Brisbane: Difference between revisions
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* '''Summer''' (December–February) humidity is high and daytime temperatures frequently exceed 30°C, with night temperatures rarely dropping below 20°C. Occasional heat waves can raise the temperature in excess of 40°C, however these are not common. Just about any outdoor activity you do at the height of a regular summer day in Brisbane will leave you bathed in sweat. Loose-fitting clothing that protects you from the sun is appropriate attire for most casual activities, and air-conditioning will assure you a comfortable night's sleep or ride on public transport. Summer storms with hail and heavy rainfall are common in afternoons on hot, humid days. They usually pass quickly and often put on a good lightning show. Sunrise is as early as 4:45AM, and the latest sunsets are around 6:45PM.
* '''Autumn''' (March–May) sees a cool change in Brisbane with average daytime temperatures between 20 and 30°C. Most tourists not used to a humid climate will find this the best time to visit Brisbane, as the humidity lowers and the region shifts into a more comfortable, dry and sunny weather pattern, perfect for outdoor activities. Night-time temperatures usually drop to 10-20°C, with ambient heat from the day still radiating from the ground, keeping the early evening still warm and comfortable, though a light jacket may be required later at night.
* '''Winter''' (June–August) signals the region's dry season, with Brisbane experiencing cool, sunny, cloudless days. Temperatures typically go up to 25°C during the day with night-time temperatures rarely dropping below 5°C. The early-morning chill usually disappears by mid-morning and most of the daylight hours are relatively warm, however it is still recommended to have something warm to wear as this is not always the case. The eastern suburbs tend to be cooler as sea breezes blow in from the bay. Daylight hours run from 6:
* '''Spring''' (September–November) sees the revitalisation of the city with warmer days and fresh sea breezes coming in from the bay. Weather is similar to Autumn months, with increasing humidity as summer draws closer.
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==Get around==
=== By public transport ===▼
[[File:
The
▲===By public transport===
▲[[File:Brisbane transport MAN 18.310.jpg|thumb|Brisbane is well serviced by public transport with a large network of buses, trains and ferries.]]
▲Brisbane's trains, buses and ferries are run by a single provider known as Translink. The [http://www.translink.com.au Translink website] and app are handy for researching public transport options between destinations. Google Maps offers full public transport navigation, with real-time updated information across all modes.
Fare payments can be made with a '''[https://translink.com.au/about-translink/projects-and-initiatives/smart-ticketing contactless credit or debit card]''' (buses not available until 2025). Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted. Some prepaid cards may also work.
The fare is deducted as you touch on and touch off each mode of transport. You must touch both on and off for all journeys regardless of the mode of transport. A failure to touch off will result in a fixed fare of up to $30 being charged
▲The South East Queensland region is divided into 8 concentric [https://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/fares-and-zones "zones"] for fare purposes. All official public transport maps clearly mark the zones and zone boundaries. Zone 1 covers the CBD and inner city suburbs whilst zone 2 covers the outer suburbs. Your fare is determined by how many zones you travel through. Travelling between zones 2 and 3 will cost you the same as travelling between zones 7 and 8. Major destinations like shopping centres and busway stations are often used as zone boundaries. Stops that form part of the zone boundary are considered part of both zones.
Alternatively, fare payments can be made with a '''[http://translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/go-card go card]'''. The card costs $10 (refundable deposit) plus the travel credit you wish to top up (maximum $250). The card is available at train station ticket counters, busway fare machines, and selected newsagents and convenience stores. The card can be topped up at the same locations, including train station fare machines. Applying for a refund of the deposit and any unused travel credit can be a hassle. If you have paid by cash it can be processed directly at a train station, including the airport train station. If you have paid by credit card it can only be processed by cheque or transfer to an Australian bank account.
▲The fare is deducted as you touch on and touch off each mode of transport. You must touch both on and off for all journeys regardless of the mode of transport. A failure to touch off will result in a fixed fare of up to $30 being charged to the card. Train stations have fare gates or distinctive pink validators located on the platform. Ferries and buses are fitted with validators as you board.
▲Buying a go card removes the hassle of figuring out zones. Fares are discounted by 30% and free once you have paid for eight journeys within a week (Monday to Sunday). Translink uses the word "journey" to mean end-to-end journey including any required transfers, and the word "trip" to mean a single point-to-point trip. A journey can be made up of one or more trips on any mode of transport. When making a number of trips to get to your destination it is still one journey if you touch on within 60 minutes of touching off on your previous trip.
If you are going to be
▲Single paper tickets are available from train station ticket counters and all train and busway fare machines. They are only valid for one way journeys and come at a premium. Buses are now pre-paid only so you will need to purchase a paper ticket beforehand or use a go card / contactless card instead.
▲If you are going to be doing short-term extensive travel or using the Airtrain, you can buy a 3-day or 5-day unlimited travel SEEQ Card for $79 and $129 respectively. SEEQ cards work like regular go cards however provide additional discounts at various tourist attractions around South-East Queensland. You don't have to worry about topping up and refunds, but you'll struggle to get value out of it unless you are catching the Airtrain.
▲You can be fined $261 for travelling without a valid ticket.
====Trains====
Brisbane has a sizeable rail network. Most services are through-
====Buses====
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===By taxi===
Taxis are numerous throughout Brisbane and can take you anywhere
In the outer-suburban areas, cabs will pull over if you hail them down from the side of the road and can be found in designated taxi ranks in shopping centres, or near bars and pubs. The same can be said for the inner-city, however taxi ranks are more common and it's usually best to catch a cab from there. At night though, especially on Friday and Saturday, taxis exclusively pick up passengers from these ranks and you'd be extremely lucky if you get one elsewhere. These ranks are usually monitored by security and have ushers at night. From midnight-5:30AM on Friday and Saturday nights, all taxis from the CBD and Fortitude Valley become "FlatFare", meaning that there is a fixed price for any given destination and you will have to pay before entering the taxi.
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Taxis can be expensive in Brisbane; a trip between the airport and the city can be in excess of $50–60 and can easily run to over $100 if you go beyond the metropolitan Brisbane region.
=== By
Uber, Ola and DiDi are available.
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There are several toll roads in and around Brisbane (clearly signed and marked for approaching motorists), including the Gateway Bridge which crosses the river near the airport, the Clem-7 tunnel and the Go-Between Bridge. Cash is not accepted, toll users must have a prepaid transponder or post-pay via a website. Check the Linkt [https://www.linkt.com.au/brisbane website] for details.
A street directory or GPS unit is an essential addition to your car. Locals are generally friendly and more than willing to help you out if you are lost, so don't be afraid to ask.
===By motorcycle===
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Cycling on footpaths is legal in the Brisbane City Council area (maximum speed 10 km/h), however pedestrians have right of way. Keep left and take special care when riding through South Bank Parklands as the shared (and quite wide) foot and cycle path is often clogged with large groups taking up the whole path, pedestrians stopping unexpectedly for photos and playing children running heedlessly in front of you. It is often too noisy here to use your bell, so use your common sense, and dismount and push your bike through crowded pedestrian areas.
Maps showing extensive dedicated bikeways and shared paths in the Brisbane City Council area are available on the [https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/things-to-see-and-do/outdoor-activities/cycling-in-brisbane/cycling-brisbane-bikeway-map BCC website]{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }} and a journey planner is available [https://cyclingbrisbane.com.au/route-planner here]{{Dead link|date=September 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}. These bikeways offer a pleasant way to explore and enjoy Brisbane.
Some areas of Brisbane are very hilly. If your street map shows a tangle of winding streets close together that is a sign of steep roads. A short trip can quickly become a lot of work; stick to the river when possible, it's where you get the best views and it is almost entirely flat.
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===By foot===
Brisbane is an excellent city for walking and you should have no problems getting around the CBD. Within minutes of walking in virtually any direction you will be able to find a bus, train or ferry station. Maps can be purchased from bookstores, any tourist information centre or viewed online. There are also a number of shared pathways that offer relaxed walking routes away from roads and traffic. Beyond the CBD and inner-suburbs however, sights can become very spread out, so you might want to consider other modes of getting around. Areas near the river are relatively flat and are perfect for walking. If you find yourself lost, it's advisable to head to the nearest main road as more than likely it will be serviced by buses or trains.
==See==
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* '''Outer Suburbs''': Tend to have a higher crime rate than inner suburbs which should be taken into account when visiting these areas.
**Days: Very safe during the day, but using common sense goes a long way. Avoid gangs of people, especially if they seem trashy or obnoxious and be mindful if a questionable person approaches you.
**Nights: Like most other places, outer suburbs to get more dangerous. Most suburban streets are poorly lit or have no lighting at all. It is recommended that individuals walking in these areas at night take
* '''City Central/CBD''': Usually very safe at all hours.
**Days: Very safe during the day thanks to a good police presence and most people only being there for work. Though during school holidays groups of youths can congregate, especially around Queen St and South Bank and can get rather rowdy, but they usually mind their own business.
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