Luxury holidays in Brisbane

When to go

Brisbane basks in year-round sun, with temperatures rarely dipping below 20°C. The peak of summer can be super-hot and wetter, with many locals escaping the sweltering city, which can make it quiet; winter is sunny and mild with little rain.

Getting there

• Planes

  Regular flights wing their way to Brisbane Airport (www.bne.com.au), 16 kilometres north-east of town, from all major Australian cities with Qantas (www.qantas.com.au), Virgin Blue (www.virginblue.com.au) and Jetstar (www.jetstar.com). Numerous international carriers also service the airport.

• Boats

  CityCat catamarans and CityFerries are a great way to get around, with stop-offs all along the river at major destinations. Translink tickets can be used across the transport network (www.translink.com.au).

• Trains

  The best way to reach Brisbane’s CBD from the airport’s international and domestic terminals, two kilometres apart, is by Airtrain (www.airtrain.com.au), which departs every 15 minutes during peak times for the 20-minute journey (single, AU$15; return, AU$28). Regional trains come into the main Roma Street Transit Centre (see www.qr.com.au); CountryLink (www.countrylink.info) operates daily express trains between Sydney and Brisbane.

• Automobiles

  Walking is an option in the city centre, but Brisbane is hilly and gets hot in summer, so you may prefer to drive. All major car hire companies can be found at Brisbane Airport or at downtown locations, including Avis (www.avis.com.au).

• Taxis

  Plentiful in Brisbane’s city centre, with ranks in the CBD and at the train station. To call one, try Yellow Cab Co (131924) or Black & White Cabs (131 008).