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OceaniaAustraliaQueensland

Brisbane

Queensland, Australia · Oceania

About Brisbane

Brisbane is worth a stop: 1km from Story Bridge.

Brisbane is a major city located in Queensland, Australia. With a population of 2,780,063, it is one of the largest urban centers in Oceania.

On a road trip, Brisbane sits in Australia, where you drive on the left. It's in the Australia/Brisbane time zone. Below you'll find where to stay, things to do nearby, and everything you need to add Brisbane to your route.

About Brisbane

Brisbane ( BRIZ-bən; Turrbal/Yagara: Meanjin) is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Queensland and the third-most populous city in Australia, with a population of approximately 2.8 million. Brisbane lies at the centre of South East Queensland, a bio-geographical and urban region with an estimated

Read more population of 4.1 million as of 2024. The central business district is situated within a peninsula of the Brisbane River approximately 15 kilometres (9 mi) from its mouth at Moreton Bay. Greater Brisbane sprawls across the hilly floodplain of the Brisbane River Valley between the Pacific Ocean and the Taylor and D'Aguilar mountain ranges, encompassing several local government areas (LGAs). The City of Brisbane LGA forms the inner area of Greater Brisbane, and is the most populous local government area in Australia. The demonym of Brisbane is Brisbanite. The Moreton Bay penal settlement was established in 1824 at Redcliffe as a place for secondary offenders from the Sydney colony, but in May 1825, the settlement moved to North Quay on the banks of the Brisbane River, named for the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane. German Lutherans established the first free settlement of Zion Hill at Nundah in 1838, and in 1859, Brisbane was chosen as Queensland's capital when the state separated from New South Wales. During World War II, the Allied command in the South West Pacific was based in the city, along with the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur of the United States Army. Brisbane is a global centre for research and innovation and is a major transport hub, served by large rail, bus and ferry networks, as well as Brisbane Airport and the Port of Brisbane, Australia's third-busiest airport and seaport, respectively. A diverse city with over 36% of its metropolitan population being foreign-born, Brisbane is frequently ranked highly in lists of the world's most liveable cities. Brisbane has hosted major events including the 1982 Commonwealth Games, World Expo 88 and the 2014 G20 summit, and will host the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics. Brisbane is one of Australia's most popular tourist destinations and is Australia's most biodiverse and greenest city. The city is known for its cultural heritage, architecture, museums and galleries, festivals and public art, food, music, sports and outdoor lifestyle, and its numerous parks and gardens. South Bank and its extensive parklands is Queensland's most visited place, attracting over 16 million visitors annually. The surrounding region includes the Gondwana Rainforests (including Main Range, Lamington, and Springbrook) as part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Bunya Mountains National Park, the Glass House Mountains, and Moreton Bay alongside the islands of Moreton, Bribie and North Stradbroke Island, and the historic islands of Peel and St Helena Island National Park.

Read more on Wikipedia

Where to Stay in Brisbane

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Discover famous landmarks, scenic roads, and more near Brisbane.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best things to do in Brisbane?

Brisbane offers many attractions including tourist sites, museums, parks, and local restaurants. Explore famous landmarks, scenic roads, and natural wonders on our interactive map and plan your visit.

How do I plan a road trip to Brisbane?

Plan your road trip to Brisbane with Plan Your Road Trips! Add Brisbane as a destination, and we'll help you find the best route and discover more amazing places along the way.

Where is Brisbane located?

Brisbane is located in Queensland, Australia, Oceania. The coordinates are -27.4679 latitude, 153.0281 longitude.

What is the population of Brisbane?

Brisbane has a population of approximately 2,780,063 people, making it a major city in Australia.

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Quick Information

Population
2,780,063
Continent
Oceania
Country
Australia
Region
Queensland
Timezone
Australia/Brisbane
Coordinates
-27.4679, 153.0281

Emergency & Services

Essential numbers in Australia

Police
000
Ambulance
000
Fire
000
Non-emergency police
131 444
Driving side
left

112 works from mobiles. Distances between fuel stops in the outback can exceed 200 km: plan ahead. Wildlife is most active at dawn/dusk.

Full driving guide for Australia

Tags

OceaniaAustraliaQueenslandMajor City

Worth the detour from Brisbane

4 notable places within an hour's drive.

bridge

Story Bridge

Brisbane's heritage-listed 1940 steel cantilever bridge over the Brisbane River, drivable on the Bradfield Highway and climbable on guided ascents for skyline views.

1 km · about 5 min drive

landmark

Dreamworld

Australia's largest theme park on the Gold Coast with thrill rides, wildlife encounters, and family attractions.

52 km · about 60 min drive

landmark

Wet'n'Wild Gold Coast

Australia's premier water park on the Gold Coast featuring giant water slides, wave pools, and aqua-play areas.

56 km · about 65 min drive

landmark

Warner Bros. Movie World

Gold Coast movie-themed park featuring rides and attractions based on iconic Warner Bros. films and characters.

57 km · about 65 min drive

Driving roads near Brisbane

  • Right hereStory BridgeBrisbane's heritage-listed 1940 steel cantilever bridge over the Brisbane River, drivable on the Bradfield Highway and climbable on guided ascents for skyline views.
  • 66 kmGlass House Mountains LookoutElevated lookout on the Sunshine Coast hinterland tourist drive, giving a panorama of the volcanic plugs named by James Cook in 1770.
  • 70 kmSurfers Paradise Street CircuitA Gold Coast street circuit running along the beachfront and through the high-rise canyon of Surfers Paradise, host of Indycar and now Supercars. Ordinary beach-town streets off-season.

Nearby Destinations

Other places to explore near Brisbane.

Brisbane central business district

🇦🇺 Australia

0 km awayPop. 9,460

Spring Hill

🇦🇺 Australia

1 km awayPop. 7,213

Fortitude Valley

🇦🇺 Australia

1 km awayPop. 9,708

Kangaroo Point

🇦🇺 Australia

1 km awayPop. 8,398

South Brisbane

🇦🇺 Australia

2 km awayPop. 8,658

Petrie Terrace

🇦🇺 Australia

2 km awayPop. 1,091

New Farm

🇦🇺 Australia

2 km awayPop. 12,256

Newstead

🇦🇺 Australia

2 km awayPop. 2,163

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Data sources:GeoNames (CC BY 4.0)•Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA)•Mapbox•Photography: George Lawrence