Brisbane is Australia’s largest city in the subtropics, enjoying an enviable climate of hot, bright summers and warm mild winters that makes anytime of year a good time to visit. Brisbane lies approximately the same distance from the equator as Miami, Florida, Johannesburg or New Delhi.
Aboriginal
tribes have lived in the region for millennia, following seasonal pathways
and gathering for annual festivals such as the fruiting of the bunya nuts.
Since the European settlement of the region in 1823, Brisbane has developed
into a modern capital of around 1.4 million people. The city lies along the
banks of the serpentine Brisbane River. The sparkling towers, abundance of
parks and trees and colourful river promenades give the city a fresh, inviting
appearance.
Brisbane offers excellent facilities, luxurious hotels, modern infrastructure plus the attractions of fine food, good shopping and a rich choice of arts and entertainment.
Brisbane is ideally located in the northern half of Australia with excellent international connections to Asia and the Pacific Rim, Europe and the USA. Brisbane is the gateway to Queensland’s range of tourist options. Endless beaches, indulgent resorts, rainforest hideaways, islands, the Great Barrier Reef, prized world heritage areas and the Outback are all on our doorstep, making it uniquely located for pre and post congress touring.
Australia's biggest attraction is its natural beauty. The landscape varies from expansive sunbaked horizons to dense tropical rainforest to endless southern beaches. Scattered along the coasts, its cities blend a European enthusiasm for art and food with a laid-back love of sport and the outdoors.
It is a land of contrasts where there is opportunity to experience opera one day and Crocodile Dundee the next. Visitors however may need to rethink their grasp of geography when travelling in this huge country. It is this sheer vastness that gives Australia — and its diverse population — much of its character.
Australia's stable social and political environment ensures it is a safe and cost effective destination. Delegates will experience a friendly and welcoming environment wherever they travel in Australia.
For further information on Brisbane, Queensland and Australia visit:
www.brisbanemarketing.com.au
www.ourbrisbane.com
www.destinationqueensland.com
www.australia.com
The
state-of-the-art Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre (BCEC) is one
of the finest purpose-built, fully integrated meeting facilities in the Southern
Hemisphere, with the largest tiered plenary capacity of any convention facility
in Australia.
With advanced technological capabilities and functional flexibility, the Centre provides the ideal venue for the XXII IUFRO World Congress.
The
Centre is a five minute walk from the city’s cultural hub which includes
South Bank Parklands, Queensland Art Gallery, State Library, Queensland Museum,
Queensland Maritime Museum, Queensland Conservatorium of Music and Queensland
Performing Arts Complex.
Area: 7.68 million sq km. Australia is the sixth largest country in the world. It's about the same size as the 48 mainland states of the USA and 50 per cent larger than Europe, but has the lowest population density in the world — only two people per square kilometre.
States
and Territories: Australia is made up of six states and two territories.
Each state and territory has its own parliament, flag and floral emblem.
Capital: Canberra
Largest Cities: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane
Population: 20 million
Language: English
People: 92% Caucasian, 7% Asian, 1% Aboriginal
Religion: The majority (71%) of the Australian population follow Christian beliefs.
System of Government: Federal Democracy
Head of Government: Prime Minister John Howard
Currency: Australian Dollar
Major Industries: Minerals, oil, coal, gold, agriculture, forestry, wool, cereals, meat, tourism
Time: Brisbane is +10hrs GMT.
Forest cover: 165 million hectares of native forest with more than 20 per cent canopy cover of trees > 2 m in height. Major genera include Eucalyptus, Acacia, Casuarina and Callitris. A wide diversity of forest types from tropical rainforest and savannas to tall, wet temperate eucalypt forests containing the world's tallest flowering plants. 1.5 million hectares of forest plantations, mainly pines and eucalypts.
Forest industry: Total annual timber removals of about 23 million cubic metres (60 per cent from plantations) with a gross value of production of A$1.3 billion. Nearly 80,000 people are directly employed in the forest products industry with many more in conservation, forest tourism and general forest management.
Climate: Australia's seasons are the reverse of those in the northern hemisphere. Australia's climate is typically mild in comparison with the extremes that exist in both Europe and North America. The seasons:
Spring: September–November
Summer: December–February
Autumn (Fall): March–May
Winter: June–August.
Australia also features a diverse range of climatic zones from the tropical regions of the north, the arid expanses of the interior and the temperate regions of the south.
History: For millennia, Australia's Aboriginal people lived and thrived in Australia's unique and challenging natural environment. Australia's rich vegetation and native wildlife helped them establish their presence on the land. Today it is believed the Aboriginals are the world's oldest civilisation.
It
wasn't until Captain James Cook arrived in Botany Bay in 1770 that the great
southern land was officially discovered by Europeans.
Overcrowded prisons in England and disruption caused by the American Revolution were two key reasons for the first shipment of convicts to Australia in 1788.
Driving: Australians drive on the left hand side of the road.
Food and Beverage: Being a multicultural nation, Australian cuisine is very broad, and choices range from the traditional meat pie to Asian influences to American fast food. Tap water is safe to drink.
Tipping: Tipping is not customary and is at the discretion of the visitorLegal notices Copyright | Disclaimer notice | Third party sites | Privacy notice