Greater Brisbane city only has one local council, setting us apart from other Australian cities that are made up of a number of different municipalities with competing priorities and agendas. We also have a very tourism-focused state government, meaning we not only have the capacity but also the drive to offer visitors to Brisbane a premium guest experience.
Here are just five things that make Brisbane a great city to visit anytime and to experience the subtle things that set this place and its people apart.
1. 50 cent public transport
Visitors and locals alike can get almost anywhere in South East Queensland on our extensive public transport network for just 50 cents. That includes going between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, and up to the Sunshine Coast too.
Jumping on a City Cat ferry to cruise along the mighty Brisbane River is a great way to see the city and its inner suburbs. The 50 cent fares mean you can have a luxe boat experience for a wildly affordable price. We take the City Cats to cross the river on one of our guided walks, and it’s always a guest favourite.
2. Percent for Art
Brisbane City Council operates a "Percent for Art" scheme that requires large private developments to incorporate public art into their planning and design. Developers are conditioned to spend a minimum of 0.25% of their total estimated project cost on artwork if the development exceeds a certain valuation (often over $5 million) and is located in the CBD or designated urban renewal precincts.
Brisbane’s CBD and inner precincts are rich with public art. Most visitors miss this art as it is tucked within commercial building foyers, down CBD laneways and in other out of the way places. Our Brisbane Modern guided walk includes some of this beautiful and thought-provoking art that tells Queensland’s indigenous and other cultural stories.
3. Brisbane City Council Street Art Consultant and Street Art policies
Brisbane City Council appointed its first street art consultant in recent years. This was partly to work with marginalised young people and address the significant graffiti issues around greater Brisbane.
Instead of fighting graffiti’s sub culture, the Council is trying to work with it. There are four “legal” graffiti locations in Brisbane and street art as a legitimate form of public art is being embraced and curated with many local and international artists enhancing public spaces. Brisbane’s street art and murals are exceptional, and after 10 years of the International Street Art Festival and council’s policies, this art scene will no doubt continue to flourish and delight visitors and locals alike.
4. Hosting the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games
Brisbane will host the Games six years from now and, even though this is a six-week global mega sporting event, the impact this is having on Brisbane’s transport, cultural and tourism offerings and hotel options is off the charts.
Visiting Brisbane will only get better and better, and that will be a true legacy of the Games for everyone.
5. Queensland has a Night-Life Economy Commissioner
John “JC” Collins AM is Queensland’s first Night-Life Commissioner. Formerly guitarist with Powderfinger, one of Brisbane’s many, many fantastic rock bands, JC is committed to keeping Brisbane’s unique live music and night economy pumping.
Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley (one of Queensland’s Safe Night precincts – another government policy to keep people out late safe) is a true live music and club precinct that is like a right of passage for many Brisbanites. Its history is rich and very, very controversial. Out of this culture has grown some of Australia’s finest musicians and bands; as well as some of the best live music venues in the country. All for visitors to Brisbane to enjoy – maybe after a fabulous dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants.
No matter how you like to spend your time in Brisbane, stretch your experience by exploring the many less obvious things to see and do. It’s worth it.