Five reasons to get up with the sun in Brisbane

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Catch a sunrise at Mt Coot-tha Lookout
Rise and shine! Waking up with the sun, or in this case, before, has never been more worth it. Mount Coot –tha, Brisbane’s iconic lookout spot is 15 minutes’ drive west from the hotel. There, you can watch the sunrise over the ocean and slowly light up Brisbane. Take a picnic blanket, bring some breakfast & coffee and admire the sunrise in all its glory from Mount Coot -tha’s grassy lookout area. You can even get a closer look through one of the telescopes. Getting there is very easy, with the bus 471 taking you all the way to the top. Alternatively, you can opt to drive or bicycle there.

Brisbane’s café and coffee culture
There is nothing quite like walking into a bustling café, hearing the coffee machines hiss while wrapping your hands around a freshly made ‘flat white’. In case you are wondering what a ‘flat white’ is, there is really only one explanation: Australia’s coffee and café culture is unlike any other, with many Australian cities taking extreme pride in the art of making coffee. You will find many cafes dotted all around Brisbane, but the majority is centred in and around South Bank, West End and the Brisbane CBD. West End is only a short walk away from South Bank and our favourite places are the newly developed West Village and the Boundary Street Markets.

Get active in South Bank
Are you ready to break a sweat? If you wander around Brisbane in the mornings, you will find plenty of people exercising. And what better way to make use of the milder mornings! Medibank is currently offering their extremely popular ‘Feel Good’ program again, which includes Yoga, Zumba, Tai Chi and many more classes. South Bank is just about the best spot to exercise too, with its South Bank Parklands and stunning views of the Bougainvillea Archway and the Brisbane river. Getting up early will also help beat the crowds at the South Bank lagoon, which is a popular attraction during the day for locals and tourists alike. Australia’s only man-made, inner city lagoon boasts a sparkling blue water pool and a white sandy beach to make your mornings the highlight of your day.

Shop for treasurers at the Collective Markets & Farmer’s Markets
Mornings are perfect for checking out Brisbane’s many farmers & art markets. Apart from great specials on the freshest Queensland fruit and veggies, markets are perfect for discovering local handicraft and you are guaranteed to find a special gift for a loved one too! The Brisbane Collective Markets are on every Friday, Saturday and Sunday and you can find them in the middle of South Bank plaza, next to the lagoon. Shop for art, crafts and clothing. While you are there, use the early morning to your advantage and snap a photo of the popular ‘Brisbane’ sign just outside of the Queensland Performing Arts Center without having to share the glory with anyone.

Getting up early really does have so many advantages and if you are now thinking ‘Yes, I’m ready to become a morning person’, there isn’t a better place in Brisbane than South Bank to soak up all the morning magic. Ample recreational areas, close proximity to the Brisbane River and a multitude of cafes and restaurants speak to the South Bank offering. If you are ready to discover South Bank for yourself, we have some great deals on accommodation on offer at Novotel Brisbane South Bank. Until soon, and rise and shine!