Brisbane

Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia and Oceania, with around 2.6 million inhabitants. Tourism plays an important role in the life of Brisbane, the third most popular destination for tourists after Sydney and Melbourne. Brisbane's metropolitan area is surrounded by a number of national parks, which are popular recreational destinations for hiking and bushwalking. Immediately south and north of Brisbane are the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, home to Australia's most popular swimming and surfing beaches and a favorite daytime and weekend destination for Brisbane residents. Brisbane is home to a species of eucalyptus. Other common trees include the Moreton Bay fig and the jacaranda, a subtropical tree native to South America that lines many avenues and parks and blooms with purple flowers in October. Mangrove swamps are found along the Brisbane River and along some shores of Moreton Bay. Brisbane is home to many species of birds as well, common species include Rainbow Lorikeets, kookaburras, galahs, Australian White Ibis, Australian Brushturkeys, Torres Crows, Australian Magpies and Noisy Miners. Reptiles include Common Garden Skink, Australian Water Dragons, Bearded Dragons and Blue-Tongued Lizards. Common Ringtail Possums and Flying Foxes are common in the city's parks and courtyards. The Brisbane River is home to many species of fish and Bull Shark. The waters of Moreton Bay are home to Dugongs, Humpback Whales, dolphins, Mud Crabs, Soldier Crabs, Moreton Bay Bugs and many species of shellfish.