This article is about the Australian city. For other uses of Brisbane, see Brisbane (disambiguation).

Brisbane is the capital city of the state of Queensland, Australia. The city's name is pronounced "BRIZ-buhn", IPA: /ˈbɹɪzbən/. The City of Brisbane has around 940,000 inhabitants, while the surrounding metropolitan area population is around 1.73 million.

Brisbane is situated in the southeast corner of Queensland at latitude 27°28′S, longitude 153°02′E. The city straddles the Brisbane River, and its eastern suburbs line the shores of Moreton Bay. The greater Brisbane region lies on the coastal plain east of the Great Dividing Range.

Some of the major centres in greater Brisbane are:

• Ipswich - Home of Queensland Rail, famous for its huge Rail workshop which lies in the city for a pleasant tourist attraction. The population has nearly doubled since 1994. Population: 129,000.
• Logan City - a large growth area. Population: 171,292.
• Redcliffe - a beautiful mini city outside of Brisbane famous for its beaches and one of the longest bridges in the Southern Hemisphere which connects to the outskirts of the city to the Redcliffe Peninsula. Population: 51,723.
• Caboolture - A large area to the north of Brisbane. Population: 115,386.
• Pine Rivers - A shire associated with Brisbane. Population: 133,778.
• Redland - A shire overlooking Moreton Bay on the east of Brisbane. Population: 124,000.

Brisbane has a subtropical climate with warm, mild winters and hot, moist summers. Brisbane is subject to high humidity, mainly from November through to April. Summer thunderstorms are common, and Brisbane frequently experiences severe thunderstorms, containing hail and severe winds, during summer months.

Some of its climatic averages:

• Mean January maximum temperature — 29 °C (85 °F)
• Mean January minimum temperature — 21 °C (69 °F)
• Mean July maximum temperature — 20 °C (69 °F)
• Mean July minimum temperature — 10 °C (49 °F)
• Mean annual rainfall — 1146 mm (45.1 inches)
• Wettest month on average — January, 160 mm (6.3 inches)
• Driest month on average — August, 46 mm (1.8 inches)

Some of its historical extremes:

• Hottest maximum temperature — 43.2°C (109.8°F), 26 January 1940
• Coldest minimum temperature — 2.3°C (36.1°F), 12 July 1894 and 2 July 1896
• Wettest month — 1026 mm (40.4 inches) of rainfall, February 1893
• Wettest day — 465 mm (18.3 inches), 21 January 1887
• Highest wind gust — 145 km/h (90 m/h)

The estimated population of the City of Brisbane is 938,384 (as of June 2003). Together with surrounding Local Government Areas, Brisbane has an estimated metropolitan population of 1,733,200 as of 2003. Brisbane City Council is the most populous Local Government Area in Australia and is one of the largest cities in the world in terms of geographic area. Brisbane boasts Australia's highest rate of capital city population growth. The metropolitan population reportedly grew by 10.5% between 1998 and 2003.

Brisbane has a diverse and generally vibrant economy with many sectors and industries represented in the city's total production of goods and services. Both white-collar and blue-collar industries are present, with white-collar industries such as information technology, financial services, higher education and public sector administration generally concentrated in and around the central business district and recently established office parks in the outer suburbs. Blue-collar industries such as petroleum refining, stevedoring, paper milling, metalworking and QR railway workshops tend to be located on the lower reaches of the Brisbane River and in new industrial zones on the urban fringe.

During the late 1990s and early 2000s the Queensland state government has been attempting to develop technology and science industries in Queensland as a whole, and Brisbane in particular, as part of its "Smart State" campaign. The government has invested in several biotechnology and research facilities at several universities in Brisbane. The Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland (UQ) St Lucia Campus is a large CSIRO and Queensland state government initiative for research and innovation that is currently being emulated at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Campus at Kelvin Grove. According to the state government this QUT facility is intended to cross-fertilise with the UQ facility and is an attempt to make Brisbane a science and research hub of Australia and the region.

On 27 March 2004, former civil engineer Campbell Newman defeated incumbent Lord Mayor Tim Quinn in mayoral elections. Newman is a member of the Liberal Party and is only the second Liberal Lord Mayor of Brisbane.

The area of Brisbane city is split into 26 wards, which each elect a council member as a representative. The Lord Mayor is also elected by a popular vote, in which all residents must participate. Voting occurs every four years. Currently, the Labor Party has a majority of seats on Council, causing inevitable problems as the Labor-dominated Council and the Liberal Lord Mayor argue over policy.

The city is named for Sir Thomas Brisbane (1773–1860), British soldier and colonial administrator born in Ayrshire, Scotland. However before British colonisation, the Brisbane area was known as 'Meeaan-jin' by the Turrbul tribe.

In 1823, the explorer John Oxley discovered the Brisbane River and in 1824, the first convict colony was established at Redcliffe Point. Only one year later, the colony was moved south from Redcliffe to North Quay on the Brisbane River, which is now part of Brisbane's CBD. The colony was sluggish in development, and at one time in dire straits as the population of the area had dropped dramatically from the lack of new convicts and distance from Sydney. In 1842, the area was opened up for free settlement and settlers took advantage of the abundance of timber in the area. Grazing and farming took hold quickly on the fertile land of the coastal plain, but the convict colony was eventually closed.

By 1869 almost all of the Turrbul people had died. The few remaining survivors escaped the region with the help of a settler, Tom Petrie.

When Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859 and became a colony in its own right, Brisbane was declared the capital, but it was not until 1902 that Brisbane was officially designated a city. Gold was discovered north of Brisbane, around the Maryborough and Gympie areas, but Brisbane failed to prosper from the proximity of this valuable resource. Most monies went south to Sydney and Melbourne so Brisbane somewhat missed out on the grandeur and opulent architecture evident in the southern cities.

In 1924, the City of Brisbane Act was passed, combining a number of small local government areas to form the current city in 1925.

During World War II, many US forces were stationed in and around the city, and, for a time, it was the headquarters for General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Allied Commander, South West Pacific Area. The notorious Brisbane Line, drawn on the map just north of the city, was to be the line to be defended to the utmost when the Japanese Imperial forces invaded Australia. Everything north of the line was expendable.

On November 26 and November 27 1942 conflict broke out between US and Australian servicemen stationed in Brisbane. By the time the violence had been quelled one Australian soldier was dead, and hundreds of Australian and US servicemen, and a small number of civilians were injured. Thousands of soldiers were involved in the battle on both sides. This incident, which was heavily censored at the time and apparently was not reported in the US at all is known as the Battle of Brisbane.

Brisbane has been inundated by three severe floods of the Brisbane River — in 1864, 1893 and 1974.

• 1982 Commonwealth Games
• 1988 Expo 88
• 1991 International Convention of Lions Clubs International
• 2001 Goodwill Games
• 2003 International Convention of Rotary International
• 2003 Hosted matches during Rugby Union World Cup
• 2004 International Biology Olympiad
• 2004 International Youth Physics Tournament

• Annual Brisbane Exhibition Agricultural Show or "Ekka"
• Annual State of Origin Rugby League football series at Suncorp Stadium

Sights to see in the city's centre include Southbank Parklands (the site of Expo 88) and the recently developed Roma Street Parklands. Boutiques in Fortitude Valley and Queen Street Mall provide a varied shopping experience, providing shoppers with a mix of established international labels alongside local talent. The CityCat ferry service runs along the Brisbane River from the University of Queensland's Saint Lucia campus to Brett's Wharf at Hamilton, it is an scenic and highly enjoyable method of getting from one side of town to the other. Brisbane is also home to:

• Rockclimbing cliffs, parklands and riverside bikeways (suburb: Kangaroo Point)
• The Story Bridge - A Brisbane Landmark bridge which connects the two sides of the city
• Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, which displays many native Australian animals, and where you can have your photo taken with a koala (suburb: Fig Tree Pocket).
• The XXXX brewery, one of Australia's most famous beers (suburb: Milton).
• The Brisbane City Botanic Gardens located by the river adjacent to the Queensland University of Technology(QUT) Gardens Point campus.
• Mount Coot-tha lookout with adjacent Brisbane Botanic Gardens.
• Other lookouts are situated on the tops of (suburb: Mount Gravatt) and Mount Petrie.
• The koala parklands in the southeast outskirts where these marsupials can be seen in a natural setting. (suburb: Burbank)
• The recently-refurbished (2004) Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium located in the Mt Coot-tha botanic gardens.
• Rocks Riverside Parklands, the region's largest park. (suburb: Seventeen Mile Rocks)
• a number of large sporting venues such as The Gabba and Lang Park stadium.
• a network of bikeways and many public swimming pools.

Brisbane is blessed with many other tourist attractions within a short travelling distance.

Brisbane is home of many traditional and modern landmarks, some of are Queensland icons and others resemble a great significance to specific heritage, sport or even residential standards. Here are some of Brisbane's finest buildings and landmarks.

• Story Bridge - One of Australia's finest bridges and a true Queensland and Brisbane landmark. The bridge is the home of the River Festival and is beautifully lit up by night. Bridge climbs are becoming a major tourist attraction.
• Central Plaza 1 & 2 - Currently Brisbane's tallest inhabited office building and second-tallest structure, and the third highest skyscraper in Queensland. Central Plaza 1 sits at 174m, 571ft and was constructed in 1988. It has been a feature landmark in Brisbane City ever since that date. Designed by famous japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa modelled on a split shard of crystal.
• Waterfront Place - The Waterfront Place is the second tallest building in Brisbane. At 162m, the tower also houses many restaurants, cafes and bars at the ground level, the Waterfront Place is the most recognisable tower in the Brisbane skyline. Recently acquired by AMP Property, the three glass towers of AMP, Comalco and Waterfront Place are now all owned by AMP.
• State Law Building - With its unique design, the State Law Building is known locally as 'Gotham City' because of its similarities to buildings in the Batman series. The refurbishment was designed by a local female architect from Conrad & Gargett.
• Brisbane City Hall - The Brisbane City Hall was the most expensive building in Australia until the creation of the Sydney Opera House. At night, the Brisbane City Hall is lit up for a spectacular view.
• Lang Park - Known these days as Suncorp Stadium, the stadium is the home of Queensland Rugby League and has been for many years. Recently reconstructed, the stadium is recognised as one of the greatest sporting venues in Australia and the world.
• Treasury Casino - Housed, as the name suggests, in the old Treasury building, the casino has a very attractive facade which is lit up by night.
• ANZ Stadium - The third largest sporting arena in Queensland (after Suncorp Stadium and The Gabba), ANZ Stadium has a great history. Historic events that have happened at the ground include the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the 2001 Goodwill Games.
• The Skyneedle - Originally built for the World Expo '88 which was held in Brisbane, the Skyneedle stands 88m from the ground and in special events it is able to beam lights like a lighthouse and can be seen from more than 60km away. The Skyneedle was about to be relocated to it's new destination which would have been Disneyworld in Tokyo, but local Millionaire Stefan Ackerie bought the rights to claim it Brisbane's own and also relocated the famous Queensland Monument 500m away from it's original location in South Bank. The copper canopy below was originally a gift to Expo 88 from MIM Holdings.
• The Gabba - Sporting venue for the Queensland Bulls (Cricket) and the Brisbane Lions (Aussie Rules) and was also home of football matches of the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
• Brisbane Exhibition Ground - Operated by the RNA (Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland), the showgrounds are home to the annual RNA Show, better known as the Ekka which attractions more than 600,000 visitors every year. The showgrounds are also periodically used for other large events.
• Queensland Museum - Brisbane is home of the Queensland Museum which is located at the South Bank Parklands.
• AMP Place - The Gold Tower is one of Brisbane's great business identities. Brisbane's first 'true' skyscraper at 130m and built in 1978 in an area of the CBD that was still mainly wharves, it set a benchmark for new towers that proceeded it.
• Riverside Centre - A modern, heritage-listed building which hosts weekend markets and is also the location of several well-known restaurants, as well as the Brisbane Stock Exchange. Designed by Harry Seidler back in 1986.

Some buildings under construction, as of 2005:

• Aurora Tower - This major construction will become Brisbane's tallest building once finished completion in early 2005. Featuring Residential and Commercial status, and standing at a height of approximately 207m, it will be an official landmark set by the City Council and Lord Mayor.
• Riparian Plaza - The Riparian Plaza will boast some of Queensland's finest apartments and views, with its texture and quality similar to the San Siro Stadium in Milan it should be completed in March 2005. It is Brisbane's first major building to combine both commercial and residential floors. Its designed by Harry Seidler, one of Australias most successful and famous of architects, who worked and trained with Walter Gropius, Burley Griffin and Lloyd Wright. Riparian will stand 200m to roof and 248m to spire.
• Emerald Tower - A proposal which will lead it to become one of the tallest buildings in Australia. The height has been disputed several times and might be the main problem concerning the construction and its close proximity to St Johns Cathedral
• Vision Tower - At 246m tall it is going to be one of the tallest buildings in the southern hemisphere on completion, climbing 72 storeys above ground. It will replace the Baroque on Mary and Margaret streets which was planned to be built in the same area.

Brisbane has a thriving performing arts culture, housed in theatres such as La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre in Kelvin Grove, the Optus Playhouse and Lyric theatre at Southbank, the Powerhouse in New Farm, the Brisbane Arts Theatre on Petrie Terrace and the recently opened "Judith Wright Centre" in Fortitude Valley.

Brisbane's CBD, in particular the fashionable Queen Street Mall, has a wide range of restaurants, thousands of award winning Shopping Centres, Night Clubs, music and souvenirs.

South Bank Parklands is built on the former World Expo site and is famous for the firework displays it hosts at various times of the year. It is also a tourist attraction, featuring the beautiful Riverside Walkway and musical and arts festivals.

• The Gold Coast about 70 km south-east of Brisbane. It is a major tourist zone with approximately 40 km of beaches, as well as theme parks, canals and mountain hinterland.
• The Sunshine Coast is a collection of beachside communities backed by a subtropical hinterland.
• Toowoomba is a garden city located inland and 700 m above sea level on the Great Dividing Range.
• Ipswich, Queensland is a satellite city located approximately 40 km South-West of Brisbane and is well known for its Queensland Rail Workshop in the North of the town.

Brisbane is served by six broadcast television stations: ABC, Seven, Nine, Ten, SBS, and community television station Briz 31.

In addition to the community radio station 4ZZZ, there are nine commercial radio stations in Brisbane: 4BC, 4BH, 4TAB, 4KQ, B105 FM, Triple M, NEW 97.3, River 94.9 and NovaFM.

The ABC transmits all five of its radio networks to Brisbane: 612 ABC, Radio National, Triple J, Newsradio and ABC Classic FM. SBS also broadcasts its national radio network to Brisbane.

Brisbane's local sporting teams are:

• Basketball — Brisbane Bullets
• Cricket — Queensland Bulls
• Rugby Union — Queensland Reds
• Rugby League — Brisbane Broncos
• Australian Rules Football (AFL) — Brisbane Lions
• Football (soccer) — Queensland Roar FC (note: This team was previously known as the Queensland Lions but they changed their team name in 2005 to avoid confusion with the Brisbane Lions AFL team)
• Netball — Queensland Firebirds

A number of tertiary education institutions have campuses in Brisbane, or in the surrounding areas:

• Australian Catholic University
• Central Queensland University
• Griffith University
• Queensland University of Technology
• University of Canberra
• University of New South Wales
• University of Southern Queensland
• University of Queensland

• Kobe, Japan (July 1985)
• Auckland, New Zealand (August 1988)
• Shenzhen, People's Republic of China (June 1992)
• Semarang, Indonesia (January 1993)
• Kaohsiung, Republic of China (September 1997)
• Saint Louis, Missouri, United States (November 2004)

• Archerfield Airport
• Brisbane International Airport

See the list of Brisbane suburbs.

Originally the neighbouring city of Ipswich was intended to be the capital of Queensland but Ipswich proved too far inland to allow access by large ships and so Brisbane was chosen as the capital instead.

Within the Brisbane CBD, all major streets are named for a former British king or queen. Streets named for a queen are parallel to Queen St and streets named for a king are perpendicular to Queen St allowing for easier navigation within the city centre.

• List of Brisbane railway stations
• List of Brisbane Bridges

• History Of Brisbane - BrisBites
• Suburban history
• Official website
• http://www.ourbrisbane.com
• http://www.cityofbrisbane.info
• Pictures of Brisbane - Terra Galleria
• Skyneedle Information