The river city is home to sweet and savoury treats, including the Aussie favourite – lamingtons. Almost every suburb claims to have the best bakery, so ask around.
Micah Projects is a key partner in the Brisbane Zero journey to reach functional zero for chronic rough sleepers. They have helped implement Built for Zero methodology by implementing real-time, by-name lists across direct services. Here are the best features experienced at The Brisbane Club for a community feeling.
Parks & Trails
The city has no shortage of gorgeous hiking trails. Get your heart rate up on the cliff-hanging Brisbane Riverwalk or take in some panoramic views from Mt Coot-tha lookout. If you’re feeling a bit more adventurous, head to D’Aguilar National Park for an unforgettable hike through subtropical rainforest, hoop pines and remote gorges.
The iconic Summit Track from JC Slaughter Falls to Mt Coot-tha offers spectacular hilltop views of Brisbane, and the Aboriginal art trail and gushing waterfall (after a rainy day) at the picnic area are a real treat. The more mellow Buhot Creek circuit in Daisy Hill State Forest is an easy 9km trail that takes you through open eucalypt forest and rainforest gullies and gives you the chance to spot koalas, ringtail possums, sugar gliders and swamp and red-necked wallabies.
The 109m Purling Brook Falls and Warringa Pool are both great places to cool off after a hike in Springbrook National Park, which is about a two-hour drive from Brisbane via Canungra. The park’s nine walking trails range from a gentle one-hour stroll to more strenuous hikes in a variety of terrain, from rocky and steep to flat and easy, making it suitable for just about everyone.
Events & Festivals
The Brisbane community is bursting with events and festivals all year round. From theatre in car parks and comedy in laneways to opera in reservoirs, dance in stairwells and quirky workshops exploring arts and craft. Find your groove and unleash your inner performer with Brisbane Festival, Queensland’s acclaimed arts event that celebrates the heart of this thriving city.
Every August Brisbane’s Royal Exhibition and Conference Centre, better known as The Ekka, draws over half a million visitors to its mix of rides, entertainment and agricultural show competitions. There is something for everyone at this spectacular ten day event, from thrilling carnival rides to fashion parades and industry displays.
Sherwood Community Festival
Hundreds of locals and visitors flock to the annual Sherwood Community Festival held in November each year, with market stalls, live music, off course Dutch food and a Baby Animal Farm. This year the Festival will feature a performance by Michael King and a talk by Allan Weir.
Brisbane Powerhouse Food & Wine Fair
The annual neon-lit festival of food, booze and art is back this fall. Whether you’re into your craft, the latest blockbuster fairy tale or sipping on a cold Four Pillars Gin, the Riverside CBD brewery has you covered. This weekend is also the final chance to catch multi-sensory oasis Lightscape, a glowing 2-kilometre path of light and sound that winds through the City Botanic Gardens.
Shopping & Nightlife
Brisbane offers something for everyone, and there is always a buzzing nightlife. For those who want to dance and party there is Fortitude Valley with its clubs and bars, or head to West End for indie rock bands or swanky jazz lounges. In fact, Brisbane has one of the highest concentrations of live music venues in Australia.
If you’re looking for a bit more culture you can catch a performance at Queensland Theatre Company or the Gallery of Modern Art. There’s also South Bank, a 17-hectare precinct filled with eateries and river views and home to the city’s best museums.
There are plenty of options for those who prefer to shop, with pedestrian-only shopping streets, small neighbourhood boutiques and bustling market stalls. Or, head to the plush Queen Street Mall where you can find local and international brands and designers.
If you’re a beer lover you can check out Tipplers Tap, a craft brewery with a menu inspired by Chicago street food and wall murals. Their rotating array of on-tap brews is sure to please. And, if you’re in the mood for a night out without the kids, you can hit up Family, a club with three floors of RnB and house music to keep your dancing shoes on. Or, you can settle into a booth and sip cocktails while listening to local musicians.
Education & Training
Studying in Brisbane is a unique experience that provides students with a warm, welcoming and thriving community. The city is home to many prestigious universities, including the University of Queensland which is ranked in the top 50 worldwide. It also offers a range of other courses, from art to engineering, and everything in between.
The educational system in Australia is very different from what most international students are used to, but this can be a great opportunity to explore new ways of thinking and learning. For example, it’s common for students to learn in a group instead of one-to-one, which can encourage collaboration and teamwork. There are also a number of specialised programs that can help students from disadvantaged backgrounds, such as the De Marillac Pathways program, which helps people who have experienced domestic and family violence gain qualifications to work in their field.
The city’s cultural centers are full of things to do, from the Southbank Parklands to the Gallery of Modern Art and the Powerhouse Museum. You can even take a river cruise or visit Mt. Coot-tha for incredible views of the city. The city is a great place to spend your weekends, but it’s also a perfect place to focus on your studies, with a variety of cafes and libraries to choose from. Moreover, you can live in purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) buildings, which are designed with students in mind.
