Brisbane, Australia 🇦🇺
#85
,
Nomad Score:
72%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Brisbane is the capital of Queensland, known for its vibrant culture, beautiful river, and subtropical climate. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 2.5 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 50 Mbps |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is AUD. Approx. 1 AUD ≈ 0.65 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type I sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Telstra, Optus, and Vodafone. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Commonly accepted payment methods include ANZ, Commonwealth Bank, and international banks like HSBC. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb, Stayz, and serviced apartments are popular options. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local listings. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options include Brisbane City YHA and Bunk Brisbane. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | South Bank, known for its parks, restaurants, and cultural venues. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Fortitude Valley, packed with coworking spaces, cafes, and nightlife. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Spaces Brisbane and River City Labs. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Jungle Restaurant and Cafe, known for its quiet atmosphere and good Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup groups for digital nomads and tech enthusiasts often held at The Foundry. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Brisbane Expats Facebook group for community events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber is widely used and convenient. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | CityCycle and Lime scooters available throughout the city. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | South Bank Parklands has a man-made beach; for real beaches, the Gold Coast is about 1 hour away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Virgin Australia provides numerous regional connections. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Qantas and international flights available through Brisbane Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Pacific Motorway (M1) connects Brisbane with the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Brisbane Central Station serves as the primary transport hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Go Card available for public transport use. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | TransLink offers train and bus services to nearby cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | The Yoga Room and Flow Athletic. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Anytime Fitness and F45 Training. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Local laundromats can be found in every suburb, e.g., Leo's Laundromat. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Uber Eats and Deliveroo. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Moreton Bay bugs and a traditional Australian pie. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Vegan and vegetarian restaurants include The Green Edge and Botanic Cafe. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Gelatissimo and Cowch Dessert Cocktail Bar. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Queens Plaza for gourmet and budget options alike. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Catch.com.au and Kogan for online shopping. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Woolworths and Coles offer online grocery delivery. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Fortitude Valley and West End are thriving nightlife areas. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brisbane Brewed and Fortitude Brewing Company. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | The Wine Emporium and Barossa. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Eat Street Northshore for various food trucks and stalls. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Kiss the Berry (Acai bowls) and C'est Bon (French cuisine). |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Queensland Art Gallery and the Story Bridge. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museum of Brisbane and Queensland Museum. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Old Government House and Brisbane Customs House. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | St. John's Cathedral is a notable Anglican church. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Brisbane Festival in September and Riverfire event. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Fortitude Valley for live music and arts. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | QLD Performing Arts Centre. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Jan Powers Farmers Markets for local produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | The Triffid and The Fortitude Music Hall. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Look for murals in Fortitude Valley and West End. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Say Cheese Cooking Classes. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Zodiac Art Gallery. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Brisbane Town Hall, an excellent example of Victorian architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The Bunyip is a creature from Aboriginal folklore symbolizing the cultural history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Moreton Island. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | D'Aguilar National Park and Lamington National Park for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Brisbane Riverwalk and popular bike paths through South Bank. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mt Coot-tha Lookout for panoramic views of the city. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Wetlands at Oxley Creek Common. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Bunyaville Conservation Park has designated areas for barbecues and bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Australia Post and StarTrack offer various delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Apple Store in Queen Street Mall and local repair shops. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers and gyms often have tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | QLD Multicultural Centre offers language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Brisbane City Library has study areas and free Wi-Fi. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Communities in Brisbane often hold events at places like the Brisbane City Hall. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On Brisbane for gaming experiences. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Treasury Casino offers a variety of gambling options. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 5,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = AUD 275,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,500 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = AUD 175,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 4,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 270,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = AUD 180,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. AUD 4,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 336,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. AUD 2,700 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = AUD 216,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 30% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% withholding tax rate on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Taxation is based on residency with global income taxable. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 47% is the maximum personal income tax rate. |
| 🧾 VAT | 10% Goods and Services Tax (GST). |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules apply. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, based on the value of the property. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Stamp duty applies, usually around 5-6%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Tax residency rules can be beneficial for temporary stays. |