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Live in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Cairns, Queensland!

(Sources: www.queenslandholidays.com.au, www.brisbane.qld.gov.au, www.id.com.au)

Brisbane Total Metropolitan Area: 1.367 km²
Brisbane Population:  1.74 million 
Gold Coast Population: 488 thousand
Cairns Population: 106 Thousand
Telephone Area Code: 07

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Climate in Brisbane
Location and Population
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Brisbane, Gold Coast & Cairns

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland. The Brisbane Local Government area (LGA) is located on the east coast of Australia, bounded by the Moreton Bay Regional Council area in the north, Moreton Bay and Redland City in the east, Logan City and the City of Ipswich in the south, and the Somerset Regional Council area in the west.

Brisbane LGA is a growing residential area, with substantial rural, industrial, recreational and parkland areas. Brisbane LGA encompasses a total land area of about 1,367 square kilometres, including coastline, waterways, islands, national parks and state forests.

The stylish and vibrant city of Brisbane has evolved around the large River Brisbane, which meanders through central Brisbane, often attracting large black whaler and bull sharks. Over the years, many bridges have been built to connect North Brisbane to South Brisbane and Story Bridge is one of the most famous, with its magnificent architecture becoming an important part of Brisbane city life. With hot summers and pleasant winters, Brisbane's exceptional weather and laid-back, holiday atmosphere attracts people from all over the world.

Brisbane is named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, noted astronomer and former Governor of New South Wales. The original inhabitants of the Brisbane area were the Jagera and Turrbal Aboriginal people. European settlement dates from 1825 when the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement was established. In 1842 the Penal Settlement was closed and the area declared open for free settlers. Growth was aided by gold discoveries and red cedar milling, with Brisbane named the capital of Queensland in 1859. More substantial growth took place during the 1870s and 1880s, spurred by immigration, port activities and the construction of railway lines. Some growth took place in the early 1900s and during the interwar period. Significant residential and industrial development occurred during the post-war years, as both the city and suburbs grew, aided by immigration. Rapid growth took place from the 1980s, spurred by Brisbane hosting the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 1988 World’s Fair (Expo ’88). The population of Brisbane LGA increased from about 737,000 in 1986 to nearly 757,000 in 1991, and then to nearly 961,000 in 2006. Growth is due largely to new developments in outer areas and urban renewal in inner city areas, with the waterfront being significantly transformed from industrial areas into high density residential and parkland areas.

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Climate in Brisbane

Brisbane has a subtropical climate with warm or hot weather for most of the year. Brisbane's climate is very sunny, with around 2,800 hours of sunshine annually.

Most rainfall is in summer. Winter is dry with blue skies the norm.

Brisbane can be humid, especially in the three hottest months. Air conditioning makes life more pleasant, as do breezes in locations closer to the coast.

Coastal areas are slightly cooler in summer than further inland.

The climate of Brisbane, like many Australian cities, seems to be getting drier. Water levels behind the dams that supply the city are falling and have reached record lows. Water use is restricted and water recycling is being introduced. Other steps, such as desalination plants, are being considered.

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Brisbane Location and Population

Brisbane is a welcoming city. It is located within sub-tropical Queensland and is directly surrounded by the Great Dividing Range, natural forests, waterfallsand coastline.
Brisbane is also close to many of Queensland's finest tourist destinations including the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.
The Great Barrier Reef, the world’s largest and most complex reef system, begins off the coast, only a short drive north of Brisbane. The reef is so big it is visible from the moon.
Over twenty-six per cent of Brisbane's population was born overseas, making our city culturally diverse. This diversity is reflected in many of the exciting features Brisbane has to offer its residents and visitors, including festivals, events, restaurants, arts and community facilities.
Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city - with only Melbourne and Sydney being larger. Brisbane’s estimated resident population in 2007 was 1.74 million, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Cultural diversity

The population is also culturally diverse. Currently over twenty-six percent of Brisbane’s population was born overseas. In 1996 over fifteen percent of the population spoke a language other than English at home with Cantonese, Italian, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Greek, Spanish, German, Tagalog (Filipino), Polish and Russian being some of the most commonly spoken languages.


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Areas Within Brisbane

Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

Fortitude Valley (or 'The Valley' as it is known to locals) has a well deserved reputation as Brisbane's home for one-of-a-kind fashion. With the mix of fashion designers, artists and musicians working within the area, it's no wonder that this inner-city suburb is inspiration for beautiful fashion.

One street within The Valley that continues to offer an array of unique boutiques is Ann Street. Here you will find arguably Brisbane's best boutique for innovative fashions - Blonde Venus. It is a rather unassuming outlet from the exterior but was the first to deliver the world's cutting-edge designers to an eager local market. The store is Australia's exclusive stockist for a number of international labels and is heavily involved in showcasing the city's young and very talented design aspirants. And with the opening of its sister store The Outpost in a sneaky alley nearby, the stores continue to offer something different for locals and visitors alike.

Other must-shops on Ann Street include Ultra Suite, with its impressive offering of local and national designers, and Mod Cons, a hot-spot for gifts and quirky homewares, and stockists of jewellery and homewares designer Dinosaur Designs.

Brisbane Arcade

Built in 1923, the heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade is one of the city's oldest shopping destinations. From Terazzo floors and balustrades to dado panelling, it reflects the elegance of its award-winning fashion designers, manufacturer jewellers, antique and gift stores. With just 50 specialist retailers, the majority of them home-grown, come and enjoy a unique and intimate shopping experience at Brisbane Arcade.

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

Officially ranked among the world's top three convention centres, the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre is Australia's most awarded centre. A world class venue renowned for its flexibility and versatility, the centre offers a fully integrated range of in-house services all under the one roof. The centre can accommodate several conferences, exhibitions and other events simultaneously and all to the same high standards of excellence.

Eagle Street Pier Art and Craft Markets

Located at the Eagle Street Pier complex and set amidst some of the finest restaurants and cafes in the Brisbane Central Business District, Eagle Street Pier Art and Craft has consistently provided an exciting Sunday attraction where visitors can shop and dine with great views of the Brisbane River, and the Story Bridge.

Many of Market vendors have been permanent stallholders since the markets opened. New and casual vendors also create great interest by introducing a broad range of new ideas and styles. Visitors seeking souvenirs and mementos of Brisbane have the opportunity to find keepsakes of all kinds at the markets.

It is a popular and regular Sunday destination for visitors and local people for many years, offering a wide variety of quality products, many are hand-made. With a background of live music and other entertainment, there is never a dull moment at one of Brisbane's major Sunday icons.

Oxford Street Bulimba

Bulimba is a picturesque inner-city riverside village of Brisbane. Oxford Street is the suburbs bustling retail and cafe centre with an abundance of restaurants, cafes, bars, homeware and fashion stores. The street is also home to a cinema and the historic Oxford 152 pub.

With the Citycat just down the road, river views and beautiful Bulimba Memorial Park on its doorstep, Oxford Street at Bulimba is great for shopping, dining and experiencing the Brisbane lifestyle.

South Bank (and South Bank Lifestyle Markets)

The very definition of 'a place for the people', South Bank is Brisbane's vibrant inner city playground.

With a stunning riverside location, first-time visitors will be taken aback by the man made lagoon and white sand beaches that have skyscrapers, passenger boats and speeding ferries as a backdrop. Few cities in the world boast such a facility - and as you'll soon discover - enjoying a swim in the lagoon, a doze on the beach or a picnic in the park is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the balmy climate.

South Bank is so much more than a place to take it easy in the sun. There's a real energy here, and the place always seems to be buzzing with action.
There is also the Queensland Culture Precinct, home to the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) - the Queensland Art Gallery's second building, the State library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum, Queensland Conservatorium and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre where you can enjoy some enthralling theatre, ballet, orchestral concerts and opera.

Easily accessible from the centre of Brisbane by public transport or by walking through the Botanic Gardens and over the Goodwill footbridge, South Bank is not to be missed.

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Brisbane Surrounds

Gold Coast
The Gold Coast is the sixth largest city in Australia and one of the fastest growing regions in our country. Covering an area of 1400 square kilometres, the city's boundaries extend from just south of Beenleigh to Coolangatta, taking in South Stradbroke Island and part of Moreton Bay and extending west to the hinterland of Mount Tamborine and the Lamington and Darlington Ranges.

Population in the Gold Coast

The Gold Coast's current population of 496,906* is expected to continue to grow by 13,000 to 16,000 people per year, so that by 2030 Gold Coast City will be home to some 900,000 residents.
*Based on projected figures. Source: PIFU; ABS, Regional Population Growth, Australia, 2006-2007.

Climate in the Gold Coast

Gold Coast City's climate is sub-tropical with 287 days of sunshine annually.

• Average Summer Temperatures: 19 to 29 degrees Celsius (66 to 83 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Average Winter Temperatures: 9 to 21 degrees Celsius (48 to 69 degrees Fahrenheit)

Transport in the Gold Coast

The region is served by Gold Coast International Airport, with frequent domestic services from Melbourne, Sydney, Adelaide and Hobart, and International services from New Zealand and Asia. Brisbane's International Airport also provides links with the USA and Europe.
A rail link and Pacific Motorway connects Brisbane to the Gold Coast.

Environment in the Gold Coast

While the Gold Coast is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia, it remains one of the most bio-diverse, with bushland, marine and freshwater habitats which are home to more than 1300 animal and 1750 plant species.

Tallest structure

The spire of Q1, the world's tallest residential tower, is 322.5 metres above street level with an observation deck on the 78th floor.

Attractions and features in the Gold Coast

• Gold Coast City offers an abundance of attractions including
• 70 kilometres of beaches with an average water temperature of 22 degrees
• 260km of navigable waterways (nine times more than Venice)
• a Regional Botanic Gardens and 2245 parks covering 20,000 hectares
• major shopping centres, small boutiques, specialty shops and markets
• restaurants and cafes offering cuisine from around the world
• evening entertainment from nightclubs, restaurants, clubs, hotels and Conrad Jupiters Casino to Broadway musicals, ballet and theatre
• a large selection of wildlife and theme parks
• tropical rainforest hinterland with abundant wildlife and numerous bush walks
• world-class sporting and recreational facilities
• a huge range of accommodation from five-star international resorts to camping grounds

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Cairns

(Source: www.queenslandcairns.com)

Cairns, the gateway to Tropical North Queensland, has changed dramatically over the last few years and is an ideal base for exploring and enjoying the wonders of this diverse region. Voted Australia's most liveable regional city, Cairns is a vibrant sophisticated city offering the quaintness of a resort town exuding a wonderful ambiance, which is all about relaxation and enjoying the tropical lifestyle.

It is the pulsing heart of the Tropical North. Surrounded by a hinterland rich in natural beauty, the city offers a lively contrast of restaurants, shopping, entertainment and sporting events.

The newly developed Esplanade is a focal point of the city, a delightful meeting place that appeals to all ages. The swimming lagoon adds a new dimension to Cairns. The Esplanade is the place to be seen.

Rich in history with almost a century of architecture, Cairns combines a unique blend of traditional hi-set Queenslanders with modern hi-rise buildings. Much of the accommodation is within walking distance to restaurants, cafes, bars, shops, theatres, galleries, nightclubs and the glass-domed Reef Hotel Casino.
You will enjoy the cosmopolitan feel of the city and the diversity on offer. With over 600 sea, air and land tours departing daily from the city, Cairns has an endless supply of activities or if its relishing the resort experience and soaking up the sun, Cairns offers a superb range of accommodation from luxurious hotels to boutique accommodation.

Cairns is located about 1,701 km from Brisbane, and about 2,420 km from Sydney by road. It is a popular travel destination for many tourists because of its tropical climate and proximity to many attractions. The Great Barrier Reef can be reached in less than an hour by boat. The Daintree National Park and Cape Tribulation, about 130 km north of Cairns, are popular areas for experiencing a tropical rainforest. It is also a starting point for people wanting to explore Cooktown, Cape York Peninsula, and the Atherton Tableland.

The city has used its natural surroundings to its advantage with the construction of several small theme parks for tourists. Among them are Rainforestation Nature Park, the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park, and the Kuranda Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, which extends for 7.5 km over World Heritage rainforest.

A notable feature of the Cairns esplanade is a swimming lagoon with adjoining barbecue areas, the lagoon being designed in a similar shape to that of Queensland. A boardwalk allows pedestrians and cyclists to move along the foreshore from the Lagoon in a sustainable manner.

Cairns experiences a warm tropical climate. It experiences a wet season with tropical monsoons from December to April, and a relatively dry season from May to November, though showers are frequent for most of this period.

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