Brisbane

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland and has a population estimated to be around 2 million. Brisbane is a multicultural city and is quickly establishing itself as a recognisable international capital. The city has hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games, the World Expo in 1988 and the 2001 Goodwill Games.

Brisbane has a subtropical climate, which means it has hotter, more humid summers and milder, drier winters, though thunderstorms are common during the hot summer period.  On average, in the summer, the temperature is around 25°C and 15°C in the winter.

South Bank, located next to the Brisbane River, is a popular spot for visitors as it where the Queensland Cultural Centre, the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre and the celebrated South Bank Parklands. If you are in town between August and September, Brisbane has many major annual cultural events to attend.
The St George Bank Brisbane International Film Festival (BIFF) established in 1992, celebrates films made locally and across the Asia-Pacific region.

In the last few weeks of August there is the Ekka (formerly known as the Royal Queensland Show) and because of its popularity and cultural importance to the city and the state, a public holiday known as the ‘People’s Day’ was established.
In September, South Bank has Riverfestival, a weeklong festival held in celebration of the Brisbane River. The event was first introduced in 1998 and at the beginning of each festival there is a half an hour show of fireworks known as the Riverfire.