Business in Brisbane

By Michael Young

Recently, I attended a week-long conference in Brisbane, and although much of my time was spent attending to the business side of the trip, I was determined to see as much as I could of the city. It’s from this perspective, as opposed to the usual tourist spiel that I will convey my experience.

First impressions; made in moments, last a lifetime, and count for, commonly, everything. I loved it. Having lived in Australia for nearly a year, this was somehow my first time to any of the capitals. And what an impression it made. I stayed in an area of the city known as South Bank, across the river from the CBD.  This is an area with such a variety of restaurants, I was literally spoilt for choice. Fine cuisine, Turkish, tapas, Chinese, Japanese, cafés and chocolatiers! All of which are my favourites. The quality of the food was excellent, though one might come to expect this in any affluent area of any major city. What struck me was the quality of service across the board. Every person I spoke to was friendly, especially the staff, expressing top end professionalism everywhere I ate.

My first day “on the job” coincidentally involved leaving the city, heading north to the Glasshouse Mountains. This is a stunning area to visit and it’s only an hour’s drive north of Brisbane. I found both the geological (geek) and aboriginal tales behind this area very interesting, and the day was topped by a trip to the Mary Cairncross Rainforest Reserve, an area preserved from logging and absolutely worth a visit. My advice would be to hire a car and make a day of it. It’s not on the usual backpacker/tourist route and will most certainly enhance your experience.

The city itself is visually imposing, with beautiful architecture to be seen from most of the high rises. It’s grand, striking, modern appearance marries fantastically with the general atmosphere, which reeks of smart professionalism and a laid back party mood. Many cities can offer a similar amount of choice in a night out, but in Brisbane, this choice, the setting and, almost definitely the weather seem to make it all gel in a unique way. I was also fortunate enough to get to the Gabba to see an Aussie Rules game up close (my first). Go, if you have the chance, even if you’re not big on sport. Beer on tap, chit chatting to the face painted locals to the right in between shouts of support and again, the same energetic, positive feeling was perfect before a night out on the town.

As a tourist, alas, I was to be disappointed in that I was committed to spending most of my time in the exhibition centre. This is around the corner from the Queensland Museum, which is also worth a visit if you have a morning (or entire day depending on how keen you are). There’s a wide range of specimens to be seen, and there’s a lot on the flora and fauna of Queensland (much of which can kill you so worth taking notes). They are currently hosting the British Museum’s; “Mummy – Secrets of the Tomb” exhibition, and as I haven’t, ashamedly, been to the British Museum, I took full advantage.

In summary, Brisbane is a very “happening” city. There’s so much going on – this is a city for the urban explorer. Its modern, metropolitan feel instantly lightens your mood, and the only downside to my visit was the duration. In my short and rather limited stay, I know I only got a sample of what this city can offer, and feel myself only wanting more.

I found myself saying to a friend; “If I leave Australia, I want to have lived in Brisbane first”. It’s on that note that I leave this incredible city for your consideration.

Michael Young, August 2012