Brisbane is a warm city in more ways than one. Its people are friendly and open-minded, and it boasts 300 days of sunshine each year. That means you can enjoy the parks, markets and riverside bars all year round!
Keep up with key Council projects and events in Brisbane with our Living in Brisbane e-newsletter. Or, if you’re a business owner, get top tips on how to register your business with Council. Here are some of the best features of Brisbane community.
- The Zoo
From the world's largest koala sanctuary to zoos operated by America's Crocodile Hunter, Brisbane has a variety of wildlife encounters to offer visitors.
The Australia Zoo, an hour north of Brisbane in Beerwah/Glass House Mountains on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, is a world-class animal park that's dedicated to conservation. It was founded by Bob and Lyn Irwin and opened in 1970 as the Beerwah Reptile Park. Their children, Steve and Terri, went on to become famous for their television shows on the subject of reptiles and birds.
The zoo offers a wide range of animal experiences including a walk-through aviary and Australia's largest underwater aquarium, Shark Reef. The park also features a large stadium called the Crocoseum that hosts snake, bird and crocodile shows. The most popular is the Wildlife Warriors show, hosted by a member of the Irwin family. Other highlights include the feed of wild rainbow lorikeets that soar through the air and the Crocodile Feeding Frenzy. The zoo also has a huge range of other animals from around the country and offers keeper talks and feeding opportunities throughout the day.
- The Story Bridge
The Story Bridge is a steel cantilever bridge that crosses the Brisbane River in central Brisbane. It was built during the Great Depression and opened in 1940. It was originally known as the Brisbane River Bridge but it was later renamed after John Douglas Story, a senior public servant who had been a strong advocate for its construction. It featured tolls until 1947.
The bridge is now a major cultural landmark for the city and features prominently in its annual Riverfire display and illuminated at night. It also closes to road traffic on special occasions such as its anniversary. These events attract thousands of people who enjoy food, drink and entertainment on lanes usually reserved for vehicles. The bridge has also become a popular spot for tourists to experience the Story Bridge Climb.
The Story Bridge Hotel is a local pub that has been a staple for generations of Brisbane residents. It was first built as the Kangaroo Point Hotel in 1886 but it was re-named The Story Bridge Hotel in 1940 to coincide with the actual opening of the bridge. Today the hotel is managed by Barrie Deery’s son and daughter Richard and Jane and it continues to be a favourite spot for quick drinks, delicious meals and good company.
- The River
The Brisbane River snakes its way right through the city and defines many of its neighbourhoods. It provides the major source of water supply for a city of 2.2 million people on the world’s driest continent, it carries freight and passengers as part of an amazing public transport system (including the 16 CityCat ferries), and it helps define the character of this beautiful riverside city.
It also creates memories for locals: lovers stroll hand-in-hand along the bank, ferry commuters watch the sunrise bathe the waters in a golden glow, and joggers race alongside the dramatic rush of an outgoing tide. Despite the fact that technology of various kinds separated the people of this city from their river for more than a century, the citizens of the 'River City' have taken it back into their hearts in recent decades.
You can get up close and personal with the Brisbane River on a boat tour with Riverlife, or you can take a dip in one of the riverside pools. And if you’re up for some adventure, why not hire a paddle board or kayak and explore the rocky cliffs of Kangaroo Point?
- The Sports
With 20 public swimming pools, many kilometres of bikeways and ovals and major stadiums, Brisbane is a keen sporting city. The city has been ranked as Australia’s number one sports town and 15th in the world, and hosting the 2032 Olympics will further enhance that reputation.
The sports obsession reaches right down to community level, with local teams for nearly every sport imaginable. If you’re into soccer (or “footy” as it’s called here), there are plenty of clubs to join, ranging from the Milo Play to Learn program all the way up to the senior competitions. There are even a few futsal clubs, which is similar to soccer but played indoors and with smaller balls.
And if you’re into American sports, don’t worry, there are plenty of bars in Brisbane to watch all the big games. You can head to Buffalo Bar in Fortitude Valley to get your fix, and they offer great deals on drinks throughout the week for NFL fans. They also show all the big rugby and cricket games. And for those that prefer a more relaxing activity, you can try out pickleball, which is a combination of badminton, tennis and table tennis.
- The Nightlife
From sophisticated galleries to subtropical beaches, Queensland’s capital delivers gasp-inducing contrasts. The renowned Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts is a favourite, hosting regular amazing theatre and cabaret events. Rent and living expenses are cheaper in Brisbane, meaning you’ll have more money to splash on fun activities and experiences.
The nightlife scene is less raucous than in Fortitude Valley but there’s still plenty to get your groove on. Boutique bars bursting with good vibes like Prohibition and Suzie Wong attract a classy crowd. In West End, Boundary Street and Montague Hotel channel vintage and alternative local style. The craft beer scene is strong in Brisbane, with breweries such as Archive Beer Boutique, Catchment Brewing Company and Brisbane Brewing Company all worth checking out.
The cosy laneways of Eat Street Northshore take the best of Melbourne’s cool and pair it with Brisbane’s outstanding weather. The vendors serve up dishes from all over the world, including Hungarian langosas, Shanghai dumplings and Peruvian paella. Wash it all down with a refreshing craft beer from the bar, and finish the evening with a comedy knockoff at the Powerhouse.
