Brisbane City Attractions - Fun Things to do, Dining, Shopping

Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, fondly known as Australia's Sunshine State. As one of Australia's most geographically diverse regions, visitors and residents have easy access to rainforests, beaches, the Outback, the Great Dividing Range and the Great Barrier Reef. With friendly locals and a laidback lifestyle, Brisbane offers the perfect balance of big city amenities and small town charm. Many international students choose to study in Brisbane for the world-class educational institutions, exceptional beaches, spectacular weather, easygoing inhabitants and abundant natural and cultural attractions.

Study Options

Students looking for opportunities for international study in Brisbane have several universities from which to choose, including urban campuses that allow students to live and attend classes in the city center, as well as suburban and rural campuses that are located farther out, but still within a 55 mile radius and close enough to enjoy the arts, culture and nightclubs of Brisbane.

Choosing to study in Brisbane provides unique opportunities to attend one of the top 200 universities in the world (Queensland University of Technology), Australia's first not-for-profit university with a student population made up of nearly 50% international students (Bond University), a leading natural research university in a bush setting (James Cook University), or one of the founding members of the Group of Eight, which is also among the highest ranking universities both in Australia and the world (University of Queensland).

Study options in and around Brisbane include:

• University of Queensland, St. Lucia
• University of Queensland, Ipswich
• University of Queensland, Gatton
• Queensland University of Technology, Gardens Point
• Queensland University of Technology, Kelvin Grove
• Queensland University of Technology, Carseldine
• Bond University
• James Cook University, Townsville
• James Cook University, Cairns

Topics of study include natural resources management, agriculture, natural sciences, biomedical sciences, technology, business, humanities and many other options that are sure to entice international students looking for the Australian university that best meets their needs.

Local Scene

Brisbane is an absolute paradise for anyone who loves the outdoors and offers excellent weather year-round, which allows for indulging in canoeing down the Brisbane River, trekking through nearby rainforests, discovering islands with white sand beaches, camping in the famous Australian Outback, exploring the Great Barrier Reef, or taking a drive to the Gold Coast or Sunshine Coast any time of the year. With exceptional shopping, dining and entertainment, vibrant nightlife and endless natural attractions in close proximity, international students cannot go wrong with choosing to study in Brisbane.

Sidewalk cafés, theme parks, sub-tropical rainforests, golf courses, world-class shopping, waterfalls, native wildlife and sophisticated arts and culture co-exist in perfect harmony here, creating an incredibly unique environment for expanding your education both in- and outside of the classroom.

Accommodations

International students who study in Brisbane, or the surrounding area, choose accommodations relative to the university they select. Some Brisbane universities offer on-campus housing, or campus-managed off-campus housing, in village settings. These accommodations offer students the opportunity to fully embrace campus life and have an active student life in close proximity to shopping, dining, arts, culture and nightlife.

Students may also choose to live off-campus in a shared or private studio, apartment or house, or to participate in a homestay with an Australian family. Living off-campus, whether in central Brisbane or a more rural area, allows students to experience Queensland like a local, while great public transportation allows for easy travel between school, home and local activities.

Brisbane Highlights

Brisbane is the vibrant capital of Queensland and is home to approximately 2 million residents, making it the largest city in Queensland and the third largest city in Australia. Brisbane has steadily grown in popularity over the past few decades and has experienced a 2.2% population growth each year since 1990, which is higher than the national average for population growth in major Australian cities.

As Australia's Sunshine State, and home to remarkable geographic diversity, Brisbane is an exceptional choice for visitors and international students who enjoy outdoor activities and exploring vastly different ecosystems. With an expansive agricultural region, a World Heritage rainforest, hundreds of islands, the Outback and more, there is no end to the opportunities for adventure for students who study in Brisbane.

Brisbane served as the South West Pacific headquarters for the Allied troops serving under General Douglas MacArthur during World War II and has hosted the Commonwealth Games, the Goodwill Games and the World Exposition. Today, Brisbane is an important business center and is home to several major arts and culture festivals each year.

Brisbane is a large, multicultural city that has managed to retain the warmth and atmosphere of its days as a smaller town. This welcoming environment makes Brisbane a particularly appealing city for visitors and an ideal location for students looking for international study opportunities in Australia.