Brisbane is a lively, cosmopolitan city with excellent restaurants, beautiful riverside parks, a busy cultural calendar and a great nightlife. Its fantastic weather year-round has allowed outdoor activities to thrive and develop a vibrant café culture.
The city is surrounded by some of the state’s major tourist attractions, and there is an abundant choice of daytrips whether it be to the coast for the golden beaches, or inland for some of Queensland’s serene bushland, there is something for everybody.
Australian Dollar (AUD) $1 = 100 cents
Police, fire, ambulance: 000
Poisons Information:
+61 13 11 26
The Courier Mail
The Australian
The Weekend Australian
Sunday Mail
Quest Newspaper
Brisbane News
City retailers trade Mon - Thu 9am - 6 pm, Fri 9am - 9pm, Sat & Sun 9am - 5pm
2.2 million
Visitor Information Centre
Queen Street Mall
+61 7 3006 6290
The City
The capital of the “Sunshine State,” Brisbane, could very well be the world’s most laidback city: its residents are friendly and optimistic in a way rarely seen in big city life. But with such a fantastic lifestyle, who can blame them for smiling?
Brisbane has a world of experience to offer, from the hustle and bustle of the Central Business District (CBD), you can escape to the creative ambiance of the contemporary arts centre - The Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm. Perhaps you’d prefer dinner with sights of the city at South Bank? Afterwards, if you’d like a stiff drink, head towards the trendy bars of Fortitude Valley and West End.
If you don’t dance the night away, you might be up early enough to watch the sun rise as you kayak on the Brisbane River. Or perhaps you’d prefer relaxing at Australia’s only inner city beach at South Bank. If you still have the energy, you can try rock climbing and take in the views of the Story Bridge and the city skyline from the Kangaroo Point Cliffs.
When you’re ready to relax, head down to Woolloongabba to enjoy some of the spectator sports that Queensland is famed for!
Do & See
If you don’t dance the night away, you might be up early enough to watch the sun rise as you kayak on the Brisbane River. Or perhaps you’d prefer relaxing at Australia’s only inner city beach at South Bank.
Rob D - Stock Photos/Shutterstock.com
Mount Coot-tha
Ijam Hairi/Shutterstock.com
Springbrook and Tamborine Rainforest Tour
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
Dining
One of the many highlights of any visit to Brisbane is experiencing the epicurean delights of the city’s different neighbourhoods. Brisbane is immeasurably proud of its reputation for fine dining, and within a ten minute radius of the town centre you can choose between the kitchens of European, Mediterranean, Asian or contemporary Australian restaurants.
KDR In-Focus Productions/Shutterstock.com
Cru Bar
petereleven/Shutterstock.com
Julius Pizzeria
Mateusz Gzik/Shutterstock.com
Moda
Andrey Bayda/Shutterstock.com
Montrachet
GongTo/Shutterstock.com
Cafes
In Brisbane you will have many options of enjoying a great cup of coffee in the sun along with a sweet treat.
annokhotska/Shutterstock.com
The Gun Shop Café
Viktoriia Photographer/Shutterstock.com
Marchetti Cafe
Gaus Alex/Shutterstock.com
Scout Cafe
Atstock Productions/Shutterstock.com
Bar Merlo
Yuliya Gontar/Shutterstock.com
Sassafras
DisobeyArt/Shutterstock.com
Bars & Nightlife
Brisbane is scattered with great pubs, you’ll realise this the moment you learn that most of the “hotels” which you see are actually drinking establishments. Beers are served in pots, schooners, pints and jugs and the beer taps in many bars will be specially chilled, causing the condensation to freeze on the outside. Most hotels are open 10.30 am - 3am, and the traditional “Sunday Session” runs from 11am to midnight.
Nomad_Soul/Shutterstock.com
Norman Hotel
Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com
The Beat Megaclub
Jacob Lund/Shutterstock.com
Story Bridge Hotel
Kondor83/Shutterstock.com
Breakfast Creek Hotel
Joshua Resnick/Shutterstock.com
Buffalo Bar
Maksim Fesenko/Shutterstock.com
Lychee Lounge
Thoom/Shutterstock.com
Jade Buddha
Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock.com
The Bowery
Master1305/Shutterstock.com
Embassy Craft Beer Bar
Dejan Stanic Micko/Shutterstock.com
Vue Lounge
Pavel L Photo and Video/Shutterstock.com
Laruche
Rawpixel.com/Shutterstock.com
Shopping
Brisbane offers good shopping in fact there are more than 1000 stores, four vibrant precincts and the state’s largest collection of flagship stores. The city also boasts an array of hidden gems around every corner, from minor and fashion-forward stores to stylish arcades and luxury retailers. You will definitely find what you are looking for whether it is a famous international brand or a local designer brand.
George Rudy/Shutterstock.com
The Queen Street Mall
Creative Lab/Shutterstock.com
QueensPlaza
Itsra Sanprasert/Shutterstock.com
Local Designers
Torpy/Shutterstock.com
Fortitude Valley
Rishiken/Shutterstock.com
South Bank Lifestyle Markets
Arina P Habich/Shutterstock.com
Farmers Markets
Pressmaster/Shutterstock.com
Brookside Shopping Centre
Alexpunker/Shutterstock.com
Woolloongabba Antique Centre
Laborant/Shutterstock.com
The Vintage Watch Co.
Sonpichit Salangsing/Shutterstock.com
The Myer Centre
Don Pablo/Shutterstock.com
Avid Reader Bookshop & Cafe
Pawel Papis/Shutterstock.com
Tourist Information
Passport/Visa
Unless you are a New Zealand citizen granted visa exemption on arrival (in most cases), you will need to obtain a visa prior to visiting Australia. Citizens of all European Union countries, as well as Andorra, Norway, Iceland, San Marino, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Monaco, and Vatican City are eligible for an eVisitor visa, which can be applied for online. For citizens of the United States, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Brunei, South Korea and Malaysia, the Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) entry permit is available, which can be applied for online and grants holders the right to enter Australia an ulimited amount of times for stays of no longer than 3 months per visit.
Citizens of all other world countries (with the exception of Somalia) are also able to apply for a visitor visa online. For more information, visit the official website of the Australian government's department of home affairs: https://www.homeaffairs.gov.au/lega/lega/form/immi-faqs/what-visa-do-i-need-to-visit-australia
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Best Time To Visit
Since March to May are the autumn months in Australia, it is best to visit Brisbane during that time. You will avoid holiday crowds while still being able to enjoy the warm weather and a low chance of rain. Temperatures will generally be around 24 °C.
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Airport
Brisbane Airport is located 13 km from the city centre (app. 15-20 min drive). Trains run every 30 minutes between 6 am and 8 pm. The journey takes 20 minutes and pre-booking is available.
Address: Airport Drive, Brisbane
Email:
Phone: +61 7 3406 3000
Website: www.bne.com.au
More Information:
Public Transport
A free bus service runs around the City (CBD). Tickets for the TransLink network can be bought from vending machines. Weekly tickets are valid throughout South East Queensland. Buses are low floor, and Citytrain offer assistance with wheelchairs.
Address:
Email:
Phone: +61 13 12 30
Website: www.translink.com.au
More Information:
Pharmacy
There are multiple Pharmacies and Chemists located in the immediate city centre as well as outside of Brisbane.
Chemist Warehouse Brisbane
103 Edward St, Brisbane
+61 7 3220 2041
chemistwarehouse.com.au
Priceline Pharmacy Anzac Square
202 Adelaide Street, Brisbane
+61 7 3221 1541
priceline.com.au
Direct Chemist Outlet Brisbane Airport
Skygate Shop 13 The Village Markets 1-5 The Circuit, Brisbane
+61 7 3123 9255
directchemistoutlet.com.au
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Post
There are several Australia Post offices located all over the town, where stamps can be bought, and where mail and packages can be sent from.
Address: 261 Queen Street, Brisbane
Email:
Phone: +61 13 13 18
Website:
More Information:
Taxi
Rates vary with the actual locations, traffic conditions, time of day and the route chosen. Save on fares by sharing a Maxi-taxi from special ranks in the CBD and in the Valley. Wheelchair accessible taxis are available. At night secure ranks operate in the CBD, the Valley and Caxton Street.
Black & White Cabs: +61 13 32 22
Yellow Cabs: +61 13 19 24
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Telephone
Country code: +61
Area code Queensland: 07
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information:
Electricity
240 Volts / 50 Hz
Address:
Email:
Phone:
Website:
More Information: