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Brisbane, QUEENSLAND

Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, home to the Great Barrier Reef and the Whitsunday Islands. The city, situated on a curve of the Brisbane River, is home to almost 2 million people, and is the fastest growing city in the country. Brisbanites are known for their laid back attitude, with Brisbane sometimes referred to as Australia’s biggest country town.

In contrast to the terrace houses of the southern cities, Brisbane is famous for its spacious wooden Queenslanders, built on stilts and with large verandahs to allow for air circulation in the warm weather. The climate is subtropical, with high humidity and spectacular storms in summer (the average maximum summer temperature is 29 degrees). Winter is drier, with an average minimum of 10 degrees. The weather means people in Brisbane tend to lead a more outdoor lifestyle than their southern neighbours.

There is a significant migrant presence in Brisbane, with over 20 per cent of residents born overseas. As a result, the dining out scene is strong, with restaurants serving food from around the globe. Live music and theatre also thrive here and, of course, sports such as rugby league and cricket are popular, with the popularity of Australian Rules football growing thanks to the recent success of the Brisbane Lions in the national competition.

In the 1990s, the Queensland Government developed the ongoing Smart State campaign, sponsoring the development of several science and technology research projects. The city’s three multi-campus universities are widely respected and offer an array of education options. Many Australian companies have moved their headquarters to Brisbane because it is cheaper than Sydney and Melbourne (as are houses), and this has led to a business boom, particularly in the central business district.

Due to the significant suburban sprawl, most people have cars and there is a good network of arterial roads. This network provides easy access to the Gold and Sunshine coasts: major tourist destinations with stunning beaches situated one hour south and one hour north of Brisbane respectively.

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