capital

BRISBANE IS widely known as Queensland’s Sunshine Capital, and is also often called The River City. More colloquially it’s known as Brissie or Brisvegas. Whatever the moniker may be, this sparkling city that began as a penal colony in 1824 has gone through a rebirth in the past decade.

Even though Brissie has a population of almost 2.5 million, it has always had a laidback vibe more like that of a town. And in recent years it has shaken off its ‘Brisvegas’ reputation and upped the ante on cultural hubs and tours, cool eateries and bars, designer and niche retail outlets, and its thriving arts scene.

With a sub-tropical climate (meaning long, warm summers and short mild winters) Brisbane is a city to be enjoyed all day and long into the night. Add to that a unique mix of city life blending into the native bushland right on its doorstep, and Brisbane ticks all the boxes.

Down By The River

Brisbane enjoys a dry and sunny climate year-round and the best time to visit is from March to May, or September to November, when the weather is mild and the crowds thin out. At the peak of summer there’s a lot of great things going on, but make sure to pack your umbrella as January and February often see plenty of dramatic thunderstorms.

The Brisbane River is affectionately known by locals as the ‘Brown Snake’ due to its muddy colour and the way it winds serpent-like through the centre of the city. It is the longest river in South East Queensland, although it is essentially an estuary as it is influenced by the tide. The mud and silt from the riverbanks never settle, causing its brown appearance.

Arching above the river is Story Bridge – a heritage-listed cantilever bridge that was opened with much fanfare in 1940. Make sure you get photos at night when the bridge, the river and the city sparkle in all of their combined glory.

One of the best ways to experience the city is via the Riverwalk, where you can follow the boardwalk on foot around some of Brissi's most wellknown suburbs, passing by traditional Queenslander homes oozing with character. Or if you want to go at a faster pace, hire a bicycle, e-bike or a scooter and zip along the meandering bike paths.

En route, explore the trendy, artistic suburb of New Farm, where you’ll find cool homewares stores and designer jewellery shops alongside a plethora of awesome bars and restaurants.

Fortitude Valley (known as The Valley to locals) is the city’s premier nightlife and live music district. It’s also home to Brisbane’s Chinatown, so if you’re a yum cha fan, this is where it’s at. If other Asian cuisines take your fancy, there’s Korean barbecue, Indonesian, Japanese, Thai, and Vietnamese restaurants galore.

Visit historic Howard Smith Wharves – which has been dubbed the beating heart of Brisbane’s entertainment scene – and under Story Bridge you’ll find Felons Brewery Co – a top spot to chill and taste some balanced brews and hang with the locals.

If you want to dodge the crowds and soak up some of that famous sunshine, have a picnic in New Farm Park. This pretty riverfront spot is a fave for locals, and it's also near the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse, where you can catch some of the best theatre or comedy shows in town. 

FROM TOP LEFT:

If you’re keen to get out on the river itself, strap on a life jacket, grab an oar and hop aboard a kayak with Riverlife Adventure Centre. Glide under the Story Bridge, and enjoy a totally different side of the city. For those who prefer less self-propelled adventures, you can also relax on a guided tour with River City Cruises with a cocktail in hand in the evening, or enjoy a delicious morning tea.

If you would rather be on top of it all with a bird’s eye view of the action, then climb Story Bridge and learn about Brisbane's colourful history. It is one of only three bridge climbs in the world where you can walk on top of the bridge. The two others are the Sydney Harbour Bridge and Auckland Harbour Bridge.

BACK TO NATURE ON BRISBANE’S DOORSTEP

Brisbane sprawls out into leafy suburbs with large gardens and tree-lined streets, and then blends beautifully into nature. The city’s largest natural reserve, Mount Coot-tha, is just a 15-minute drive from the city centre and home to more than 1,600 hectares of eucalypt forest, rainforest gullies, trails and picnic areas. Visit at twilight to see the sun sink behind magnificent views of the sparkling CBD.

Another cultural attraction with an Aussie icon at its heart is the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, just 30 minutes southwest of downtown Brisbane. It is the world’s largest koala sanctuary with a mission to inspire individuals and communities to live in balance with the natural world.

Brisbane is also the jumping off point for day trips to stunning Moreton Island and Stradbroke Island. Hop on a ferry to experience the many pristine beaches and truly scenic headlands and excellent snorkelling spots. You can also get your adrenaline pumping during some beach 4WDriving.

Indulge In Eclectic Outdoor Eateries

Brisbane does farmers markets right. The vibrant West End markets are held every Saturday in Davies Park in the trendy inner-city suburb of West End. Visit over 150 unique vendors selling farm-fresh produce, delicious food, boutique fashion and handcrafted gifts, all under the shade of beautiful fig trees.

For the best street food in the city, make sure you head to open-air market precinct Eat Street Northshore. This huge riverside hub on a historic wharf is made entirely from recycled shipping containers, and features over 70 stalls, with five themed bars, eclectic shops and delicious international street food from every corner of the globe.

On the south side, Fish Lane is your go-to for eating al fresco. This bustling laneway is full of local favourites and is a popular spot for street artists to show their work. Every surface of the laneway is covered in ever-changing murals, so grab a bite and take a wander through this inspiring outdoor gallery.

For Culture Vultures

South Bank is Brisbane’s premier cultural precinct located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River. It stretches from the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art in the north to the Queensland Maritime Museum in the south, with 17 hectares of inner-city parklands, more than 90 cool restaurants, cafes and bars, a performing arts centre, cinema and the eye-catching 60-metre-tall Wheel of Brisbane.

In the city, you’ll find Birrunga Gallery and Dining – an Indigenousowned-and-operated cultural hub like no other in Australia, that was founded by Wiradyuri man, Birrunga Wiradyuri. Enjoy some lovingly made food, peruse the excellent art gallery, grab a drink at the wine bar, or sit back and enjoy a live performance. The café uses native herbs and ingredients to create 'modern Australian cuisine with a native twist'. Try the Trio Tostada with native meats on a tortilla with salsa and sriracha mayo, or tuck into the Dorrigo Pepper Croc – a delicious beer battered croc tail served with waffle fries and coleslaw. TA

COLLABORATING ON TRENDS IN MINING, INVESTMENT AND INNOVATION TOWARDS A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE

The International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC) is where the most influential people in the mining industry come together, delivering ideas, inspiration and serving as a meeting ground for the industry. From ground-breaking technology and world-class content to a vivid showcase of all the elements that make the mining industry great, IMARC is an opportunity to learn from more than 500 mining leaders and resource experts with a program covering the entire mining value chain.

The world-class conference program now features seven concurrent streams with more than 340 technical talks, panel discussions and strategic keynote presentations taking place throughout the three days. Gain strategic insights from c-suite executives on topics including reshaping the mining value chain, progressing ESG and environmental resilience, accelerating mining’s energy transition and so much more.

Attend one of the many networking events or simply catch up with industry colleagues on the 18,500m2 expo show floor featuring 470+ leading companies. There are thousands of opportunities to network, brainstorm, and knowledge share across the three days at the ICC Sydney from 31 October - 2 November 2023.

IMARC 2023 will also see us celebrate 10 years of IMARC and industry, reflecting on the progress the industry has made, and the new directions that mining companies, METS, Governments, and its value chain partners are embarking on to prepare for the future.

There are several ways you can get involved in IMARC, from accessing the full conference on a Delegate Pass, adding on networking events including the Gala Dinner or confirming your Expo Pass for as little as $15.

EARLY BIRD TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW. LEASE USE CODE TRULYAUS10 TO SAVE 10% ON DELEGATE PASSES.