Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is known as Australia’s subtropical playground, and it’s easy to see why. The weather is sublime all year round and it’s right between the world-famous Gold and Sunshine coasts, both hugely popular with surfers and tourists alike.
Unsurprisingly, people in Brisbane lead very active lifestyles. Situated on a meandering river, it’s also close to the ocean and has numerous inlets and waterways between. Many people stay by the water all day to enjoy the sun and fun. Most of the city is also fairly flat and perfect for cycling around, while mountain bikers will want to head west to Mount Coot-Tha Forest which has sublime views of it all. For something more central, visit Kangaroo Point, a beautiful picnic and outdoor sports area near South Bank.
Brisbane is the fastest-growing city in Australia and unsurprisingly has cultural and gastronomic highlights to match. The August-September period is the ideal time for cheap flights to Brisbane as this is when several of the city’s festivals are held, such as the pyrotechnic extravaganza of the Riverfestival, the historic Ekka, and the Brisbane International Film Festival. Eating out is great all year round, with areas such as Sunnybank synonymous with authentic Asian food and excellent Turkish and Greek food throughout the city.
After getting flights to Brisbane, surfers should head north to the Sunshine Coast where they’ll love the beaches at Noosa and Caloundra. The Gold Coast to the south, on the other hand, hosts many music festivals such as Big Day Out and Parklife.