Turning the pages of an American entertainment Bible turned up an Australian surprise – Brisbane’s music scene is hot.

     The city was once listed in the top-five hotspots for music by the world’s oldest entertainment magazine - Billboard.

     That recognition gives Brisbane a ''Hollywood dream'' quality, but not on a star-studded budget, it is affordable for every wallet from a room in cheap hotel in Brisbane to one abundant with all possible luxuries. Find something for yourself at Booked.net, a website with all you need to know all about hotels in Brisbane from photos, maps and secure forms.

     Its climate makes it a city for picnickers and outdoor living, and it is renowned for free barbeques alongside the Brisbane River, it attracts about 1000 visitors a week with award-winning wine choices.

     Once considered a poor cousin to the larger Melbourne and Sydney, Brisbane catches soft breezes, while the former drown with rain. A city of warm temperatures, sometimes reaching a radical 40degC in summer, Brisbane is a sun-soaked destination year round. A city with the spirit of a small community, it is home to one million people, whose hospitality is reflected in white smiles and tanned faces.

     Crossed by CityCats, or water taxi, Brisbane is named the River City, a record-breaking destination for the quantity of bridges – nine within one city, each with its own style and unique architecture. Aside from the bridges, attractions include;

- Brisbane City Hall and the adjacent King George Square, are a number one landmark and a first for all visitors

- The Wheel of Brisbane will give you magnificent views of the river from more than 60m high and is perfect to take in the cityscape in brief

- The Museum of Brisbane traces the history of the city and preserves some works of local artists

- New Farm Park is a historical green area where large amounts of locals come to have a picnic and take it easy

     A child of the gold rush, Brisbane was established in 1859 and was given the honor of being named after Sir Thomas Makdougall Brisbane, the sixth Governor of New South Wales.

     Today, it is the third largest city in Australia, and has come to the world’s attention several times for major events. It hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games, the 1988 World Expo and the 2001 Goodwill Games, each helped to draw tourists to the city.

     The music that attracted Billboard’s attention traces a long history from the Bee Gees to Savage Garden and current acts such as The Veronica’s and Pete Murray make it an Oz entertainment capital.

     To see and hear what Billboard was talking about, or simply sample some of that outdoor living and have a picnic, browse the Brisbane hotels listed at Booked.net.