I used to live in a share house on Hill End Tce, which along with the titular Orleigh St fronts…read moreonto this long and languid riverside recreational area. It was probably the best part of living there, being able to cross the road into a lush shaded hill right on the water. And the renters and homeowners aren't the only ones who can enjoy this feature of their respective abodes, with the area being a favourite hitching spot for scores of backpackers and other wanderers who took advantage on the apparent police amnesty on squatting here in their vans and station wagons. The park is also home to a few friendly (and vehicle-less) local itinerants, like old John, who can be seen wandering shirtless through the suburb with his long Jesus-like locks flapping in the breeze. Apart from the usual barbecue goers, picnicers, parents and children playing, dog walkers, joggers and the like, Orleigh Park also attracts keen anglers, with catches including Rainbow Perch, Catfish and the infamous Brisbane River Bull SHARKS (another reason not to go swimming in the brown water). Last time I visited the park for a friend's birthday picnic, we saw a couple of guys pull in an 80cm baby shark, which they released back into the river. Some of the less discerning fishermen will even eat their catches.

Well done Brisbane City Council - this park has lush green grass, huge spreading trees, shade and…read morewide open spaces for frisbee/cricket, toilets, BBQs, shelter, a well maintained path, plenty of parking, plenty of public transport access and happy people. The park celebrates the river and the good people celebrate it. I love how multicultural the visitors are here. Orleigh is one big beautiful melting pot of West End leisure. Oh and I forgot the Free WiFi!

This park is itty bitty people so don't be planning any volleyball or outdoor cricket! Sir Manuel…read moreHornibrook Park (I chuckle at the name every time like a 12 year old) is located on the Teneriffe Boardwalk next to Healthworks and is a gorgeous little green with perfect, uninterrupted views of the river. It's a great place to meet a couple of friends for a relaxed catch up, or even to take a special someone on a picnic date (hint hint, men of Brisbane). My girlfriends and I meet there regularly with fish and chips in the early evening to discuss lots of secret girls business. This park is leafy and sunny and gorgeous! A perfect place to stop and smell the roses (or Birds of Paradise, as the case might be).

Friendly staff, lots of local knowledge. Great range. I didn't know about somethings but the staff…read moreare helpful not pushy and lovely. I got some great tips and local knowledge about fishing in the bay

I've bought presents for all the fishing blokes in my family over the last few years. The owners…read moreare really friendly and have given me advice over the years on what bait to use to catch a fish off Manly, a lure for a deep sea fishing bro-in-law, and crabbing stuff for my Dad; even cool thongs for another outlaw. The shop is right at the BP servo on top of Manly hill and if you're there early any day you can watch the passing parade of boats. Often the skippers will duck into the Water Tower Bait and Tackle for some last minute bits. Oh, I also bought the sharpest filleting knife I've ever owned there.

I have the utmost appreciation for the Oxley area for the wonderful variety of parks it has. One of…read morethe most popular just borders off Oxley, called Dunlop Park. It is popular for all the right reasons. First of all, there is the local swimming pool where numerous children in the area have come to learn how to swim, attend school swim events or swim recreationally. This big park boasts two playgrounds, a half court basketball court, cricket pitch and a soccer field. There is plenty of space for the kids to run around and plenty of trees around to provide shade for rests. There is a BBQ with shaded picnic table and chairs nearby, which is perfect for family days out. Also if you have a dog, you can bring them to the dog park where they can run around unleashed and play with the hoops, ramps and hurdles. You can park your car off the streets of Oxley Road, such as Hughes St. Alternatively commuting here by train is also convenient as it is nearby.

Cafe on the Bridge was the scene for the half-way mark on a recent ride. Fitting really that my…read morehalf way mark would involve coffee in one way or another. But I digress. As 80s music (Wilson Philips) played I was welcomed by a huge smile and friendly chat about the day so far (Anzac Day). Serving Merlo Coffee, this coffee cart is full of home made cakes, slices and on this particular day Anzac Biscuits for 40c. 40c! My coffee was perfect and this may have been the result of a relaxing moment watching the view from the Goodwill Bridge. The Cafe on the Bridge is the perfect spot to take someone new to Brisbane, meet friends before strolling to South Bank or for a quick break before jumping back on your fixie.

One of a kind cafe. A bespoke experience to be had with a view over the river and a car/ smoke/…read morehorn-free setting. If there was a cafe strictly accessible by bicycle and foot, this would be the one of few with the best vista in Brisbane.

Crockatt Park is another favourite spot for families and friends to gather at to have an afternoon…read moreout by the bay. I have spent many hours with family and friends here lapping up a lazy Sunday. The park has newly renovated facilities that include several new gazebos with electric barbecues, toilets, walkways and playgrounds. One of the favourite installations for children in the park is the flying fox. Close by there are some takeaway restaurants and coffee shops and also a bottle shop if you've run out of some good old ale or wine. There's also a jetty nearby where you can have a troll up or a fish off in the afternoon breeze. Be warned, it is a very popular spot, many birthdays and celebrations are spent here so its best to get in early and get a table or bring your own shade cover. However, once you're settled you're going to enjoy every minute.

The water looked a bit suspicious but the views, day and night, were pretty nice along the length…read morewe walked. Going east into town; http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/-291b0icXW_k2UNYJNiWBw?select=6ozJY9nV9r4dfqP8Czu6IA#6ozJY9nV9r4dfqP8Czu6IA Going west to the convention center; http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/-291b0icXW_k2UNYJNiWBw?select=1pJjcmdAPt1UwRSHhoE1YQ#1pJjcmdAPt1UwRSHhoE1YQ All shots taken handheld in auto-mode, go Sony!

It is hard to live in Brisbane and not appreciate the Brisbane River running through the city. It…read moreis iconic and acts like the main artery of the city. Whether it is Riverfire, or New Years Eve, the River is the centre of attraction with families friends and the community gathering together to watch Everyone I know has a memory of the river, whether it is jumping in near the UQ colleges in a ballgown after Emmanuel ball, waking up in the wee hours of the morning to practice rowing along the river, gracefully catching the CityCat and watching the tourists snap photos of the Brisbane City Skyscrapers, or watching as the river burst its banks and flooded half the city. One of my fondest memories is sitting on a friend's boat on New Years Eve and watching the fireworks reflect off the surface of the water. It is hard to sum up the history and importance of this river to Brisbane, or mention all the things you can do on the river like rowing or even just walking along the Riverwalk. The Brisbane River really is something special to the city and while it is not the most perfect, clean river in the world, it is ours and I wouldn't change it for anything.

Love this park. Lots of kids call it the 'lighthouse park' because it has this fantastic play…read morefeature about four metres high with an internal spiral staircase. There are other play areas too, big green spaces for kicking a ball around, and lots of barbecues, all within a stone's throw of the waterfront. This park is always popular and busy, but really comes alive each year for special events, including a massive Australia Day brekky and the Spring Festival, when rides and fireworks are the go.