian Animal Hospital being built next to the zoo in 2004. The home of the crocodile hunter, it’s no surprise that the daily crocodile feeding shows are a highlight. Other attractions include conservation shows and a kangaroo and wallaby feeding area.

Many of the areas on this list claim to be ‘one of the best places in Brisbane for restaurants and bars’, and honestly it’s all true. This city has so much good food, it’s almost impossible to go wrong. At Fish Lane in South Brisbane, opt for ribs at Big Roddy’s, Vietnamese at Hello Please, or pizza at Julius. There’s often a queue down the street for Julius Pizzas, and it’s worth the wait. Not only a hotspot for restaurants, Fish Lane is also known for its art scene. Sculptures and murals frequently pop up along the street, showcasing local creativity. Take a stroll through this outdoor gallery and enjoy Brisbane’s artists, both culinary and otherwise.

Lone Pine is the largest and oldest koala sanctuary in the world. It is also home to more than 70 other species of Australian animals. With daily shows and presentations and a free-range kangaroo feeding area, there is lots to do here. But the main attraction is the opportunity to cuddle a koala. There are specific limitations to this, for the safety of the koalas, as the shy creatures can become stressed by being touched too frequently by unknown humans. However, at Lone Pine, the priority is the wellbeing of all of their animals, and you can be sure they are being treated with the utmost care and protection. Located in the adorably named suburb Fig Tree Pocket, the koala sanctuary is easily accessible from the centre of Brisbane.

The Powerhouse is Brisbane’s premier event space for art and culture. Originally a power station for Brisbane’s tram network, the building was redesigned and repurposed, and now hosts plays, concerts, comedy shows, circus acts and much more. It is well worth looking up what’s on during your stay, as you can catch some stunning performances from local talents as well as internationally renowned artists. Even if you don’t manage to secure tickets to a performance, there are often outdoor events and exhibitions at the Powerhouse, such as a kaleidoscopic mirror maze, an outdoor cinema or night food market.

Brisbane is in general a very flat city, so, at 226 meters above sea level, Mount Coot-tha is the highest point. Despite being fairly short as mounts go, the lookout at the top remains the best viewpoint to take in the city skyline, the winding river, and the sea beyond. Mount Coot-tha means honey mountain, so named because aboriginal people from the surrounding areas would come here to collect ‘ku-ta’ (honey) from bees. There are plenty of walking trails and picnic spots to enjoy. At the foot of Mount Coot-tha you will find Brisbane Botanic Gardens, which is completely free and a peaceful and picturesque place to spend an afternoon.

This post was originally published at “A Laidback Life in Brisbane, Australia” on Wanderdash (follow me @rosroundtheworld)