Brisbane is Queensland’s third largest city and a gateway to both the Gold Coast on the south and Sunshine Coast on the north each just an hour’s drive away. It is certainly different to the more European influenced cities of Sydney and Melbourne- you straightaway get the feel that this temperate climate city is very Australian, a subtropical metropolis punctuated with parks and lush greenery. While Melbourne can boast its cultural precincts and Sydney its iconic Opera House and famous bridge, nothing can surpass the 300-day sunshine of Queensland’s capital city that undulates languidly along its river.

Brissie, as it is affectionately referred to by the locals, is also called the River City and is well known for its temperate, subtropical climate. It is big and bustling to have outgrown its status as a town but yet small enough to still retain its friendly, country town feel where everything is still within easy reach. It is maturing into a foodie destination with its outdoor cafes, award winning restaurants, quirky food outlets as well as a vibrant art scene and cultural centre.

For outsiders, the heat and humidity can be a bit hard to handle between December to February, but from March to May it is most beautiful as the temperatures have cooled down and the sun pours golden from the blue skies with not much rain. There’s not much of a winter in Brisbane as this subtropical city still enjoys temperate weather conditions from June to August while the Spring months usher in cooler evenings and longer days as the city prepares for a bustling summer. So, all in all, Brisbane, a city with a population of 2.6 million is a city that can be visited all year round really.