People & Places
Brisbane awaits you
Brisbane continues to be one of the most attractive cities to Brits emigrating Down Under, but why?
Matt French looks at what makes the city that lies between the Sunshine and Gold Coasts so appealing.
Brisbane is well known for its idyllic climate and year-round sunshine as well as its proximity to Australia's most popular coastlines and the Great Barrier Reef. With the relaxed yet vibrant lifestyle enjoyed by its residents, the Queensland capital embodies the Australian dream for many people. For around 1.7 million people Brisbane is currently home and the city is one of Australia's fastest growing capitals – it is tipped to become the country's second-largest city in the future with migration continuing from within Queensland, interstate and overseas at unprecedented rates.
So what attracts the hoards to the Queensland capital and what sort of life do Brisbane residents enjoy?
The Queensland capital boasts an impressive average of 243 sunny days per year, while the winter months tend to be mild and pleasant – most winter days are sunny with average temperatures of around 16oC or 17oC. For those who loath waking up and finding their cars covered in a thick layer of frost on winter mornings in the UK, it is worth knowing that on 19th July 2007 the temperature in Brisbane fell below freezing point for the first time since records began (reaching -0.1°C). "Even in the winter it is T-shirt and shorts weather," says Londoner Rob Lloyd, who has lived in Brisbane for five years. "The summers may be a little humid, but I don't consider it an issue as it soon passes and the other ten months of the year are just perfect. There's an old saying in Queensland that sums up the climate – beautiful one day, perfect the next." The attractive climate has led to Brisbane developing an outdoors culture and active lifestyle. Sports participation is high, with walking, jogging and cycling all popular pastimes in both inner-city and suburban areas.
The city authorities have helped nurture this active population by creating paths and walking trails that traverse arts, cultural and historic precincts, as well as botanical gardens and parkland, along the riverside and throughout the Brisbane area. Brisbane also prides itself on its clean, green environment. As well as the energetic lifestyle enjoyed by many in Brisbane, there is plenty to do for those who prefer a slower pace of life. "Brisbane is big on dining al fresco and the city has an abundance of great restaurants to cater for all tastes and budgets," says Rob, who has also lived in Melbourne and Perth. "It's such a pleasure to dine outside under the moonlight and stars on the warm balmy evenings or simply catch up with a friend for coffee. "One of my favourite treats is a cooked breakfast in Brisbane's lush and beautiful botanical gardens. Here you'll find an old-style café amongst beautiful surroundings, making 'brekkie' a perfect start to the day." Brisbane life is not all about sitting in the sunshine sipping Cappuccinos and watching life and the river pass slowly by, though. The city is a busy commercial hub with most of the major Australian companies and many international companies having a presence in the Queensland city.
The city's reputation for employment opportunities – in addition to a high quality of life in the sun – seems to be attracting the attention of people throughout Australia and worldwide as well. A recent survey found more Australians would prefer to work in Brisbane, if they had the choice, than anywhere else in Australia. Sydney, despite the glamour of the harbour, its bridge and the Opera House, has developed a culture that is too fast-paced, impersonal, cut-throat and expensive, the survey by recruitment firm Talent2 shows. The survey of 1,327 Aussies, focused on the quality of life that was offered in all Australian cities and found that 29 per cent of people would prefer to work in Brisbane, while only 18.2 per cent backed Sydney. "Brisbane is a fast-growing, vibrant city with a fantastic infrastructure, including an excellent public transport and road network," Rob enthuses. "We are fortunate in respect that we have very low crime and unemployment rates, plus we also enjoy a health and education system second to none," he adds. Brisbane is, of course, within easy reach of the Gold and Sunshine Coasts and so the stereotypical Australian surf lifestyle can also be enjoyed from a base in the centre of Brisbane.
There are plenty of beautiful sandy beaches for everyone along these coasts and – with many Disney-style theme parks in Queensland and lots of free activities running throughout the year, especially in the South Bank area – Brisbane definitely offers a family-friendly lifestyle. "For me, Brisbane offers migrants everything they envisage regarding the benefits of living in Australia and I'm thankful to call Brisbane home," Rob concludes. Brisbane life mainly takes place in the outdoors, and with the weather it enjoys, and range of activities on offer, it is easy to see why. Though be aware that with a strong economy and low unemployment rate Brisbane residents work as hard as they play.
For further information: Brisbane Bound