Brisbane, Australia

Once considered the "country cousin" of Australia's cities, Brisbane is today the nation's third largest metropolis. Lying on the banks of the Brisbane River, this cosmopolitan city boasts elegant 19th century sandstone buildings, a lively cultural scene and superb parklands. Brisbane is also the gateway to adventures with a uniquely Australian flavor, whether it is to a wildlife park, the rain-forested Mount Tamborine plateau, or the dazzling beaches of Queensland's fabled Gold Coast.