Brisbane is a green city with an enviable subtropical climate and diverse population. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia and is known for its vibrant urban precincts, outdoor lifestyle and friendly locals. Get to know Brisbane better. From climate to currency – we have you covered.
Whether its tour and accommodation bookings, events and entertainment information, brochures and maps, or general tourist advice you need for the Brisbane and Greater Brisbane areas, the many Accredited Visitor Information Centres located across the Greater Brisbane Region have it all covered.
This guide provides visitors with a comprehensive overview of things to see and do across the city and surrounding regions. Produced bi-annually, it showcases the latest experiences and events on offer as well as providing information that helps support the visitor experience.
Home to an award-winning airport, a fully integrated public transport system makes getting to Brisbane easy.
Lockers are available at the International and Domestic Airports as well as South Bank.
Thanks to Brisbane City Council, free Wi-Fi is available in public places throughout the city. Find out more here.
Brisbane follows Eastern Standard Time throughout the year. Unlike Australia’s southern states, Queensland does not have daylight saving during summer. Be careful to check the time if travelling to or from another state.
For all visa enquiries, please go to the Department of Home Affairs page.
The Australian electrical current is 220–240 volts, AC 50Hz. The three-pin power outlet is different from some other countries, so don’t forget to buy an adaptor.
Brisbane’s public transport system is a clean and green network of trains, ferries (CityCats) and buses that have been integrated so commuters can travel seamlessly between each service when using a go card.
Blessed with the perfect subtropical climate and an average of eight hours of sun per day, Brisbane is the ideal destination for life in the great outdoors.
Brisbane is home to blue skies and sunny days, so it’s important to keep sun safe. When in the sun, always wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen. If spending the whole day outdoors, reapply sunscreen regularly. Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration.
The unit of currency in Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD$). All Brisbane areas are serviced by cash machines which accept Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro cards. The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, JCB and their affiliates. If you are bringing travellers’ cheques, these can be exchanged at banks, bureau de change booths, hotels and post offices. Banks and foreign exchange services are also available throughout the city centre.
A 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to most purchases and is included prior to bills being totalled. You may be able to claim a refund of the GST paid on purchases if you have spent $300 or more in one store, no more than 60 days before departing Australia. Tourist Refund Scheme facilities are located in the departure area of international terminals. For further information, visit the Australian Border Force website or contact 1300 555 043 (+61 2 6245 5499 outside of Australia).
Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges to your bill. In upmarket restaurants, it is usual to tip waiters up to 10 per cent of the bill for good service. However, tipping is always your choice. It is not custom to bargain in Australia.
Trading hours vary across Australia but shops in tourist and city areas are generally open seven days until 6pm, with late-night shopping on Thursdays in suburban areas and Fridays in the city centre.
Post offices are usually open 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday, with some city post offices open on Saturday morning. Travellers can arrange to collect mail at post offices throughout Australia.
Australia’s Country Code is 61. Queensland’s area code is 07 but the zero is left off when calling from outside Australia. Mobile phone network coverage is available across Australia; however coverage may be limited in some remote areas.
Many of Brisbane’s public facilities are disability-friendly. Brisbane City Council’s Access and Inclusion program provides information about accessible features at swimming pools, parks and libraries, and other useful guidance for visitors with a disability.
If you have a disability, Brisbane’s city centre is increasingly easy to get around. Find out more here.
Brisbane is generally a safe destination, with tourists enjoying unhindered travel experiences in terms of their personal safety. In the event that you require emergency assistance, you can contact police, ambulance and/or fire brigade by calling Triple Zero (000).
Brisbane has a number of public hospitals and medical centres should you experience illness or injury while visiting. It is important that your travel insurance is up to date so you are covered should any emergencies arise.
Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places. This includes restaurants, bars and clubs. The Queen Street Mall in the city is a totally smoke-free area.
The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years of age. If you look young, you may be asked to provide photo identification to prove you are aged over 18 years to enter a licensed premise or buy alcohol. The latest time licensed premises can serve alcohol is 3am, although closing times vary across venues. Many licensed premises are required to scan patrons' photographic IDs on entry after 10pm under State Government legislation. In Queensland it is an offence to drink alcohol or possess an opened alcoholic drink in a public place.