From the Bush to Brisbane; What I’ve Learnt as a City Girl

With looming buildings, crowded streets and fast-paced traffic, cities are chaotic places. Yet, they provide vast opportunities for travel, work and education. I should know, as I moved from rural Queensland to Brisbane to pursue journalism. While the repetitive sirens may drive you crazy, there's a charming ambience to this city. So, here's what I've learnt about navigating Brisbane since becoming a city girl.

Expect the Unexpected on Long Distance Trains

Whether you’re from Maryborough or Gladstone, you’ve likely used a long-distance train to visit Brisbane. These services provide a comfortable ride with friendly staff between the bush and the city. However, long delays, track maintenance and last-minute cancellations have occurred during many of my journeys.

I've even spent a restless night on the Spirit of the Outback between Brisbane and Bundaberg after storms knocked trees on the tracks, a 12-hour journey that never made it home. I've encountered fewer issues with train travel over the last year.

Mind you, don't expect to arrive at your destination on time. Using these trains is still a great way to access the city, but keep a plan B up your sleeve in case your trip is derailed.

There’s More to Brisbane’s CBD Than Queen Street Mall

Have you ever spent an entire weekend solely on Queen Street Mall? Before moving, visiting shops I didn't have back home, like Zara or Peter Alexandra, was a must while in the city. This often led me to shop for hours in the mall.

However, making time to explore the surrounding streets can allow you to discover the CBD's top gems. So, go off the beaten path to discover Brisbane Arcade's Rose Room or a candle lit concert in Saint Stephan's Cathedral. To get you started, I suggest walking along Edward Street towards the Botanical Gardens, Burnett Lane and Elizabeth Arcade.

You Can Succeed at Navigating City Buses

Riding city buses is a stressful task, and one I avoided years after moving to Brisbane. If you're not a local, knowing how to hail a bus or when to press the stop button is difficult.

However, using the public transport function on Apple Maps can help you succeed at navigating city buses. Like walking or driving, this function uses a live map to show you where to board, exit and when to ring the bell. You could use the Translink App instead, but I prefer this technique.

I still make mistakes on public transport, and really only have a 75% success rate on buses. Regardless, I've got a better chance at arriving at my destination on time by asking Siri for public transport directions.

Keep in mind; Brisbane buses often drive in the same lane as general traffic. So, be prepared for longer bus rides during peak hour on the roads.

A Word About Accommodation

Imagine this; wearing wet togs and wedged sandals, I checked into Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte with little ID one evening. I had been locked out of my unit after a swim in the complex pool, and my landlord was ignoring my calls. So, I was forced to book a last-minute stay with only my soggy towel and phone.

While my taxi drove me to the wrong hotel, the team at Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte ensured I was provided with a roof over my head. Whether it’s Oaks Brisbane Festival Suites or Oaks Brisbane on Felix, these hotels are located within walking distance to everything in the CBD. Even though they are pricey, you likely won't need to use those chaotic buses when staying in these hotels.

Big-brand Stores Aren’t the Only Places to Shop in Brisbane

Don’t get me wrong, I love shopping at the mall or Westfield Chermside, but sometimes I crave boutiques. While Brisbane hosts many big-brand stores, independent retailers like New Farm Editions and Hummingbird The Shop in Paddington are scattered throughout the city.

Fortitude Valley’s James Street is a haven for high-end styles, especially with stores like Dinosaur Designs or Scanlan & Theodor. For a mix of opshops, boutiques and great coffee, you should visit the West End with a City Glider Bus.

Bullimba's Oxford Street, accessible by the ferry towards Northshore, also houses many boutiques, including Indigo and Alamour the Label. No matter where you go, you can find swish outfits beyond the walls of big-brand stores. Mind you, don't expect this to be a budget-friendly venture, as you'll likely find a jacket or pantsuit you can't leave without.

Connecting With Nature in Brisbane is Possible

Kangaroos don't roam Brisbane as they do at Woodgate, but you can still connect with native wildlife in the city. This often involves an expensive trip to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Australia Zoo or Moreton Bay. I'll never forget hanging out with owls at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary or feeding dolphins at Tangalooma Island Resort.

With that said, you can surround yourself in nature for free in the Mount Coot-tha Botanical Gardens or the Roma Street Parklands. If you're a nature nerd like me, you can even join a free walking tour through the gardens.

While it's still on my bucket list, you can also visit Daisy Hill Koala Centre for free. Of course, there are many bush walks and conservation centres surrounding the city that I'm yet to discover.

At the end of the day, my most memorable connections with the environment come from wild encounters in regional or rural destinations. So, it's worth noting you'll still need to venture outside the city skyline to truly appreciate Queensland's flora and fauna.

Some Venues Aren’t Worth the Effort

Picture this: You’ve spent hundreds of dollars on tickets, but the chaotic bus ride to the venue has ruined the concert experience. Regardless of who is on stage, you won't enjoy the show if it's too difficult to access the event or your seats.

The nightmare occurs when trying to return home. Uber rides are cancelled, taxi lines are kilometres long, and concert buses depart within moments of the last song.

For this reason, I avoid Suncorp Stadium and look for events at QPAC or River Stage. You will still experience long lines and large crowds. Yet, I enjoy performances at these locations as they are accessible via ferry and have a better layout for finding your seat.

Among the excitement of booking tickets, it's worth researching the venue first. Or, if it's a performance you can't miss, book accommodation close to the venue. This is a lesson you can only learn the hard way, but eventually you'll realise that some venues are not worth the effort.

Look Around the Corner for Devine Local Food

There’s always that one restaurant you must visit before leaving a city. From Falan’s Brewery to Eat Street, Brisbane’s dining scene won’t disappoint you. I wouldn’t say no to a plate of squid from Jimmy’s on the Mall, but you should look around the corner to discover smaller vendors.

For instance, you could walk towards Uptown to Hokkaido Baked Cheese Tarts instead of Krispy Kreme. On the other hand, walk past the New Farm Deli to discover the Village Bakery, perfect for a toastie or lemon slice. You could even swap a Bird n Brie Burger from Grill’d for something a little unique at the Milton or Jan Power Markets.

South Bank is a great place to start, especially as you walk past Mado’s or buy a doughnut from Nodo. So, once you’ve finished your pizza at Mulga Bills, find a local pub or hole-in-the-wall cafe that showcases the true flavour of Brisbane.

Crowded Streets Lead to Chaotic Foot Traffic

Walking is often the best way to uncover hidden gems. However, expect to find parked e-scooters blocking pedestrian areas and people walking on the wrong side of the path. This is especially true near riverside dining or entertaining precincts, as shared pathways become lanes to separate cyclists from foot traffic.

Path closures and detours are also frequent as construction zones take over the city in preparation for the Olympic Games. Like driving, peak hour exists for foot traffic in the city. So, these obstacles cause chaos on Brisbane’s streets.

As someone who moved from rural Queensland to a tiny Edward Street studio, I know this can become overwhelming. If the city becomes too busy, escape to a nearby cafe or a Today at Apple session for a while. Eventually, you will adjust to the crowds, but for now, navigating this concrete jungle could be frustrating.

Moving to Brisbane has enhanced my connections with industry leaders and introduced me to unimaginable opportunities. Yet, becoming a city girl has been challenging. The countryside will never leave me, but these lessons continue to drive me towards success in Brisbane. Hopefully, they will do the same for you when visiting the big city from the bush.