An oft-forgotten gem

Queensland has lots going for it. Whether it's the iconic Great Barrier Reef, the glitz, glamour and golden beaches of the Gold Coast, or northern gems like Cairns and Townsville, tourists from all over the world have been flocking to the state for many years. But Brisbane, Queensland's capital and the third-largest city in Australia, is often forgotten by visitors.

It's an oversight that seems difficult to comprehend, given Brisbane's now-cosmopolitan nature and the relaxed, gentle pace of life in the city. Home to approximately 2.25 million people, Brisbane is thriving and its relevance - both on a national and a global scale - will be showcased when it hosts the G20 leaders' meeting in November 2014.

That Brisbane can attract such an event highlights its transformation. The city, which lies on the east coast of Australia, is set to welcome thousands of visitors again when the 2015 ICC World Cup rolls into town. The Gabba, where World Cup matches will be played, is located in the suburb of Woolloongabba, 3km from the central business district.

Brisbane has been Queensland's capital since 1859, when the state split from New South Wales, and is named after the Brisbane river. The Brisbane CBD lies in the curve of the river, which gets its name from Sir Thomas Brisbane, governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825.

What to pack: Brisbane has a sub-tropical climate, and while temperatures can easily climb to 35 degrees in February and March, thunderstorms are common. The city averages around 27 to 30 degrees Celsius in summer, but the weather can change quickly. There is more rain in February and March than in the traditional winter months of June and July. So while sunscreen, hats, sunglasses and comfortable clothes are required, it would be wise to also bring a raincoat. The city has several hills, so take a good pair of walking shoes when visiting.

Brisbane's CityCat ferries are a novel way of travelling through the city. In addition to 19 CityCats, there are also nine monohull CityFerries. Most people still travel by car in Brisbane, but train and bus services are, of course, available. Timetables and fares are online. For taxis, use Yellow Cab Co (tel: 132 227) or Black & White Cabs (tel: 133 222).

On most major event days at the Gabba, public transport - on Brisbane Transport buses and Queensland Rail City Network trains - is free with your event ticket. The closest train station to the Gabba is Park Road, approximately 1.3km away. But you can get the train to South Bank or Roma Street and connect with a bus going to the venue, or get a bus from the city in the first place. The Woolloongabba Busway is just across the road from the Gabba. From the city, car, train and bus journeys will take approximately 20 minutes to the ground.

High-end: Quay West Suites offer five-star self-contained apartments designed for those who want a bit of a homely feel to their accommodation. The apartments contain kitchen and laundry facilities, balconies and separate bedrooms, and there's also a pool, a gym and a sauna. It's proved quite popular with Australian cricket teams in the past. Many visiting teams have also stayed at the Stamford Plaza in previous years. There's a range of restaurants and bars to dine in at the Stamford, located on the banks of the Brisbane River, and the outdoor pool proves popular. They are 2 and 2.5km from the stadium, respectively.

Mid-range: Private rooms are available at Eton Hostels with the centrally located property offering en suites, free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning, 4km from the Gabba. The three-and-a-half-star George Williams Hotel is within walking distance of the major attractions and 3.4km away from the stadium.

Budget: Less than 2.5km from the stadium, Brisbane Backpackers Resort features a great range of ways to pass the time when you're not at the cricket. The complex boasts a pool, spa, half-size tennis court, pool table, and bar, and rooms even come with air-conditioning and balconies. The resort also runs free shuttle buses to the Brisbane Transit Centre and Southbank. Another option is Aussie Way Backpackers, which is located in a heritage-listed colonial house that was built in 1872. It is 4.3km from the Gabba.

High-end: On the Eagle Street Pier, Aria is certainly worth a visit. Aria's outstanding menu has been crafted by renowned chef Matt Moran and will not disappoint you. And the amazing views mean it is fit for a special occasion. Philip Johnson's E'cco Bistro is another excellent option, located 3.3km from the Gabba. The modern Australian restaurant is a consistent award-winner and offers a seasonally changing menu - highlighted by the barramundi - and an extensive wine list.

Mid-range: With the tagline of "Brisbane's worst vegetarian restaurant", the Norman Hotel is heaven for steak lovers. The Norman sources their steaks from Queensland family-owned brand Diamantina Beef, and locals rave about this place. Often the line to get in can be out the door, so make a booking before you visit - it's 700m from the stadium. The Japanese food at Sake Restaurant is also highly regarded. Located on the iconic Eagle Street Pier, Sake offers all the Japanese favourites, like sushi and sashimi, in addition to a range of mains. It's barely 2.5km from the Gabba.

Budget: The Spice Avenue Balti Resturant offers Indian food with a British twist and serves a range of balti dishes in addition to traditional favourites. It isn't open on Mondays or Tuesdays, though, and it is more than 20km from the stadium. Less than 500m from the Gabba, the Chalk Hotel serves Australian pub grub and could provide your first Chicken Parmigiana experience. As it's known by the locals, a "Parma" or "Parmy" is breaded chicken, topped with neapolitan sauce, cheese, and sometimes - depending on which state of Australia you are in - ham. Australians take their Parmas seriously, and if you like what you try, there are a number of websites dedicated to finding the best in the country.

High-end: There's no question that the Alfred and Constance has a point of difference: it is spread across two stunning houses (on the corner of Alfred and Constance Street) that are both heritage-listed. Spiral staircases, crystal balls and a sparkling waterfall make Cloudland one of the places to be in Brisbane. There are two bars and a range of private booths, so you can party in style. And the open-air rooftop terrace has people flocking through the doors of the CBD's The Exchange Hotel. All of them are less than 4km from the stadium.

Mid-range: If a dance is what you are after, the amazing layout at The Met will appeal to you. With several levels and bars, The Met - 3.6km from the stadium - has previously hosted the likes of international DJs Hardwell, Carl Cox and Laidback Luke. Located under the bridge, the Story Bridge Hotel is popular, with its four different bars offering a range of atmospheres. It is 2km from the stadium.

Budget: Birdees offers a casual and relaxed atmosphere in a bar frequented by backpackers. If you're travelling solo, a visit to Birdees can be a great way to meet other travellers. If live music is more your thing, get yourself over to the Victory Hotel. It's in the heart of the city and has enough room to cater for all tastes. Both are just over 3km from the stadium.

Soaking in the views from Brisbane's iconic Story Bridge. Book a guided climb up the bridge, which rises 80 metres above sea level and offers 360 degree views of Brisbane. Locals suggest climbing at twilight to see the sun setting over the city. You don't need to be particularly fit to complete the climb and it's possible to abseil 30m down the anchor pier afterwards. You can also get a panoramic view of Brisbane at Mount Coot-tha Lookout.

Cuddling a koala at the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary. Over 130 koalas reside in Australia's first and largest koala sanctuary, where you can also come into contact with a range of other Australian wildlife - including kangaroos.

Drinking the local beer, XXXX or, simply, Four X. Tours of the XXXX brewery are bookable online and give you a first-hand look at how their beer is prepared.