The Ultimate Brisbane Travel Guide For First-Time Travellers

When it comes to the world’s most liveable cities, Brisbane is certainly a recognised name on many lists. Being the third largest city in Australia, Brisbane has a population of more than two million. This new-world city and capital of the state of Queensland boasts different top-rated tourist attractions that are visited by both locals and international visitors alike. From cultural centres, animal sanctuaries to bustling malls and more, there is so much to explore and see so get ready to have a trip of your lifetime!

Before we get into the rest of the details in this comprehensive guide for first-time visitors consider booking coach hire in Brisbane if you are planning a group excursion. This will help your group move in and around the area comfortably and safely.

Getting There

If you live in a foreign country and are planning to visit Brisbane for a local event, you will most probably be flying in by air. Located approximately 20km north-east of Brisbane’s city centre, the main airport of the city is Brisbane Airport (BNE). The airport serves direct flights from all Australian capitals and the major carriers that land here include Qantas, Jetstar, and Virgin Australia. Other regional airlines that use the airport also make it easy for visitors who are flying in from the Middle East, the United States, and Asian centres, to arrive in Brisbane.

Brisbane is known to have a year-round living climate, and the best time to visit this amazing city is from March to May. During this season, the temperatures feel comfortable with minimal rainfall. If you are planning a summer holiday in Brisbane, consider coming in January. For art lovers, it is best that you visit Brisbane in September because of their month-long arts celebration – the Brisbane Festival.

Geographical Insights

Founded in 1824 and renowned for its iconic and beautiful timber Queenslander homes, Brisbane is today Australia’s hippest city. Since it rose to the world stage after hosting the Commonwealth Games in 1982, Brisbane attracts millions of visitors per year. To put it simply, Brisbane features a large urban sprawl with many different popular areas, including its CBD, West End, Sunnybank, and more. Other major districts in Brisbane include South Brisbane, Manly Harbour, and Spring Hill, and they offer unique attractions to ensure your Brisbane trip will be a memorable one.

Accommodation

There is a wide variety of accommodations found in Brisbane, including luxurious hotels, motels, serviced apartments, and hostels. For starters, the accommodation in this sun-drenched and leafy city ranges from AU$30 to AU$360 and above (per night). As you can see, making arrangements for your lodgings is easy as there are so many options to choose from.

Popular budget accommodations include:

• ibis Budget Windsor Brisbane

• Econo Lodge City Start Brisbane

• Toowong Central Motel Apartments

• Milton Motel Apartments

Popular luxury accommodations include:

• Sofitel Brisbane Central

• Marriott Brisbane

• Stamford Plaza Brisbane

• Hilton Brisbane

Top Places to See

Do you want to release your inner child? World-class theme parks in Queensland’s Gold Coast are a must-visit. If you just want to experience the laid-back vibes of Brisbane, the upmarket hotels and fine-dining restaurants here will make you feel relaxed. Because there are so many amazing attractions in Brisbane, we have decided to select a few that are the most popular with travellers:

• Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens: This is a favourite attraction with locals and visitors alike, and it offers panoramic views of Brisbane. Here you will find the largest collection of Australian rainforest trees

• Cultural Centre: The ever-popular precinct is a Mecca for cultural experiences. The Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Gallery of Modern Art, etc, are all found here

• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary: Never held a live koala before? A visit to Lone Pine makes for a memorable experience. The sanctuary is home to Australia’s iconic marsupials including wombats, wallabies, kangaroos, and more

• Moreton Island: Get a taste of tropical paradise at Moreton Island! Azure water and pure-white sandy beaches make for a perfect day trip

• Queen Street Mall: Make a trip down to this vibrant shopping precinct and get ready to start browsing the shops of over 700 retailers

Dining

In Brisbane, there is a myriad of budget restaurants and fine dining options for both locals and tourists alike. No matter what your budget is, you can be sure that you will find an eatery that suits your tastes and are friendly on your wallet. If you are looking for a quick bite such as food from a burger bar, you can expect prices to start from AU$10 and above. If you are planning to dine at a fancy restaurant, prices could start from AU$75 per person which is pretty reasonable. Here is quick look at the feedback gained from our food-loving customers who used our bus hire services:

• Beach House at the corner of Albert and Elizabeth Street

• Nickel Kitchen & Bar at Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

• Le Bon Choix at Queen Street

• Sake at Eagle Street Pier

Getting Around

Compared to the transportation of other cities, Brisbane is relatively easy and has many different modes of transportation to choose from. What’s available in the city includes taxis, city ferries, public buses, trains, and Go Cards. The last item is a contact-less smart card that savvy commuters can use. Also, in Brisbane’s CBD, the place is relatively flat and condensed. This means walking and cycling are equally enjoyable. It is also true that Brisbane’s bus network is large and comprehensive and the inner city areas are well served by them.

However, if you are travelling with a group, public transportation may not be convenient when you plan to visit more than one Brisbane attraction during your day trips. Hiring a coach is simply the best choice you can make to get your travel group from point A to point B with minimal interruptions – contact our friendly booking team today.