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Brisbane, Queensland

Guide to Brisbane

Aboriginal name : Meeanjin (pronounced Mee-an-jin) 

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• Getting to Brisbane
• When to visit
• Accessibility

Queensland’s sunny capital offers up laidback charm and urban energy with a dash of adventure.

Brisbane is a city that lives up to its sunny potential with a strong focus on the outdoors – think al fresco dining, picnics by the river, islands just off the coast and national parks. Add to this a dynamic cultural precinct, abundant wildlife and easy access to nearby icons like the Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef, and you’ve got a destination you can’t say no to.

The traditional name for Brisbane is Meeanjin, meaning ‘the place of the blue water lilies.’ Brisbane was founded upon the homelands of the Turrbal and Yuggera peoples, whose Country stretches north from Elimbah Creek, south to the Logan River and inland as far as Moggill. Discover Brisbane's thriving First Nations culture with a range of unforgettable tours and experiences .

• Traditional name for Central Brisbane: Meeanjin (pronounced Mee-an-jin) 
• Indigenous Peoples: Turrbal and Yuggera peoples
• Traditional languages: Yugara
• How to say g’day in Yugara: Gurumba bigi

Getting to Brisbane is easy with both domestic and international flights arriving directly into Brisbane Airport. 

• Brisbane Airport (BNE) is 17km (10mi) from the city and services international and domestic arrivals 
• Hire cars, ride shares and a shuttle service are available from both airports

Once you’ve arrived, Brisbane is an easy city to get around. The city has a great range of options for public transport, including trains, buses and even river ferries. It's also an easy city to drive and walk around. Learn more about  getting around Brisbane .

As would be expected from the capital of the Sunshine State, Brisbane really comes into its own in summer as sunseekers flock here for the idyllic weather . In summer, temperatures and humidity can rise, so locals head to the coast. The benefit of Brisbane’s subtropical climate is that winter is very mild with lots of blue skies and moderate temperatures. In fact, Brisbane boasts an average of 261 days of sunshine per year. 

• High season: Spring and summer (November to February)
• Low season: Winter (June to August)
• Don’t miss: Brisbane’s calendar of events and festivals

Brisbane provides many accessible options for exploring the city. You'll find a range of  accessible accommodation , wheelchair-friendly experiences  and activities for travellers with sensory sensitivities . 

• Arrival: Brisbane Airport provides special assistance for people with disabilities – including hidden disabilities – throughout the airport journey.
• Getting around: The TransLink website provides information on city trains, while Brisbane City Council buses have low floors and ramps. All CityCat river ferries and most ferry terminals are also fully accessible.
• Accessible experience highlights: Exceptional staff are on hand to help wheelchair users and people with disabilities revel in the views from the Wheel of Brisbane . People travelling with mobility aids can also embark on a Brisbane Whale Watching cruise to spot the migrating ocean giants.
• Helpful resources: Changing Places is a great resource for those needing highly accessible bathrooms. For ideas on things to do, check out this accessible travel guide .

Where to eat in Brisbane

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Top coffee shops

Cheap eats in Brisbane

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Travel tips and essentials.

Where to stay

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Holiday destinations near Brisbane

The Gold Coast

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North Stradbroke Island

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3 days in Brisbane

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Explore another city.

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Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge the Traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Owners of the land, sea and waters of the Australian continent, and recognise their custodianship of culture and Country for over 60,000 years.

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Brisbane   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Demosthenes Mateo Jr | Getty Images

Why Go To Brisbane

When mapping out your Australian vacation, a visit to Queensland's capital may not be your first choice. The country's third largest metropolis is often overlooked in favor of Australia's more well-known tourist hot spots, such as  Sydney and Melbourne . But Brisbane's subtropical climate, thriving arts and live music scene and bevy of outdoor to-dos make it a worthy destination for your next trip Down Under. 

Tucked into the southeast corner of Queensland (aka the Sunshine State), Brisbane is as easygoing as it is sophisticated. The city's riverside setting makes it an ideal getaway for adventurers, but its trendy restaurant and nightlife scene will also appeal to those seeking a big-city ambiance. Thrill-seekers will delight in heart-pumping activities like climbing Story Bridge , while sports fanatics cannot miss a chance to catch a rugby match at Suncorp Stadium . Meanwhile, those craving relaxation will find it at the City Botanic Gardens ,  Roma Street Parkland  and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha .

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Best of Brisbane

Best hotels in brisbane.

• in Emporium Hotel
• in Hilton Brisbane
• in The New Inchcolm Hotel Brisbane MGallery by Sofitel

Best Things to Do in Brisbane

• # 1 in Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha
• # 2 in City Botanic Gardens
• # 3 in Story Bridge

Popular Tours

Moreton Island Day Trip (Kayak, Snorkel & Sandboard) frm Brisbane or Gold Coast

(431 reviews)

from $ 112.24

Brisbane River Cruise with entry to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

(1059 reviews)

from $ 73.06

All-Inclusive Dolphin & Tangalooma Wrecks Day Cruise Brisbane

(203 reviews)

from $ 132.16

Brisbane Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Brisbane is from March to May – autumn in the Southern Hemisphere. Temperatures during this season hover between the high 50s and mid-80s with little rainfall later in the season. But keep in mind that you will need to slather on the sunscreen: Brisbane sees an average of eight hours of sun per day thanks to its subtropical climate. The city's winter (June to August) and spring (September to November) are also popular times to visit thanks to the mild temps and dry days. But these two seasons also see plenty of hotels booked solid, especially in September during the month-long arts celebration known as the Brisbane Festival. If you're planning to visit during the arts festival, arrange your accommodations well in advance. You'll find better airfare and hotel room deals during Brisbane's wet, humid season, which spans from December all the way to early March. Just note that the soggy weather might put a damper on your outdoor activities.

Weather in Brisbane

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

• Think in opposites The seasons are different (America's summer is Australia's winter), and so are the driving rules. Remember: Aussies drive on the left side of the road.
• Tipping isn't expected It's customary to leave a 10 percent tip in upscale restaurants, but gratuity isn't as much a social rule as it is in the U.S.
• Wear sunscreen Brisbane experiences an average of eight hours of sun per day, meaning you'll need to protect yourself accordingly.

How to Save Money in Brisbane

• Buy a go card If you plan to use the city's public transportation system (which we highly recommend), buy a card . You'll get a fare discount by using this reloadable card instead of a paper ticket for every ride.
• Use two wheels instead of four In addition to public transportation, plan on relying on two wheels. You'll find Brisbane's 140-plus CityCycle bike-sharing stations scattered throughout the city. A daily subscription will only set you back AU$2 (about $1.50), or return your bike within 30 minutes to enjoy a free ride.
• Avoid a wintertime visit Winter (June to August) is the city's peak tourist season. Hotels and attractions are full of Aussies fleeing chilly temps in Sydney and Melbourne . You'll find better deals in the fall or spring.

Culture & Customs

As Queensland's bustling capital, Brisbane is an energetic, trendy metropolis with a thriving arts and restaurant scene. But while it may have embraced a cool, contemporary disposition to match that of its siblings, Sydney and Melbourne , Brisbane still has one foot firmly tied to its Aboriginal roots. You'll see this in the song and dance demonstrations of the Yuggera tribe, which gathers at the base of the Kangaroo Point Cliffs (just south of downtown Brisbane).

But Brisbane's Aboriginal birthright is only one part of its overall history: The city's military heritage is also remembered with several memorial sites, including ANZAC Square and the National Freedom Wall in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha . ANZAC Day – a national day of remembrance in both Australia and New Zealand – honors the military contributions and sacrifices of each country's servicemen and women. ANZAC Day, celebrated annually on April 25, is a national public holiday similar to Memorial Day in the U.S., so if you're visiting in late April, be prepared for businesses and attractions to be closed.

Americans should feel at home here, with English as the official language. However, getting behind the wheel will take a little getting used to since Aussies drive on the left side of the road. Also, Brisbane is located in the Southern Hemisphere, so the seasons are opposite of what those of us living in the Northern Hemisphere are used to: Our summer is Brisbane's winter. For currency, Aussies use the Australian dollar. AU$1 equals about $0.76, but currency rates tend to fluctuate, so consult a currency calculator before your trip.

Sports are an important component of Brisbane culture. Two massive venues – The Gabba and Suncorp Stadium – host rugby, football (soccer) and cricket games with crowds of 40,000 to 50,000 screaming fans. But Brisbane's love of sport doesn't stop there. Thanks to the city's sunny weather and diverse public spaces (like Roma Street Parkland ), Brisbanites are an active community.

What to Eat

You'll find just about every type of cuisine in Brisbane, from Turkish and Chinese to Vietnamese, Spanish and, of course, Australian. Aussie staples served in Brisbane and throughout the country include meat pies (a meat and gravy-stuffed baked pastry), potato wedges and various meats coated with piri piri (a spicy sauce). Don't be surprised if you spot kangaroo, wallaby, emu or crocodile listed as specialty menu items. Given the city's proximity to the ocean, many of Brisbane's restaurants also feature locally sourced seafood, such as seasonal oysters, murray cod, barramundi and mulloway.

Explore Brisbane's downtown area to experience some of the city's top restaurants. Esquire and The EURO  are two popular eateries situated less than a mile from each other on Brisbane's north bank (a little more than a mile from the city center). Both restaurants receive a stamp of approval from locals and travelers alike for their delicious, inventive cuisine. Stokehouse Q , which sits just south of the city center in South Brisbane, is another visitor favorite thanks to its modern Australian menu (think roast lamb rump and smoked swordfish). Stick around the area's South Bank district for the best waterfront dining. This emerging culinary area boasts trendy, alfresco eateries that offer everything from classic Italian to Champagne and oyster bars. For more European-inspired menus, check out New Farm, a suburb on Brisbane's north bank. Quaint bistros, elegant wine bars and a popular local haunt, Chouquette Boulangerie Patisserie , can be found along the tree-lined streets.

Farmers markets are another big part of Brisbane's foodie culture. The popular Boundary Street Markets set up shop in one of Brisbane's suburbs, the West End, every Friday and Saturday. But you can also find Jan Powers Farmers Markets stationed in various neighborhoods around the city, including downtown Queen Street, New Farm, Mitchelton and Manly. Other popular food bazaars include Brisbane MarketPlace Rocklea and Eat Street Markets .

Don't expect to encounter any major crime when visiting Brisbane. However, as with any large city, you should take precautions. Stay alert when walking around unfamiliar areas, especially at night.

While you won't have to worry about the threat of serious crime when visiting Queensland's capital, don't forget about another, often forgotten danger: the sun. Because of Brisbane's subtropical location, it's easy to get burned quickly – even on overcast days. Remember to wear sunscreen and a brimmed hat if you're out and about.

Getting Around Brisbane

The best way to get around Brisbane is by public transportation. Thanks to the combination of buses, ferries, trams and trains operated by TransLink, the central business district and outer suburbs are easy to reach. You can even take a train from the Brisbane Airport (BNE) to the central business district via the city's Airtrain system. (The airport is located about 11 miles northeast of the downtown area.) Or, rely on your own two feet to get around the city. Brisbane's compact size lends itself well to biking and walking, especially along the many paths that follow the river's winding curves. Only rent a car if you plan to drive to Brisbane's outer regions, like Moreton Bay or the Redlands; you won't need your own set of wheels with this city's reliable public transportation.

To effortlessly transfer between the various public transportation modes, use a frequent rider pass, like a go card or seeQ card. A seeQ card allows you to use any TransLink bus, train, tram or ferry for three or five consecutive days. With this card, you can travel throughout Brisbane. Plus, the card includes two Airtrain trips. A go card differs from a seeQ card in that you can choose how much money to put on the card. You can refill the balance of your card online, at go card locations and at fare machines in train stations and select bus stations. Fares for Brisbane's public transportation are determined on a zone system. There are eight zones, but most of the top attractions in Brisbane are situated within Zone 1.

Entry & Exit Requirements

To enter Australia, you must have a valid U.S. passport and a tourist visa. If you have a U.S. passport and plan to be in Australia for less than 90 days, you are required to have an Electronic Travel Authority, an electronic, label-free visa that you can obtain online through the Australian Government Department of Immigration and Border Protection's website . Your airline or travel agent can also apply for one on your behalf. For more information, visit the U.S. State Department's  website .

For some of the best views of Brisbane's skyline, climb Story Bridge , rent a kayak or hop aboard a CityHopper ferry.

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See Maps of Where Eclipse Seekers Flocked and the Traffic That Followed

Movement data shows the destinations with the greatest influx of people.

By Charlie Smart

PATH OF TOTALITY

St. Johnsbury

Adirondack Park

Ste. Genevieve

Ozarks region

Greater increase

in activity

Texas Hill Country

Note: The map shows change in movement activity on Monday, compared with an average of the movement activity on the previous four Mondays.

Source: Mapbox (movement data)

Monday’s solar eclipse drew huge crowds to the path of totality, temporarily ballooning the populations of small towns and rural areas across the country. The map above shows an estimate of where human activity increased the most on Monday, compared with that on an average Monday, according to data from Mapbox, an online mapping company.

Some towns in the path of totality expected their populations to double, and the data — drawn from mobile-device activity — showed such increases in many places.

Among the towns with more than 100 percent increases in activity were St. Johnsbury, Vt.; Lancaster, N.H.; and Ste. Geneviève, Mo. State parks like the Adirondack Park in New York and many areas in the Ozarks region of Arkansas and Missouri were also popular destinations. The data includes activity for the entire day and also shows a pattern of movement away from the path of totality, as seen in the darker areas on the edges of the path in the map above.

Around midafternoon Monday came the main event: the moment of totality, when the moon moved fully in front of the sun, turning daylight to darkness. That climax lasted only a few minutes, and then eclipse watchers started their trips home or to hotels.

Source: TomTom

Traffic was stopped or delayed along some highways more than eight hours later, according to data from TomTom, a mapping and navigation company. Officials in many parts of the country had warned of snarled traffic, and roads in the Northeast — from New York to Maine — had the greatest concentration of hourslong delays.

Interstate 87 in New York had a line of traffic more than 55 miles long around 6 p.m., and cars were still backed up for miles at 11 p.m. on Interstate 93 in New Hampshire, more than seven hours after the eclipse, according to TomTom.

On a normal weekday afternoon, the 210-mile drive from Burlington, Vt., to Somerville, Mass., takes about three and a half hours. On Monday, the same trip took Liam Sullivan, 26, of Somerville, more than nine hours after watching the eclipse.

“The worst part was that in the first four hours we only went about 40 miles,” Mr. Sullivan said. “A solid marathoner is beating our pace there. It was completely hopeless congestion the entire time.”

Eclipse watchers in Burlington, Vt., at Lake Champlain.

Cassandra Klos for The New York Times

Interstate 93 in New Hampshire many hours after the eclipse.

Nick Perry/Associated Press

While drivers in the Northeast faced the worst of the delays, there were also long traffic jams outside of Indianapolis, St. Louis and Columbus, Ohio.

Traffic delays at 9 p.m. Eastern time

Indianapolis

“It was definitely the worst traffic I’ve ever seen in my life,” said Richard Chen, who spent nine hours driving from Newport, Vt. to his home in Brooklyn, N.Y., after the eclipse.

Despite the traffic, Mr. Chen said he didn’t see any road rage. “I think people were just kind of thrilled to witness the eclipse, and the traffic and road tripping was just part of the experience,” he said.

Was the drive worth it? For Mr. Chen, there was no question. “Definitely,” he said, noting that the next major U.S. eclipse will take place in 2045.

Mr. Sullivan wasn’t so sure. He said that the eclipse was stunning and that he was grateful to witness it but added: “If you told me yesterday how long it would take, I would have gone back to bed.”

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Public Health

How florida and arizona supreme court rulings change the abortion access map.

Selena Simmons-Duffin

Hilary Fung

In a few weeks, Florida and Arizona are set to join most states in the southern U.S. in banning abortion. It's a significant shake up to the abortion legal landscape, and data shared exclusively with NPR maps and quantifies what the changes will mean for millions of Americans.

On Tuesday, the Arizona Supreme Court cleared the way for an 1864 law to be enforced. That law completely bans abortion except when someone's life is in danger. Last week, the Florida Supreme Court made its decision to allow a ban on abortions after six weeks gestation to take effect on May 1.

Caitlin Myers , an economics professor at Middlebury College in Vermont, has been tracking abortion facilities and travel distances since 2009. She analyzed how these latest rulings will affect the access map.

"Because of these bans, it's about 6 million women of reproductive age who are experiencing an increase in distance of more than 200 miles," she says.

She points out that Floridians who are seeking abortions after six weeks will have to travel nearly 600 miles to North Carolina, which has a 72-hour waiting period. "So we're talking about a day's drive to a state that requires you to engage in this multi-day process," Myers says. "A lot of people might end up going several hundred miles further to Virginia."

For people in Arizona, after the 1864 law takes effect, "their nearest destinations are pretty long drives. They're going to be facing hundreds of miles to reach southern California, New Mexico, Colorado," Myers says. "I think Arizona spillover is likely to affect California in a way that California hasn't yet been affected by bans."

Myers helms the Myers Abortion Facility Database . She has gathered data about facilities – including clinics, doctors, and hospitals that publicly indicated that they provide abortions – going back more than a decade, using data licensure databases, directories, and Wayback Machine captures of websites from years past. She uses a team of undergraduate research assistants to periodically call facilities and make sure the information is up to date.

Numbers of abortions rise in Florida, decline in Arizona

Although Florida and Arizona have historically both been politically purple states and both have had 15-week abortion bans since 2022, the states have been on different trajectories when it comes to abortion and play very different roles in their regions.

There were about 12,000 abortions in Arizona in 2023, according to the Guttmacher Institute , a research organization that supports abortion rights. Out-of-state travel accounted for 3% of abortions in the state, and the overall number of abortions has been declining there in recent years, Guttmacher finds.

By contrast, there were nearly 85,000 abortions in Florida in 2023, according to state data , just a few thousand fewer than Illinois, which has positioned itself as a haven for people seeking abortions in the post- Roe era. And the number of abortions happening in the state has been on the rise. "The majority of the increase has been driven by out-of-state travel into Florida because of bans in surrounding states," explains Isaac Maddow-Zimet , a Guttmacher data scientist. "That really speaks to the role that Florida has played in the region where there really aren't many other options."

The Alliance Defending Freedom, which brought the case in Arizona, frames those affected by the new laws in a different way. "We celebrate the Arizona Supreme Court's decision that allows the state's pro-life law to again protect the lives of countless, innocent unborn children," the organization wrote in a statement this week .

Even with new bans in place, there are a few ways residents of Florida and Arizona will be able to access abortion without driving hundreds of miles. People with means will be able to fly to states where abortion access is protected. Others will be able to use telehealth to connect with providers in those states and receive abortion medication in the mail – a practice that has been growing in popularity in recent months. Telehealth medication abortions, though, could be curtailed by a pending case before the U.S. Supreme Court. (A decision in that case is expected this summer.)

In Florida, some will be able to get abortions before the six-week gestational limit, which is about two weeks after a missed period. "Folks have a really narrow window in order to meet that gestational duration limit if they even know about their pregnancy in time," Maddow-Zimet of Guttmacher explains. "And that's something that's particularly difficult in Florida because Florida requires an in-person counseling visit 24 hours before the abortion."

'A substantial barrier'

Many thousands of people in Florida and Arizona will be unable to navigate those options and will carry their pregnancies instead, Myers says.

"It's easy to think – if an abortion is so important to somebody, they will find a way, they will figure it out," she says, but research on people seeking abortions illustrates why that's not always possible. "[Many] are low income. They're in very difficult life circumstances. They're experiencing disruptive life events like the loss of a job or breaking up with a partner or threatened eviction. Many of them are parenting and have difficulty obtaining child care." One large study showed about 80% of people seeking abortions had subprime credit scores.

"If you think about all that, it is perhaps not so surprising that the results of my research and other people's research shows very strongly and unequivocally that distance is a substantial barrier to people who are seeking abortions," Myers says.

Mary Ziegler , a law professor and historian of reproductive rights at the University of California - Davis, says it's worth noting how these states both came to have new bans. "The common denominator is conservative state supreme courts reaching decisions contrary to what voters would want, interestingly, in an election year when those judges are facing retention elections," she says.

Voters in Florida will have a chance to weigh in on abortion access in November, when an amendment to their state constitution will be on the ballot. An effort to put an abortion amendment on the ballot in Arizona is also underway. Abortions rights opponents in both states have pledged to fight the measures.

• abortion access
• Abortion rights

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Delta is changing how it boards passengers starting May 1

By Megan Cerullo

Edited By Aimee Picchi

Updated on: April 12, 2024 / 12:35 PM EDT / CBS News

Delta Air Lines is changing its boarding process beginning May 1 in an effort to speed up loading passengers onto planes. 

If you're flying on the airline, you'll have to know what zone number you're in to board in the correct sequence. The move is hardly innovative, experts say, and instead reflects a return to the traditional way of boarding passengers followed by most airlines. 

That's because Delta is introducing numbered boarding zones for all flights, meaning that customers will have a zone number assigned to them instead of boarding groups labelled by airline status or fare class, such as "Sky Priority." The airline stressed that boarding orders will not change, but the group names will.

When Delta introduced its branded fare boarding process in 2018, it called zone boarding "a thing of the past." But the airline is now reverting to the traditional way of boarding people, in what some experts call an unusual move for an innovative airline.

Customers who need more assistance will still pre-board as usual before passengers in Zone 1, which will comprise Delta One and First Class customers. Zone 2 will include Diamond Medallion Members and Delta Premium Select ticket holders. 

Delta Comfort+ customers will board in Zone 3, followed by Sky Priority in Zone 4, according to a  chart  on the airline's website. Zone numbers will go up to 8, when basic economy passengers will board. 

Delta said the change is small, but could make the process easier for infrequent fliers and non-English speakers who only have to listen for a number to know when it's their turn to board. The change will also make the process less stressful for gate agents, Delta added. 

Still, some travel experts questioned whether the change would meaningfully speed up the boarding process. 

"They're not changing who boards when or the sequence," Clarkson University professor John Milne, an expert on airline boarding, told CBS MoneyWatch. "All they are changing is the names of what passenger group boards next." 

In a statement to CBS MoneyWatch, Delta said the "simple change" will "provide customers more clarity into the boarding sequence and make the boarding process more intuitive—especially for infrequent travelers and/or customers who might face a language barrier at the gate."

Delta added, "Numbered zones will also align more closely with our joint venture and international partners, providing international customers a more simplified, consistent experience when traveling on mixed-metal itineraries. "  

CEO Ed Bastian addressed the change on the company's first quarter earnings call Wednesday. "When you have a number and you're standing in line, we are all trained to know when it's our turn," Bastian said.

Superficial changes?

The change is fairly superficial, Milne said, noting there are other changes Delta and its competitors could make to boarding processes that would make them more efficient. 

The airline still prioritizes passengers with airline status or who paid for a higher class fare on a particular flight. Instead, it would be more efficient to board passengers based on where on the aircraft they are seated, Milne said. 

For example, boarding window seat customers in the back half of the plane first would speed up the process. "That way you would minimize some of the congestion," he said. 

Delta instead assigns passengers to boarding groups based on their loyalty to the airline and ticket prices. 

Travel expert Scott Keyes also emphasized that the change does little to meaningfully improve or expedite the boarding process. All Delta is doing is reverting to the traditional way of boarding passengers and scrapping its branded boarding process that began in 2018, he noted.

"The fact that they've reverted to numbered zones, like those employed by virtually all other airlines, speaks volumes," Keyes said. "Traditionally, Delta has been seen as the innovative airline and others have followed suit. In this case, Delta's innovation didn't pan out, and they've been forced to once again mimic American and United's boarding processes."

To be sure, any move that would actually speed up passenger boarding could give an airline a leg up on competitors.

"Speeding up the boarding process by even 10 minutes can prevent delays, and if sustained, allow airlines to add an additional daily flight to the schedule," Keyes said.

The airline posted a $37 million first-quarter profit on Wednesday and said demand for air travel is strong heading into the busy summer travel season. Travelers are flocking to book trips despite a string of recent air safety incidents, including a panel blowing off a Boeing 737 Max aircraft during an Alaska Airlines flight.

• Delta Air Lines

Megan Cerullo is a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch covering small business, workplace, health care, consumer spending and personal finance topics. She regularly appears on CBS News Streaming to discuss her reporting.

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'Three games in 13 days': Melbourne look lethargic in loss to Brisbane on home turf

Melbourne coach Simon Goodwin says his Demons are tired after a 22-point loss at the hands of Brisbane at the MCG on Thursday night .

The Demons have had a rough schedule to open their 2024 season, including travel to Sydney for Opening Round and two consecutive weeks in Adelaide.

Their loss against the Lions is just their second from five outings thus far, but could prove costly considering it was a game dropped at their home ground.

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Goodwin expressed his disappointment in his troops, particularly after they were held to just two goals up to half time, goalless in the second quarter completely.

The Demons' three-quarter time score of 3.7 was their lowest at the MCG since round four of the 2020 season against Geelong.

"It probably didn't look like us in all phases of the game," Goodwin said post match.

The 2021 premiership coach put his side's sluggish start down to the intense travel period they have endured.

"Three games in 13 days is a lot, obviously with some travel involved as well," Goodwin said.

"But I wouldn't want to put that out there as an excuse for us and take anything away from the Lions.

"Every team goes through those little challenges within their season. The fixture you're provided with, you can't use those things as excuses.

"You rock up, your job is to perform. As a footy club we didn't do that."

Goodwin also admitted the Demons sorely missed livewire small forward Kysaiah Pickett, who was sidelined after his high bump on Adelaide's Jake Soligo cost him a week .

"We all see what he gives our footy team, his pressure, his tackle, his inside 50 ability to hit the scoreboard," he said.

Melbourne brought in highly-touted draftee Koltyn Tholstrup to replace Pickett on debut , but the 18-year-old managed just seven disposals in his first AFL outing.

"No doubt when you take a Kysaiah Pickett out of your team, you're going to have some challenges," Goodwin said.

The Dees now have a much needed bye in round six.

• melbourne demons
• brisbane lions
• Simon Goodwin

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Tips & Frequently asked questions

Brisbane is a green city with an enviable subtropical climate and diverse population. It is one of the fastest-growing cities in Australia and is known for its vibrant urban precincts, outdoor lifestyle and friendly locals. Get to know Brisbane better. From climate to currency – we have you covered.

Travel Basics 

Visitor information centres  .

Whether its tour and accommodation bookings, events and entertainment information, brochures and maps, or general tourist advice you need for the Brisbane and Greater Brisbane areas, the many Accredited Visitor Information Centres located across the Greater Brisbane Region have it all covered.

Brisbane Visitor Guide 

This guide provides visitors with a comprehensive overview of things to see and do across the city and surrounding regions. Produced bi-annually, it showcases the latest experiences and events on offer as well as providing information that helps support the visitor experience. 

Getting to Brisbane 

Home to an award-winning airport, a fully integrated public transport system makes getting to Brisbane easy.

Storage Lockers  

Lockers are available at the International and Domestic Airports as well as South Bank.

Free Wi-Fi 

Thanks to Brisbane City Council, free Wi-Fi is available in public places throughout the city. Find out more  here . 

Time Zone 

Brisbane follows Eastern Standard Time throughout the year. Unlike Australia’s southern states, Queensland does not have daylight saving during summer. Be careful to check the time if travelling to or from another state. 

Visas 

For all visa enquiries, please go to the Department of Home Affairs  page.  

Electrical Power Points 

The Australian electrical current is 220–240 volts, AC 50Hz. The three-pin power outlet is different from some other countries, so don’t forget to buy an adaptor. 

Transport  

Brisbane’s public transport system is a clean and green network of trains, ferries (CityCats) and buses that have been integrated so commuters can travel seamlessly between each service when using a go card. 

Weather 

Climate .

Blessed with the perfect subtropical climate and an average of eight hours of sun per day, Brisbane is the ideal destination for life in the great outdoors. 

• Summer (December to February) Min average temp is 21°C and max is 30°C 
• Autumn (March to May) Min average temp is 16°C and max is 26°C 
• Winter (June to August) Min average temp is 10°C and max is 21°C
• Spring (September to November) Min average temp is 16°C and max is 26°C 

Sun Protection 

Brisbane is home to blue skies and sunny days, so it’s important to keep sun safe. When in the sun, always wear a shirt, hat, sunglasses and SPF 30+ sunscreen. If spending the whole day outdoors, reapply sunscreen regularly. Stay out of the sun during the middle of the day when the sun is strongest. Make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration. 

Money & Shopping 

Currency .

The unit of currency in Australia is the Australian dollar (AUD$). All Brisbane areas are serviced by cash machines which accept Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro cards. The most commonly accepted credit cards are American Express, Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa, JCB and their affiliates. If you are bringing travellers’ cheques, these can be exchanged at banks, bureau de change booths, hotels and post offices. Banks and foreign exchange services are also available throughout the city centre. 

Goods & Services Tax 

A 10 per cent Goods and Services Tax (GST) applies to most purchases and is included prior to bills being totalled. You may be able to claim a refund of the GST paid on purchases if you have spent $300 or more in one store, no more than 60 days before departing Australia. Tourist Refund Scheme facilities are located in the departure area of international terminals. For further information, visit the Australian Border Force  website  or contact 1300 555 043 (+61 2 6245 5499 outside of Australia). 

Tipping & Bargaining 

Hotels and restaurants do not add service charges to your bill. In upmarket restaurants, it is usual to tip waiters up to 10 per cent of the bill for good service. However, tipping is always your choice. It is not custom to bargain in Australia. 

Shopping Hours 

Trading hours vary across Australia but shops in tourist and city areas are generally open seven days until 6pm, with late-night shopping on Thursdays in suburban areas and Fridays in the city centre. 

Services 

Postal services .

Post offices are usually open 9am–5pm, Monday to Friday, with some city post offices open on Saturday morning. Travellers can arrange to collect mail at post offices throughout Australia. 

Communication 

Australia’s Country Code is 61. Queensland’s area code is 07 but the zero is left off when calling from outside Australia. Mobile phone network coverage is available across Australia; however coverage may be limited in some remote areas. 

Disabled Services 

Many of Brisbane’s public facilities are disability-friendly. Brisbane City Council’s  Access and Inclusion program  provides information about accessible features at swimming pools, parks and libraries, and other useful guidance for visitors with a disability. 

If you have a disability, Brisbane’s city centre is increasingly easy to get around. Find out more  here . 

Emergency Services 

Brisbane is generally a safe destination, with tourists enjoying unhindered travel experiences in terms of their personal safety. In the event that you require emergency assistance, you can contact police, ambulance and/or fire brigade by calling Triple Zero (000). 

Major Hospitals 

Brisbane has a number of public hospitals and medical centres should you experience illness or injury while visiting. It is important that your travel insurance is up to date so you are covered should any emergencies arise. 

• Princess Alexandra Hospital 
• The Prince Charles Hospital 
• Mater Private Hospital 
• Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital 
• Greenslopes Private Hospital 
• Wesley Hospital 
• Mater Public, Children's Private and Mothers' Hospital 
• Queensland Children's Hospital 

Local Laws 

Smoking .

Smoking is banned in all enclosed public places. This includes restaurants, bars and clubs. The Queen Street Mall in the city is a totally smoke-free area. 

Drinking 

The legal drinking age in Australia is 18 years of age. If you look young, you may be asked to provide photo identification to prove you are aged over 18 years to enter a licensed premise or buy alcohol. The latest time licensed premises can serve alcohol is 3am, although closing times vary across venues. Many licensed premises are required to scan patrons' photographic IDs on entry after 10pm under State Government legislation. In Queensland it is an offence to drink alcohol or possess an opened alcoholic drink in a public place. 

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