Brisbane is perfect for anyone looking to start life in Australia with an urban lifestyle.

Brisbane

About Brisbane

Brisbane has sunny days and cool nights and as Australia's only subtropical capital it has been dubbed the 'City of Sunny Days'. To the south of Brisbane is the Gold Coast, a long stretch of golden sandy beaches, resorts, theme parks and wildlife reserves. To the north is the Sunshine Coast. Arguably the state's biggest attraction, the Great Barrier Reef is home to over a thousand islands, accessible by sea from Port Douglas, Cairns, Townsville, Airlie Beach, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone and Bundaberg. Some islands can still be reached by small planes and seaplanes, as is the case with Hayman and Hamilton Island. An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty north of Mackay, the 74 islands of the Whitsundays offer boat trips and reef tours.

You have three options for getting around Brisbane: bus, train and ferries (Citycat or CityFerry are boats that pass through the city on the river). Bus prices, routes and timetables can be found on the official Translink website. In it, you can put your location where you want to go and follow the most convenient route. Fares are based on distance travelled, but if you're only staying in the city centre, there are free bus options.

Brisbane is known for one of the most pleasant climates in Australia! Summer is hot; winter is short and mild. During the whole year, the weather is almost cloudless.

Summer – maximum of 29°C and minimum of 20°C

Winter – maximum of 24°C and minimum of 10°C

There are several telephone companies and the truth is that the prices do not change much between them, but we recommend Optus and Vodafone. For an idea of spending, a prepaid plan charges an average of 2 AUD for the chip. We recommend taking the 40 AUD monthly plan, which entitles you to unlimited calls and text messages within the national territory and 20GB of internet.

Because it's a big city, you can find all kinds of cuisines and all kinds of prices. A great area to find cool restaurants is in the South Bank. There is a street behind that is full of restaurants and cafes, with all types of prices. If you like chocolate, be sure to stop by Max Brenner. A delight.

Restaurants:

Telephone and Internet:

Shopping:

If you plan to save for everyday purchases, the Aldi supermarket can be a good option to stock your fridge. It's further from the center than other famous markets like Woolworths or Coles, but the final price reflects that difference too.

We recommend Target, David Jones, K-mart or Big W for household items, makeup, and even books. The last two are cheaper and you will find amazing deals.

Now, if you are looking for new clothes, there are stores in Brisbane that have a selection of designer clothes at very affordable prices. The city itself has a DFO Outlet and the Gold Coast has a Harbor Town Outlet, which is less than an hour by train from central Brisbane. In addition to them, you can check out the many stores on Queen Street, which have affordable options for all tastes.

West End Market

The West End Markets are one of Brisbane's most vibrant community markets. Held every Saturday morning in iconic Davies Park along the Brisbane River.

Lone Pine Park

The world's first and largest koala sanctuary. Hold a koala, hand-feed kangaroos and meet a variety of Australian wildlife in beautiful natural settings.

Roma Park

An oasis of designer gardens and sprawling lawns, it's also a popular visitor destination, home to free barbecues, picnic spots, two playgrounds and a year-round calendar of events.

Short Tours:

There are many unmissable leisure options, so we made a list for you:

Explore Paris and the South Bank Artificial Beach Shop at the West End Market on a Saturday morning Explore the South Bank Museums Enjoy a day at Roma Park, the city's largest park Take the Citycat ride from start to finish and explore the entire waterfront Walk or cycle the bike path along the river Go to the south bank at night for restaurants and pubs Visit the inlandoopilly mall and cinema, it's the best mall in town! Visit the Central Botanical Gardens Visit Lone Pine Park, Kangaroo and Koala Sanctuary

If you plan on going to Lone Pine more than once, you must get an annual pass. The value is cheaper than multiple entries and the card even gives you a 20% discount in some shops and restaurants in the area. By the way, any attraction that includes a ticket and an annual pass is worth it, because if you live in the city for a long time, you will most likely visit the place more than once.

Extra tip: