Brisbane River, River system in Queensland, Australia
Brisbane River flows over 344 kilometers from the mountains of southeastern Queensland down to Moreton Bay at the Coral Sea. Within the city itself, the waterway widens into a tidal estuary that serves as the central feature of the metropolitan area.
An English officer named John Oxley discovered the river in 1823 while pursuing escaped convicts and named it after the Governor of New South Wales at that time. This discovery began the period of European settlement in the region and transformed the river's role from a traditional resource to a colonial center.
The Turrbal people depended on this waterway for fishing and held deep spiritual bonds with it. Visitors walking along the banks today can sense how important the river remains to the identity of the region and its inhabitants.
Ferries run regularly through the metropolitan area, stopping at multiple terminals along the water. The riverbanks are easy to explore on foot, or visitors can take a boat ride to see the city from the water.
Bull sharks regularly swim upstream from the bay into the river and thrive in the salty waters within the city. This makes the waterway an unusual habitat for these large predators to inhabit in an urban setting.
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