So many visitors neglect Brisbane in their rush to get to Queensland's beaches. This is a shame as it's a grand city bursting with life and colour and full of things to see and do. Here's a quick guide to Brisbane in a Nutshell showing you how to get a quick handle on this great city.

To get your bearings, take a cruise along the Brisbane River on the CityCat. Get on and off wherever you fancy and acquaint yourself with Brisbane's famous riverside attractions such as Southbank, the University of Queensland, and New Farm.

If you're feeling really adventurous and want a lofty, panoramic view of the city, you can join the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. The 2 1/2 hour climb to and across the two summits is led by experienced climb leaders who offer commentary on the history and heritage of the city and the bridge.

For a birds-eye view of the city and environs, head just four miles out of town to the top of Mount Cootha for a panoramic view of both the whole of Brisbane city and the surrounding countryside including the coast. On a clear day, you can see Moreton Bay. Enjoy a snack, coffee of ice cream at the Summit Restaurant. A nighttime visit is a very romantic experience with the city blazing with lights below you.

In fact the Mount Cootha area offers a whole range of attractions including the 52-hectare Botanic Gardens and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.

Back in the city, you'll want to check out Brisbane's shopping facilities. For this, head to Queen Street Mall in the centre of Brisbane's Central Business District.

The Mall is a short, open air walkway offering shopping and dining beneath the elements. Take your pick from designer fashions, international and local chain stores and chic independent boutiques, along with book shops, shoe shops, jewellers and more. You can witness a lively street scene with buskers and regular street entertainment. You can also sample a wide range of restaurants or get pampered in the many spas and beauty salons.

If you're feeling luck, the George Street end of the mall features the Conrad Treasury Casino. Other than the gaming tables and machines, the Casino offers round the clock restaurants, bars, and free entertainment.

Highlights of the Queen Street Mall include the Brisbane Arcade, a 3-level, heritage-listed site that dates back to 1923. You can find the outlets of Brisbane's most celebrated fashion designers here.

And finally there's the Southbank. This celebrated parklands and leisure zone seems such an integral part of Brisbane that it's hard to believe the place didn't exist until it was developed for the 1988 World Expo.

It stands across the river from the CBD and offers a sandy beach, expansive picnic areas, shops and a whole bunch of dining spots. South bank buzzes all year round with a wide range of activities including live entertainment, festivals and fireworks. The Southbank Art & Craft Market runs from Friday to Sunday and features all manner of local crafts.

You'll also find the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art, the Maritime Museum, and the Queensland Museum and Science Centre here.

You'll also find a wide range of Brisbane city hotels to make your stay memorable. Two of the best are the Hotel Grand Chancellor Brisbane and the Riverside Hotel Southbank Brisbane.

Richard Greaves has over 20 years experience in the travel industry and writes for Cheaper than Hotels. Cheaper Than Hotels offers Brisbane hotels as Brisbane Manor Hotel and Best Western Astor Metropole Hotel and Apartments Brisbane.