Those in the Know

The Viva team flew to Brisbane with Emirates, so who better to ask for tips than some of the crew who visit there often

Richard Livingston

Emirates purser Richard Livingston lived in Brisbane for six year before joining the airline 11 years ago. “I am lucky enough to visit every couple of months to catch up with friends and reconnect with the city,” he says.

Prior to joining Emirates I was a chef so I am always

eager to visit the new cafes and restaurants constantly popping up around the city. Vue Lounge on Merthyr Rd in New Farm is always a good choice, mixing traditional Italian with modern Australian cuisine. Another favourite is Watt at the Brisbane Powerhouse which overlooks the river. This iconic establishment has been a part of Brisbane’s dining scene for years. When I’m in Brisbane I like to start each day with a run. There are many great options such as along the Kangaroo Point Cliffs or on the river boardwalk that surrounds the city. If time permits, it’s great to finish off with a swim at South Bank, which is a 10-minute walk from the CBD. If you’re a first-time visitor I’d highly recommend

the CityCat ferries which circle the city every 10-15 minutes. You can start in town and work your way around to New Farm, where you’ll find multiple cafes

Picture / Babiche Martens

and shops. Head there early on a Sunday morning and walk through the farmers’ markets, then finish with breakfast and a coffee at one of the Powerhouse cafes. Equally good is a stroll over to South Bank, where there are art stores and a wide variety of eateries. The James St Market is in a hip area of Brisbane and is a collaboration of stores all under one roof. Among them are a fresh fish market (complete with a sushi chef who makes to order), a well-stocked deli, icecreamery, florist, and an upmarket homewares store. I always tell passengers a trip to Fortitude Valley has something for everyone, whether it’s food, fashion or culture.

Chandee Thorburn

West Auckland-born cabin crew member Chandee Thorburn has worked for Emirates for five years and visited Brisbane 18 times.

I love to walk around the city and get some fresh air.

The CBD has great energy; it’s usually busy but not so much that it feels overcrowded. I love the street performers and live music. Every time I’ve been in Brisbane the weather has ben just beautiful. Usually we land quite early in the morning so I like to go grab breakfast at a cafe and sit in the sun. I try to exercise on my layovers as it’s very important

to me and I find it helps with the jetlag. If it’s a nice day I’ll definitely go for a run (in Brisbane it’s really beautiful to run along the riverside). As for swimming, I usually just go for the hotel pool. Queen St Mall is definitely the place to shop in Brisbane. I personally enjoy Asian cuisines so my favourite places are the Japanese ramen and sushi bars. There are a lot of them tucked away in the central city. If you like animals I recommend visiting the koala sanctuary, otherwise take a trip to the Gold Coast beaches and theme parks. Always wear sunscreen because the sun can be really strong there. “Streets Beach” is a manmade beach in South bank that is worth checking out, especially if you are travelling with children. You can also take a ride on the nearby Wheel of Brisbane. Travelling is what you make of it. Always do your

research first and have an open mind. • Emirates flies daily from Auckland to Brisbane operating a double-decker Airbus A380. For more info, visit Emirates.com/nz

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