Travel Guide > Oceania > Australia > Queensland > Brisbane
Clean, friendly and sunny, Brisbane is a pleasant city in which to spend a few days before heading off to explore Queensland, or in which to recuperate after exploring. Brisbane is a rapidly growing modern metropolis which has given it greater stature in recent years, however it still retains the friendliness and relaxed atitude it has always been known for. Known locally as Brissie or Brisvegas, its the country's third largest city. For a city with less two milion inhabitants, it certainly has a lot to offer like world class art galleries, massive music venues and a bustling restaurant scene.
Brisbane, being one of the southernmost places in Queensland, has a subtropical climate. The wet season lasts from November to March, which is also the warmest period of the year, with temperatures around 30 °C during the day and around 20 °C at night. During winter (June to August) temperatures are still above 20 °C during the day dropping to around 12 °C on average at night. Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) are good months to visit Brisbane, with warm and relatively dry weather.
Brisbane International Airport (BNE) has direct international flights with destinations including several cities in New Zealand, Fiji, Hong Kong, Taipei, Tokyo, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Los Angeles.
Air Asia now services the Gold Coast from Kuala Lumpur as well, offering low cost flights. This can be cheap alternative compared to flying to Brisbane directly.
A number of local carriers (including low-cost airlines) fly to many destinations within Australia. Check airlines like Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Blue for more information about routes, schedules and prices.
Express trains, including the tilt train, and local trains connect Brisbane with Cairns, Sydney, and many other destinations along the East Coast. The XPT travels to and from Brisbane from Sydney and Melbourne.
Other trains to and from Brisbane, but within Queensland are:
Brisbane is easily reached from the north and south along good tarmac roads.
Greyhound is the main bus operator, providing services south to New South Wales and further on and also west towards the Northern Territory.
Brisbane Transport buses are fairly reasonably priced and cover the whole of the city.
The centre of Brisbane is compact enough to comfortably explore on foot.
A little backpacker ghetto has developed around Upper Roma/Quay Street, with a range of hostels including the official YHA, the characterful Yellow Submarine and the smart-looking Cloud 9.
| Property | Address | Type | Popularity |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aussie Way Hostel | 34 Cricket Street | Hostel | 74 |
| Base Brisbane - Central | 308 Edward Street | Hostel | 76 |
| Base Brisbane - Embassy | Cnr. Elizabeth St Brisbane, Qld. 4000 | Hostel | 73 |
| Blue Tongue Backpackers | 515 Brunswick St Fortitude Valley | Hostel | 62 |
| Brisbane Backpackers Resort | 110 Vulture Street | Hostel | 74 |
| Brisbane City Backpackers | 380 Upper Roma Street Qld 4000 | Hostel | 75 |
| Brisbane Manor Hotel | 555 Gregory Terrace Fortitude Valley | Hostel | 77 |
| Brisbane Street Studios | 70 Brisbane Street, Annerley | Hotel | 20 |
| Brisbane's Homestead | 57 Annie Street New Farm | Hostel | 60 |
| Bunk | 11-21 Gipps Street, Fortitude Valley | Hostel | 79 |
| Chill Backpackers | 328 Upper Roma Street, Brisbane, 4000 | Hostel | 76 |
| Cloud 9 Backpackers Resort | 350 Upper Roma St | Hostel | 52 |
| Kookaburra Inn | 41 Phillips Street Spring Hill, Downtown | Hostel | 85 |
| Minto | 61 Gladstone Rd Highgate Hill | Hostel | 84 |
| Moreton Bay Backpackers | 1st Floor, 45 Cambridge Parade Manly | Hostel | 64 |
| Prince Consort Backpackers | 230 Wickham Street Fortitude Valley | Hostel | 68 |
| Somewhere to Stay | 47 Brighton Road (cnr of Franklin Street) Highgate Hill | Hostel | 74 |
| The Manly Hotel | 54 Cambridge Parade Manly | Hotel | - |
| The Snooze Inn | 383 St Pauls Terrace Fortitude Valley | Hotel | 81 |
| Tinbilly Travellers | 462 George Street | Hostel | 74 |
| Valley Verandas | 26 Kennigo St. Spring Hill | Hostel | 61 |
This is version 18. Last edited at 15:27 on Nov 18, 09 by Utrecht (+267). 38 articles link to this page.

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