Brisbane City
Brisbane is the capital city of Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’ (Queensland) and was officially founded in 1859. Named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, the city is Australia’s third-largest and fastest growing, boasting a multicultural population, and a vibrant but relaxed metropolitan lifestyle.
Just an hour north of Brisbane are the sunny beaches of the sub-tropical Sunshine Coast, perfect for lazy beach activities and family fun, while the Gold Coast and its glitzy and energetic attractions such as Surfer’s Paradise and thrilling theme parks are just an hours drive in the opposite direction.
Brisbane also has a thriving cultural scene. In Southbank, visitors and locals-alike can immerse themselves in music and the arts with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) showcasing globally-renowned and domestic productions, and the newly-opened Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) exhibiting various displays of international and Australian artwork. Southbank is also the perfect place to laze around in with a man-made beach overlooking the city, sprawling green parklands, fine-dining in Grey Street, and an IMAX movie theatre for those wanting to check-out the latest films.
For those with a passion for food, take a stroll to Brisbane’s West End for a multicultural experience, to New Farm for alfresco dining, or to Eagle Street Pier for a sample of Brisbane’s award-winning restaurants. Nightlife critters can also find a vibrant mix of nightclubs and bars catering for all tastes in music and styles at Fortitude Valley, and the CBD.
As its capital, Brisbane is also Queensland’s academic heartland. Home to the three universities integral to the organisation of this conference – the University of Queensland, Griffith University, and the Queensland University of Technology – Brisbane is easily an intellectual melting pot of aspiring thinkers and would-be professionals, making it an ideal location for Queensland’s premier Model UN.