[Richard7666]

Hi, I'm considering going overseas next year when I've graduated at the end of this year, looking at Brisbane because I have family and friends there, and it's also the centre of the Australian videogames industry which is a field I hope to put my degree to good use in.

However, what are the surroundings like? In Invercargill, when you get sick of it you hop in a car for a bit and wind up in Queenstown or Fiordland or some other amazing Southland locale, which I love, but doing the same amount of travel in Brisbane would probably take you...where, exactly? Or is it not really plausible to leave the city much? I know there are the beaches, but is there anything else? Also, how accessible are said beaches anyway (say, from near the CBD)?

Are there any Southlanders here who live or have lived in Brisbane? Because the summer climate might be another concern. Yyou'd think I'd love the 'great' weather, considering I'm from Southland, but apparently it can become overbearing and unpleasant? Also what time does it get dark?

[rowells]

Hi Richard,
I am not a Southlander, I am English, in the UK at the moment, but did live in Brisbane city for 2 years back in 2002.
I loved Brisbane, its a great city, not too big, and easy to get around by foot or boat. The beaches are about 45 mins to an hour drive away, north to the sunshine coast which is nice with great swimming beaches, or south to the gold coast which is built up, good night life, with surfers paradise beach, it also has places like dream world/sea world etc etc if you like that kind of stuff. Inland from brissi is the hinterlands which are pretty.
Summer is torture!!!! Very hot and humid, very hard to do any activities in that heat I would say. But spring, autumn and winter are divine, fine and lovely.
Further away north you hit harvey bay which is good for whale watching and then there is frazer island which is always good for an adventure! These are prob 4 to 5 hours drive north from city.
Around Brisbane there are also islands to visit but again this would be based on a beach break, althoough Tangalooma is great where you can quad bike on the sand dumes.
Anyway, hope this is of some help to you, any more info you need please ask.
Rache

[batgirl1001]

Hi

I too lived in Brisbane for 2 years and really like the city. It has a relaxing pace and lifestyle about it and is not too crowded when you compare it to Sydney and Melbourne.

On weekends, people love to head out to the coast- up Noosa or down Gold Coast. Have your pick:- the beaches are fantastic.

There are things always happening on the southbank, or you can hang out at Fortitude Valley; now a hip and trendy area, or my personal favourite places are located at West End.

There are plenty of walks and hikes to do in the area- like Mt Nebo, Mt Tambourine, Mt Coolum etc which are great ways to get back to nature. I also highly recommend you pick up a sport: like surfing or diving. There are such wonderful diving reefs in Queenslands, something that would be impossible to do in Southland.

I'll also loved to head out to Frasier Island or Moreton Island where its fun to go down the tallest sand dune in the world.

In summer the weather can be very hot and dry but it is also a great time to go to the beaches and get a wonderful tan and the days are longer with sunset usually about 7-8pm.

[Richard7666]

Sounds like all the activities are water based; I think diving might be kinda cool.
I'll miss it getting dark at 11pm though =(