The Thousands

Often referred to a ‘big country town’ Brisbane’s a place where people can pursue ideas. Here, you can make it happen and no one – other than maybe the po-po – will tell you that you can’t. It's is a pond big enough for fish of all sizes, with plenty of room for the bigger ones to get about their business (often due to the help of the smaller ones).

Even though Brisbane is a young city, there is a strong sense of community and heritage. It’s not uncommon to run into the same person twice in one week or be on first name basis with the people who serve you your coffee.

The warm climate affords Brisbane’s laid-back mentality, for as much as we’d love to layer (fashionably speaking), sometimes it’s impossible not to wear the bare minimum when the sun is pounding the footpath. In summer it’s an effort not to get a tan, and if it drops below 15 degrees in winter, excuse us for dressing as Eskimos. Still, despite the denial of actual seasons, fashion is alive and well in Brisbane, home to one of the best graduate fashion courses and some of the most innovative boutiques in the country.

With world-famous beaches within an hours reach, it’s not surprising to find sand in the bottom of your bag or your pockets most of the year round. The persistent sunshine and a penchant for beer-swilling work to support the city's thriving music scene.

Getting Around

FROM THE AIRPORT

From the airport you’ll want to get the Airtrain if travelling alone, however it doesn't run 24 hours, and it’s comparative in price with two or more people to catch a cab into the CBD. Depending on traffic, it can also be quicker.

IN THE CITY

Once at your accommodation, there are plenty of things to see and do within walking distance. If you pack, borrow or invest in a bike helmet you can make use of the city’s new CityCycle bike rental scheme – with 150 stations around the inner city you can pick up and drop off a bike 24 hours a day.

IN THE BURBS

Brisbane did away with trams in 1969 but there is no shortage of buses – they run frequently between the Valley and the CBD and connect in every direction to the suburbs. There are some free-of-charge ‘free loop’ buses around the CBD – not a bad way to scope out the city.

As Brisbane is the 'River City', water transport is often the way to go – the CityCat ferries are a fast, thrilling and fuss-free way to get around the bend.

BEYOND

Depending on which way you’re headed, trains are a super-reliable way to travel and can even connect you with the Gold and Sunshine coasts – but if you plan on taking a trip we’d recommend looking into car hire for that added wide-open-road feeling.

BUDGET AIRLINES

Budget airlines Virgin Australia, Jetstar and Tiger Airways will all get you to Brisbane with change to spare.