Brisbane
Australia · Country profile
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland and the great sub-tropical city of the Australian north-east, a sunny, laid-back metropolis that spreads its green suburbs along the bends of the Brisbane river before it reaches the sandy islands and the beaches of the eastern coast. The city has matured quickly in recent decades, and its riverfront culture, its rooftop bars, its galleries and its rapidly modernising centre give it a confident, youthful energy, while the great koala sanctuary of the region and the national parks of the surrounding hills keep the Australian outdoors close at hand. Brisbane is the natural gateway to the whole state, from the surf beaches and the islands of the Gold Coast and the Sunshine Coast to the reef and the rainforests of the far north, and its sub-tropical climate and relaxed pace make it one of the easiest Australian cities to enjoy.
About Brisbane
Brisbane is a city in Australia. The city's documented population is around 2,750,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD) and English is spoken; the dialling code is +61. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Brisbane Airport.
The River, the South Bank and the City of the Subtropics
Brisbane is a sunny, laid-back river city that has grown out of its reputation as the sleepy sibling of the coastal cities. The centre spreads its cafes, its galleries and its rooftop bars along the loops of the river, and the ferries and the bridges of the city give it a distinctive water-bound feel. It is a working, friendly, unpretentious city, green and warm, with the near-ocean islands and beaches of the region a short hour away. The city settles at its own easy pace, and visitors are best served by slowing down and taking the river, the parks and the casual neighbourhoods of the sub-tropical Brisbane over a checklist of sights.
The CityCat, the Summer Storms and the Seasons of the Coast
The climate is sub-tropical, with mild winters and hot, humid summers, and the summer storms of the afternoons are famous, so pack for the humidity and the rain. The river is the spine of the city, and the ferries of the CityCat are both the practical transport and the great way to see it, while the bike paths and the walkways of the river run the green recreation of the residents. The koala sanctuary of the region and the art galleries of the centre are the essential stops, and the islands and the beaches of the coast are the classic day trips. The Australian dollar is the currency and the cards work everywhere, and the city is safe and genuinely easy to get around.
The Koala Sanctuary, the Lookout and the Markets of the Weekends
The river of the city, with its loops, its parks, its pedestrian bridges and its ferry network, is the great organising feature, and the south bank of the river with its beaches, its galleries and its markets is the social heart of the centre. The view from the top of the mountain lookout, the green foothill with its lift and its panoramic restaurant, is the classic panorama of the whole city. The farm markets of the weekends, the laneway bars and the craft breweries of the neighbourhoods hold the modern social life, and the big sports grounds and the concert halls give the city its loud, cheerful weekends. The surrounding green, the islands and the surf are the natural extent of the trip.
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- Country
- Australia
- Population
- 2,750,000
- Coordinates
- -27.3842, 153.1175
- Capital
- Canberra
- Region
- Oceania
- Currency
- Australian Dollar (AUD)
- Languages
- English
- Calling code
- +61
- Country code
- AU
Entry requirements for Australia
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Australia for tourism.
Getting to Brisbane
Airports we list for Brisbane:
Other airports in the area:
Cities in Australia
Other cities we cover in Australia:
Frequently asked questions
Is Brisbane the capital of Australia?
No — the capital of Australia is Canberra.
What currency do I need in Brisbane?
The local currency is the Australian Dollar (AUD). Languages spoken in Australia include English.
What is the dialling code for Australia?
The international dialling code for Australia is +61.
Which airport should I fly into for Brisbane?
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is the airport we list for Brisbane.
How far is Brisbane from the nearest airport?
Brisbane is about 752 km from Sydney Airport.
Do I need a visa to visit Australia?
It depends on your passport. For the origins we track, the current tourism visa status is Morocco (visa required), United Kingdom (e-visa) and United States (e-visa). Check the entry requirements tool for your own nationality.
Flying out of Brisbane? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.