Brisbane

One of Brisbane’s most appealing traits is its beautiful weather. With the state’s slogan being “Beautiful one day, perfect the next”, it is little wonder why Brisbane has become one of Australia’s most attractive places to live and study.

Australia uses a Decimal currency system, where 100 cents = one dollar ($). We have six coins – 5c, 10c, 20c, 50c, which are silver coloured, and $1 and $2, which are gold. We have five notes, made from plastic – $5 (pink /purple), $10 (blue), $20 (red), $50 (yellow), and $100 (green).

Brisbane’s public transport network is very extensive, comprising of train, bus and ferry services. This includes the free City Loop Buses, and are all easily connected by purchasing a GoCard via Translink. By downloading the Translink app, you can also receive real time updates about when the next train, bus or ferry will arrive. However, Brisbane locals are known for their love of the great outdoors and cycling is a very big part of life. Many roads have been modified to include cycle paths. There are also City Cycle terminals where you can hire a bike and leave it at another cycle centre of your choice.

In terms of cost of living, Brisbane is by far one of the most affordable cities to live in Australia. Accommodation is plentiful and there are some great career opportunities. We also invite you to join our free weekly workshops which provide guidance on how to apply for jobs, resume writing, and how to apply for a Tax File Number, ABN and Blue Card or RSA certificate.

The most popular festival in Brisbane is The Ekka which is held in August each year and runs for about two weeks. There is also the famous River Fire Festival along South Bank Parklands which lights up the Brisbane River with its spectacular fireworks display. The Caxton Street Seafood and Wine Festival always brings the streets alive, which is full of entertainment, fresh seafood and a great place to make new friends. Some of the most popular places to visit in Brisbane include: City Botanical Gardens, Roma Street Parklands, Steve Irwin’s Australia Zoo, Mt Cootha, and of course, the beautiful Gold Coast (which is only a 45 minute train ride away).

There are also major theme parks which attract millions of visitors each year: Movieworld, Dreamworld, Seaworld, Wet n Wild, Australian Outdoor Spectacular, and Aussie World.

There are also so many must see places near Brisbane which are only a ferry or short flight away: dive The Great Barrier Reef, go Island hopping such as at Fraser Island, visit the Outback, or go to the Whitsunday Islands.

Council libraries provide a wide range of services including book clubs, reading programs, computer training and events and workshops. Find out about your local library and its opening hours, facilities and services, how to join and borrow books, magazines and online resources and lots more.

• A
  State Library of Queensland
  (Lending library)
  Brisbane Square, 266 George St,
  Brisbane QLD 4000
  Open until 8:00 pm
• B
  The Edge, SLQ
  State Library of Queensland
  (research only library)
  Stanley Pl, South Brisbane QLD 4101
  Open until 8:00 pm