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About Brisbane & QLD

About Brisbane | About Queensland

About Brisbane

Australia's "most liveable city", Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, the Sunshine State. While Brisbane is a vibrant but relaxed city with so much to see and do, it is also the gateway to the sun, surf and beaches of the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

Brisbane in relation to other states in Australia

Brisbane Weather

Standard time zone: UGT/GMT +10 hours
No daylight saving time at present

The weather in Brisbane is comfortable and sub-tropical. The city of Brisbane enjoys a very enviable climate of brilliant hot summers and clear mild winters. These enticing attributes ensure that Brisbane is idyllic for visitors all year round.  Seasons in Australia are the reverse of North America and Europe. For example, Christmas day usually spent at the beach or around the pool with a cool drink in hand!

Summer is December to February, Autumn (fall) March to May, Winter June to August, and Spring September to November.  Average Temperatures: Summer: 29C maximum (84F), 21C minimum (70F); Winter: 22C maximum (72F), 10C minimum (50F).  Water Temperature: Summer 25C (77F), Winter 19C (66F).

Temperature Conversion: For visitors more accustomed to using Farenheit for temperatures than Celsius, the simplest method for an approximate conversion is to double the Celsius temperature and add 32. Hence, 20 degrees Celsius = (2x20)+32 = 72 degrees Farenheit.

For more accurate Brisbane Weather information visit the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

Getting Around Brisbane

Brisbane's excellent transport infrastructure makes it relatively easy to get from point A to point Z and virtually anywhere in between with minimal interruptions or changes. Buses, trains, CityCat Ferries, hire cars, taxis and even water taxis are all available at regular intervals throughout the day and night and there's little chance of you being stuck in the middle of nowhere and no way to get home.

The Queensland Government's transport website TransLink, provides a detailed trip planning guide with fare calculators, timetables and suggestions on the best way to get between (almost) any two points in Queensland, right down to how far you have to walk to the bus stop.

Translink Website: http://translink.com.au
Yellow Cabs website with taxi fare calculator: http://yellowcab.com.au

Credit Cards

All banks have automated teller machines (ATMs) accessible 24-hours a day, generally outside the branch or in the foyer. Check with your card issuer that your charge or account-linked credit card can be used in this way, and at which bank as none accept every brand of card.

Currency

The Australian dollar is divided into 100 cents. One and two cent coins are no longer in circulation, but many items in shops and supermarkets are priced in odd amounts, such as $1.97 or $9.99. The law provides that the TOTAL bill is rounded up or down to the nearest 5 cents. So $19.97 becomes $19.95, $19.98 becomes $20.00. Coin denominations are 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c $1 and $2. Notes are $5, $10, $20, $50 and $100, colour coded and made from a plastic compound that will survive a wash or a swim.

Driving

Australians drive on the left, which can be disconcerting for visitors used to driving on the right side of the road. Roads are generally good and major routes well signposted. Speed limits and distances are expressed in kilometres and vary substantially from 50 kph in residential and heavy traffic areas to 110 kph on freeways. Drink driving is a serious offence and heavily policed. The legal limit of .05% is quite low - roughly equivalent to two small glasses of wine in the first hour and one an hour thereafter for men, less for women.

Restaurants

Dining out in Brisbane is very cosmopolitan from classy licensed restaurants to innovative BYO (Bring Your Own bottle of wine) restaurants to sidewalk coffee shops and cafes. Many restaurants specialise in local seafood with local mud crabs ('muddies') and Moreton Bay 'bugs' a specialty. You can choose from any number of Asian, Italian, Mexican and Mediterranean cuisine in the city or suburbs or dive into a McDonalds, Hungry Jacks, Pizza Hut or KFC for a quick fix.

Travellers Cheques

Travellers cheques, especially in foreign currencies, are generally NOT accepted EXCEPT by hotels and big stores and tourist shops. These display a 'travellers cheques welcome' sign. Cash your cheques at a bank or Bureau de Change to ensure you have enough spending money. The same holds true for foreign currency, which is not generally accepted by Australian businesses and shops.

Tipping

No service charge applies in Australia. Tipping is not mandatory but a tip in restaurants and hotel bars is optional for exceptional service.

Useful Links

Visit Brisbane - Brisbane's Official Tourism Website: www.visitbrisbane.com.au
Brisbane Visitors Information: www.brisbane.visitorsbureau.com.au/visitorinfo
Australian Explorer - Travel Info for Brisbane: www.australianexplorer.com/brisbane_information
Maps of Brisbane: www.brisbane-australia.com/maps
Brisbane Tours and Activities: www.brisbane.visitorsbureau.com.au/tours
Queensland Government Transinfo Website: www.transinfo.qld.gov.au
Yellow Cabs website with taxi fare calculator: www.yellowcab.com.au

Beautiful one day, perfect the next - that's Queensland. A place where vibrant modern cities are surrounded by some of the greatest natural wonders of the world.

About Queensland

Map of Queensland

Map courtesy of About-Australia.com.au

1. Brisbane

Click here for more info About Brisbane.

2. Gold Coast

Home of Surfers Paradise, beaches, resorts and theme parks.  Australia's famous holiday destination.

3. Sunshine Coast

Pristine rainforests, stunning views & charming villages make this one of Queensland's most scenically beautiful regions. Go to About-Australia for more information.

4. Fraser Coast

Best known for beautiful Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, this region is also Australia's whale watching capital.  Go to About-Australia for more information.

5. Bundaberg & Coral Isles

Best known for beautiful Fraser Island, the world's largest sand island, this region is also Australia's whale watching capital. Go to About-Australia for more information.

6. Toowoomba & Golden West

Toowoomba is Australia’s largest inland city. Enjoy tourist drives, pioneer history, museums, bushwalking and birdwatching.  Go to About-Australia for more information.

7. Western Downs

Inland of the ranges, the Western Downs is a superb touring region with a variety of unique country destinations.   Go to About-Australia for more information.

8. Southern Downs

Sample delicious stone fruits straight from the grower. Tour wineries and explore the region's rich history and heritage.  Go to About-Australia for more information.

9. Tropical North

A vast region made up of reefs, islands, mountains and wetlands. Cairns is the major centre and famous destination. Go to About-Australia for more information.

10. Townsville

Beside the stunning blue water of the Coral Sea and Great Barrier Reef with over 300 days of sunshine per year. Wow!  Go to About-Australia for more information.

11. Whitsundays

Breathtaking beauty of the Barrier Reef with hundreds of tropical islands & some of the Worlds most beautiful golden beaches.  Go to About-Australia for more information.

12. Mackay

Spectacular rainforests and national parks, secluded islands, beaches, pristine coral reefs, scenic drives & country hospitality.  Go to About-Australia for more information.

13. Capricorn

Spectacular rainforests and national parks, secluded islands, beaches, pristine coral reefs, scenic drives & country hospitality.  Go to About-Australia for more information.

14. Gladstone

Centre of the Southern Barrier Reef, The Gladstone Region enjoys a sub-tropical climate with islands & pristine beaches. Go to About-Australia for more information.

15. Outback Queensland

Centre of the Southern Barrier Reef, The Gladstone Region enjoys a sub-tropical climate with islands & pristine beaches.  Go to About-Australia for more information.