ABout brisbane

Australia's "most liveable city", Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, the Sunshine State. While Brisbane is a vibrant but relaxed city with so much to see and do, it is also the gateway to the sun, surf and beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Standard time zone: UGT/GMT +10 hours.
No daylight saving time at present.

The weather in Brisbane is comfortable and sub-tropical. The city of Brisbane enjoys a very enviable climate of brilliant hot summers and clear mild winters. These enticing attributes ensure that Brisbane is idyllic for visitors all year round.  Seasons in Australia are the reverse of North America and Europe. For example, Christmas day usually spent at the beach or around the pool with a cool drink in hand!

Summer is December to February, Autumn March to May, Winter June to August, and Spring September to November.  Average Temperatures: Summer: 29C maximum, 21C minimum; Winter: 22C maximum, 10C minimum.  Water Temperature: Summer 25C , Winter 19C.

For more accurate Brisbane Weather information visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology

GETTING AROUND BRISBANE

Brisbane's excellent transport infrastructure makes it relatively easy to get from point A to point Z and virtually anywhere in between with minimal interruptions or changes. Buses, trains, CityCat Ferries, hire cars, taxis and even water taxis are all available at regular intervals throughout the day and night and there's little chance of you being stuck in the middle of nowhere and no way to get home.

The Queensland Government's transport website TransLink, provides a detailed trip planning guide with fare calculators, timetables and suggestions on the best way to get between (almost) any two points in Queensland, right down to how far you have to walk to the bus stop.

Translink Website: http://translink.com.au
13Cabs website with taxi fare calculator: https://www.13cabs.com.au/locations/brisbane/

WHAT TO DO IN BRISBANE

  • Brisbane City Hall clock tower tour - this iconic landmark is free to tour and is open to the public. For more information click here. 
  • Wheel of Brisbane - The Wheel of Brisbane offers a spectacular 360 degree panoramic view of Brisbane City from the heart of Brisbane's cultural, lifestyle and entertainment precinct, The Parklands, South Bank. For more information click here.
  • South Bank Precinct and Streets Beach - Australia's only beach in the middle of the city, Streets Beach is one of South Bank's most popular attractions. For more information click here.
  • Story Bridge Climb - The Story Bridge Adventure Climb is a soft adventure experience walk on top of the iconic structure. It's one of Brisbane's must-do leisure experiences and a spectacular way to discover the city and surrounding areas. For more information click here.
  • Loan Pine Koala Sanctuary - Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary is the world's first and largest koala sanctuary, with 80 years of experience and over 130 koalas. For more information click here.
  • QPAC - The Queensland Performing Arts Centre hosts world class entertainment in the Concert Hall, Lyric Theatre, Cremorne Theatre and the Playhouse. It's the second home to the state's leading performing arts companies - Queensland Theatre Company, Queensland Ballet, Queensland Orchestra and Opera Queensland. For more information click here.
  • Brisbane's Botanical Gardens - The Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha are Queensland's premier subtropical botanic gardens. These 52 hectare gardens are situated seven kilometres from the city centre, and offer a variety of environments and natural wildlife. For more information click here.
  • Mt Cootha - Panoramic views of the city, stretching out to Moreton Bay and around to the distant mountains can be seen from the observation deck at Brisbane Lookout Mt Coot-tha. These spectacular views are only a short drive from the city centre. At night, the city lights and star-lit skies are spread before you. For more information click here.

For more information on what to do in Brisbane and surrounding areas please click here.

RESTAURANTS

South Bank is one of Brisbane’s best dining hotspots with an array of cafes, pubs, bars, take-away restaurants and gourmet eateries to suit any taste. Just some of the precinct’s many cuisine styles include Turkish, Indian, Malaysian, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern Australian, Russian and Italian. Click here to view a list of South Bank Restaurants.

USEFUL LINKS

Australian Explorer - Travel Info for Brisbane: http://www.australianexplorer.com/brisbane_information.htm
Maps of Brisbane: http://www.brisbane-australia.com/maps.html
Visit Brisbane - https://www.visitbrisbane.com.au/things-to-do