Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia after Sydney and Melbourne.

The city is organized, clean and safe. Living in Brisbane is a privilege because the life quality in this city is one of the best in the world.

It's Australia's third-largest city, but while other capitals compete loudly in their endeavour to reach top billing in the status stakes, Brisbane quietly executes its evolution in true, casual Queensland style. There's no need to advertise the virtues – locals already know it's one of the most desirable places in Australia to live. For visitors, the city is an outstanding summary of Australia; the big-city package exists here but the pretensions and speed are refreshingly absent.

Start with a metropolis that reclines over a tropical landscape. Dissect it with the winding Brisbane River and mix in a climate that attracts southerners by the chilly town-load every winter. Weave throughout a smorgasbord of cultural flavours, simmering in cafes, theatres, art-house cinemas, concert halls, galleries, museums and live music venues. Pepper the vista with subtropical gardens and views from lookouts or river boats. Add to this a calendar stocked with festivals and an abundance of eateries and you'll realise what all the low-key fuss is about.

Brisbane's city centre is bound by a U-shaped loop of the Brisbane River. The action is centred on pedestrianised Queen St Mall, which runs down to the former Treasury Building (now a casino) and Victoria Bridge to South Bank. Across Victoria Bridge is South Brisbane and the South Bank Parklands; further south is the hip West End. Ann St runs northeast of the city centre into trendy Fortitude Valley.

Brisbane's Weather

Temperatures in Brisbane, in the south of the state, rarely drop below 20°C and while it doesn't suffer the stifling humidity you'll find further north, it's still most pleasant in winter (June to August). However, this is also the time everyone from Sydney and Melbourne heads north to escape the cold, so expect a crowd.

Cultural Overview

Brisbane has gotten rid of its reputation as being a backward and unsophisticated place and emerged as one of the country's most progressive centres. It has several interesting districts, a good street cafe scene, a great riverside park, a busy cultural calendar and a thriving nightlife. Known locally as Bris Vegas, the city is renowned for its sun and the showy hordes that follow it, but it's also the arts capital of Queensland, with dozens of theatres, cinemas, concert halls, galleries and museums. A climate this good and culture too? It must be paradise.

Don’t Miss...

Most of Brisbane's major sights can be found in the city centre or within easy walking distance of it. Sandstone architecture revealing Brisbane's colonial history is scattered throughout the city and South Bank is just a short ferry ride across the river. Fortitude Valley, with its cafes, culture, food and shopping, is a popular area for locals and visitors, as is the West End. The free brochure Brisbane's Living Heritage, available from visitor information centres, highlights many of the sights Brisbane has to offer. Here are some favourites to get you started:

- Brisbane's Living Heritage:  Website:  www.brisbanelivingheritage.com

- Jump into a (free) cultural smorgasbord at the Queensland Cultural Centre in South Bank, where you'll find the Queensland Museum, with its excellent Sciencentre, the Queensland Art Gallery and the soon-to-be-opened Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.

- Queensland Museum:  Grey St.  Phone:  07 3840 7555  Website:  www.qmuseum.qld.gov.au

- Queensland Art Gallery:  Melbourne St.  Phone:  07 3840 7303  Website:  www.qag.qld.gov.au

- Queensland Gallery of Modern Art:  Website:  www.qag.qld.gov.au/qgma

Brisbane Events

There's usually something happening somewhere in Brisbane whatever the time of year. Information on festivals and events in the city can be found at the visitor information centres or check out www.ourbrisbane.com/whatson. Here's a sample of what you can expect:

Cockroach Races – This bizarre ritual takes place at the Story Bridge Hotel on Australia Day, 26 January.

Story Bridge Hotel:  196 Main St, Kangaroo Point.  Phone:  07 3391 2266

Tropfest – This nationwide short film festival is telecast live at South Bank in late February.

Website:  www.tropfest.com

Valley Fiesta – Taking place in Fortitude Valley's Chinatown and Brunswick St Mall, this food and music festival happens in mid-July.

Brisbane Riverfestival – Held in September, this is the city's major festival of the arts, with buskers, performances, music and concerts.

Website:  www.riverfestival.com.au

Livid – Australia's longest-running outdoor music festival, this annual one-day alternative rock event is held in October.

Website:  www.livid.com.au

:: Location:: The capital of the second largest state in Australia - Queensland - is located on the east coast of Australia.

:: Climate:: sub-tropical city, has warm and sunny days. The winter is mild. It rains a lot during the summer. Average temperature during summer time: 24 º ~ 31 º C Average during winter time: 17 º ~ 26 º C

:: Population:: 1.8 million inhabitants.

:: Nearby cities:: Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Byron Bay, Surfers Paradise, Ballina, Nambour, Gladstone, Bundaberg, Maryborough.