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| Written by MASCA Queensland | |
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For first time travellers, here are a few tips and tricks to make life a bit easier during your stay. CLOTHING: Brisbane winters are generally mild and sunny with average temperatures around 17c. We do experience chilly nights, however, where minimum average temperatures drop to 10c therefore it is strongly advised that you include a decent winter coat as an essential item in your luggage. Sunscreen and shades are also recommended for those who will be out for sporting action and loyal supporters who will be in the sun all day, cheering their teams on. ACCOMMODATION: Delegates of NCG 2008 will be staying at 2 University of Queensland on campus residences:King's College (www.kings.uq.edu.au) and Emmanuel College (www.emmanuel.uq.edu.au) where in an attempt to foster team spirit, participants from the same states will be assigned in rooms close to each other. Both colleges provide excellent facilities and are located within UQ St Lucia campus, in proximity with each other and event venues. Daily breakfast and welcoming barbeque night will be held at King's. TRANSPORTATION: This is intended as a general guideline only, based on my personal experience of getting around via public transport. To tailor your own journey planner, go to Queensland Transport (www.translink.com.au) and use their journey planner. From Coolangatta (Gold Coast) Airport to UQ: First off, for those not in the know, there is no such thing as the 'Gold Coast airport', mainly because there isn't a specific place called the Gold Coast. Your airplane will land at Coolangatta Airport. This is a useful thing to know, especially when you want to give instructions to the bus/cab driver on the journey back. Secondly, the easiest way to get to UQ is obviously by a cab. But if you're adamant on taking public transport, read on. Here's the general idea: 1: You'll be taking the bus(es) to Robina train station, a train to South Brisbane, and a ferry to UQ. 2: If you find yourself lost, a rule of thumb is the 765 bus will take you to Robina, and the Citycat service terminates at UQ. 3: Buy a daily ticket for Zones 1-18 ($13.60) from the first bus you get on. This will be the only ticket you need to take you to UQ. Right. So your plane has landed and you've collected your bags. Now make your way outside. If you're lucky, a 765 will be waiting but this is subject to the bus driver's wilingness as the airport is not really in the 765's route. If it's not there, you can opt to abandon this plan and take a cab, or find that 765 bus. Still intent on taking public transport? Right. Soldier on, then. Cross the big highway outside the airport, and wait for a 765 on Golden Four Dr (thats the street right next to the highway). Make sure you wait for it on the side nearest to the highway, not where the houses are. No worries, though as the buses are quite frequent and run all day. Oh look, there's the bus! Hop on, and it'll take you to Robina Train Station. Once here, get on the train headed for Brisbane city and get off at South Brisbane. A word of warning, though; these 2 legs of the journey takes quite a while. Now you find yourself at South Brisbane rail station. Cross that big road, turn right, walk through an open air carpark flanked by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Queensland Observatory and look out for a river and ferry terminal. In case you're wondering, this bit of Brisbane is called Southbank, and that cluster of tall buildings across the river is Brisbane CBD. Alright! You're merely minutes away from UQ. Board the ferry to UQ (the one going the other way is to Brett's Wharf. You don't want that, for now), go in, show your ticket to the conductor, relax on the deck and you'll arrive at UQ in 15-20 minutes! Brisbane airport- UQ: From the domestic terminal, make your way to the train station. Get on the train to Robina (route APRX) and stop at central station. From here, make your way out and you should be on Edward St. Turn left and make your way to Queen St (the part where Queen St Mall is. There will be heaps of people and shops on the sides, you can't miss it!) and traverse your way through the crowd until you see an old building on the left (that's the casino), balls (yes, balls.) in front of you, this is Brisbane Square and a colourful building on the right, most often described as the Lego building. Cross the road (George St) and turn right until the end of the Lego building. This is where the bus stop is. Here you have 2 options: 1: Take the 109 bus and stop at UQ Lakes (the last stop) and make your way to the colleges. This is the easiest way. 2: Take the 412 bus and stop at Chancellor's Drive (the last stop). You have to walk for quite a bit, but it'll take you through the uni before you arrive at the colleges. The total fare for this trip is $15.70, as the train you take is the airtrain, a special express airport service. Honestly, though, if you're traveling with 4-5 friends, you're better off taking cab; it's cheaper once you split the tab. However, if you're skint, try catching another non express train to Central and the fare will be less than $6. General Rule The great thing about Brisbane is the public transport is cheap, varied and quite reliable. There are buses, trains and ferries that can take you around and most conductors are helpful. The public transportation is arranged in concentric circles radiating from the CBD, hence Brisbane is in Zone 1, and St Lucia (where UQ is) is in Zone 2. Let's say you want a night out downtown. You'll be traveling in these 2 zones. You can purchase a daily ticket for Zones 1-2 at less than $6 which you can use for any public transport until the last service of the day you purchased it. This means you can hop on and off any ferry, bus and train in Brisbane for a million times using just one ticket. Sweet, yes? FOOD During NCG: Breakfast: Daily breakfasts will be provided and served at King's. Lunch: Packed lunch is prepared for all participants from days 2-4 and if you may request we prepare a packed lunch for you on day 1, should you require it. Dinner: Day 1: Welcoming BBQ, UQ Lakes Days 2 & 3: Packed food day4: Malaysian Night Dinner. Food served during NCG is halal. Eating out: There are a lot of favourite haunts in St Lucia and surrounding suburbs. Here are but a few: 1: Hawken Dr & Mitre St, St Lucia: Very near the colleges. Alfresco dining with an international crowd at student prices, and halal places are abundant. Coles, Australia Post, bottle shop and hairdressers' available for your convenience. 2: Toowong Village: Characterised by a blue glass tower, it's the nearest mall to UQ and boasts an indoor food court as well as restaurants. More eateries and bars outside. 3: West End: Just a short ferry ride away from UQ, West End provides a vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere. World cuisine at your disposal- Greek, Mexican, Asian, Middle Eastern, pizza...walk around and you're bound to find something you like. 4: Brisbane: Queen St Mall offers a variety of restaurants and outdoor bars to choose from. Head over to Elizabeth Arcade for your fix of Asian food, enjoy a slice of cake and cap with a nice book at Border's, or grab some fast food and watch the locals as you sit on one of the numeous benches on Queen St. GOING OUT & NIGHTLIFE: River cruise: When you visit a city whose river is ubiquitous, it really is a no-brainer that you take in the sights and go on a river cruise. All you have to do is hop on any Citycat ferry and hang out on the deck as it takes you from UQ to Brett's Wharf and back. Brisbane: The city is full of street artists, buskers, clubs, bars, cinemas, shopping and cafes. Wandering around the city and appreciating the public art and architecture is also a pleasure in itself. The Treasury Casino is a very popular destination for visitors and locals alike, and its prominence in the cityscape is why Brisbane is often nicknamed BrisVegas. Getting there: Catch the 109 bus from UQ Lakes or hop on a ferry from UQ to North Quay. Southbank: Friday nights at Southbank are teeming with life and things to do. You will be spoilt for choice: chic eateries and bars, high fashion, the Friday night markets, the cheapest cinema in Brisbane (less than $6 on the student concession!), and having a splash in the famous Streets Beach are just a few of the things you can do on a night out in Southbank. Catch a Citycat from UQ to Southbank, he 109 bus from UQ to the Cultural Centre tor walk across the bridge if you're from the city. New Farm: If you enjoy the arts, theatre and the like, hop on the Citycat and head over to the Powerhouse in New Farm, one of Brisbane's premier venues for the performance arts. Stand-up comedy, theatre and dance performances are just a few of the numerous events hosted by the Powerhouse...you're sure to find something you'd enjoy! Fortitude Valley: The Valley is home of the alternative, edgy and eclectic; and at night, this is where the most interesting characters in Brisbane come out. There are art shows, great concert venues, queer clubs and bars, burlesque and adult entertainment, Chinatown alongside themed bars and eateries. Hop on most buses on Adelaide St, it'll take you to the Valley. |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 19 January 2008 ) |
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