Living in Brisbane

Brisbane, the capital city of the state of Queensland, has a pleasant, semi-tropical climate and is a relatively safe city in which to live, study and work. With a population of around 1.7 million people it is a vibrant international city. The city boasts inner-city beaches and parklands, world-class sporting facilities, an international airport, a cultural centre, a convention centre, museums, art galleries, a casino, shopping precincts and a multitude of cosmopolitan restaurants and coffee shops. A wide range of international cuisines are available in Brisbane - from sushi to tacos and everything in between.

The climate of Brisbane is great for sports, beaches and other outdoor activities. The daytime temperatures range from an average of 30 degrees Celsius in summer to 14 degrees Celsius in winter. The beaches and theme parks of the Gold Coast, a popular holiday destination, are only one hour's travel from Brisbane. The quieter beaches of the Sunshine Coast and the rainforests of nearby National Parks to the city's north take only a little longer to reach. The Botanical Gardens at Mount Coot-tha and the City Botanical Gardens are well worth a visit. Many local wildlife parks provide visitors with the opportunity to learn more about Australian native animals.

Queensland also has many natural attractions such as the Great Barrier Reef, the Whitsunday Islands, Fraser Island and the Daintree Rainforest. Students who have the time to explore further will enjoy some wonderful and unique experiences.

Australia is a tolerant, multicultural society with people from many ethnic backgrounds. While the official language is English more than 200 languages are spoken.