Brisbane

With an easygoing spirit typical of a sun drenched city, a nightlife that has warranted its own label and the fastest growing population in the country, Brisbane no longer carries the reputation of a sleepy backwater. Small enough to be friendly and big enough to be entertaining, Brisbane is a city with a diversity of living styles and experiences that rival any cosmopolitan Mecca.

The city is an urban metropolis amongst rainforest wilderness, rising out of dense forests and mountains on one side and mangroves on the other. The city centre is compact, covering just a single bend of the Brisbane River. Some of Brisbane’s 1800’s history remains here, with colonial sandstone buildings set amongst glass skyscrapers and office buildings that tower into the sky. The city spreads out into leafy green suburbs that extend further down the river.

Being a subtropical city gives Brisbane some other powerful drawcards, including fantastic weather. This city boasts the most stable climate in the country, with warm summers and mild winters. Even on the coldest days, the sun still shines and the temperature doesn’t usually drop below 15°C.

With such a warm climate, most of Brisbane’s 1.5 million residents are the outdoors type. When the weather turns sticky there’s no better place to be than on the water, or under the shade of one of the parks and gardens around the city. The Brisbane crowd loves their sport, and there are loads of world class sporting facilities to accommodate this obsession. This includes the famous Brisbane Cricket Ground, otherwise known as The Gabba.

When the sun goes down, Brisbane is where Aussie hedonism meets Las Vegas glamour! The sun, the tourists and the unending need for a night out on the town have given rise to a glitzy culture unique to this urban nightspot. Nicknamed Bris Vegas by the locals, the city has live music clubs, bars and even discos that can be found all throughout the city.

While there is a thriving club scene, Brisbane is also the arts capital of Queensland. With heaps of theatres, concert halls, galleries and museums, you don’t need to worry if you’re after something a bit more high class.

The people of this growing city are a friendly lot, making it an attractive destination for people from far away lands. More than twenty percent of Brisbane’s population was born overseas, forming a melting pot of cultures. The cosmopolitan vibe of the city extends to its cuisine, with dishes from all over the world available in a plethora of restaurants and cafes throughout the city.

You can get around the city on Brisbane’s buses and trains but the easiest way, if more expensive, is to catch a taxi. These will take you anywhere you want to go, unlike the public transport. If you want to cross the Brisbane River, there is a ferry service that runs along both banks. Otherwise, there are cycle ways all around the city if you really want to soak in the outdoor spirit.

Brisbane is a metropolitan oasis with a character all of its own. Its mix of cosmopolitan chic, easy outdoors spirit and flashy nightlife endear the city to visitors and locals alike.