A conference in one of Australia’s most exciting cities

 

Creative Writing Matters takes place in Brisbane, Queensland, a city built around the river, with a subtropical climate, a thriving arts and cultural scene, excellent restaurants and bars, and easy access to some of Australia’s best beaches.

 

Brisbane is a particularly good destination for an international conference: the city centre is compact and walkable, public transport is inexpensive and easy to use, and Brisbane Airport is only around 20 minutes from the CBD by Airtrain.

 

And if you are travelling from interstate or overseas, there is plenty of reason to stay a little longer.

 

Stay in the heart of Brisbane

 

There is a huge range of accommodation within easy reach of the conference precinct, from international five-star hotels to stylish boutique properties and more affordable options.

 

Luxury and city-centre hotels

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• Hyatt Regency Brisbane sits directly above Queen Street Mall, putting guests in the centre of Brisbane's shopping, dining and nightlife. The hotel has 292 rooms and suites, a heated infinity pool and restaurants and bars within the hotel itself.

• InterContinental Brisbane by IHG is another central option, located on Elizabeth Street in the CBD and within easy walking distance of Queen's Wharf, the river and South Bank.

• Brisbane Marriott Hotel offers river and Story Bridge views and is particularly well placed for exploring Fortitude Valley, Howard Smith Wharves and the Brisbane River.

• Other centrally located options include W Brisbane, The Westin Brisbane and Four Points by Sheraton Brisbane. Marriott's Brisbane portfolio puts all four properties within easy reach of the city's major attractions and dining precincts.

• For something more boutique, Emporium Hotel South Bank offers five-star accommodation beside the river, with a rooftop terrace, infinity pool, restaurants and spectacular city views.

• Holiday Inn Express Brisbane Central by IHG offers a more affordable option in Spring Hill, while The Great Southern Hotel Brisbane is another centrally located choice.

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The river is at the heart of Brisbane

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Brisbane is a river city. The Brisbane River winds through the centre of the city, connecting its major cultural, dining and entertainment precincts.

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One of the best ways to experience Brisbane is from the water. CityCat ferries run along the river, connecting the CBD with South Bank, West End, New Farm, Teneriffe and other riverside neighbourhoods. And at present, public transport throughout Queensland is just 50 cents per journey, including Brisbane buses, trains, ferries and trams. Airtrain is excluded from the 50-cent fare.

 

For conference delegates, that makes exploring the city remarkably easy — and remarkably inexpensive.

 

South Bank

 

Just across the river from the CBD, South Bank is Brisbane's cultural and lifestyle heart. It combines restaurants, bars, galleries (GOMA), museums (QAG), the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), the State Library, parklands and the famous Streets Beach — an inner-city swimming beach surrounded by subtropical gardens.

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South Bank is also home to some of Brisbane's best restaurants. You can choose from contemporary Australian, Italian, Spanish, Mexican, Japanese, Cantonese and seafood restaurants, many overlooking the river.

 

Among the options are Southside Restaurant, Poca Madre Restaurant, Olé Restaurant and Vici Italian Restaurant Southbank Brisbane.

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For a broader guide to dining, see Visit South Bank's restaurant guide.

 

South Bank is also extremely easy to reach: it has two train stations, a dedicated busway, CityCat ferry services and the free CityHopper ferry.

 

Queen's Wharf and The Star Casino Brisbane

 

On the CBD's riverfront, Queen's Wharf Brisbane has transformed a substantial section of the city into a new entertainment, dining and leisure precinct.

 

At its centre is The Star Brisbane, including the five-star The Star Grand, restaurants and bars, entertainment and the spectacular Sky Deck — a 250-metre rooftop destination approximately 100 metres above the Brisbane River.

 

The precinct is connected directly to South Bank by the Neville Bonner Bridge, making it possible to walk from one side of the river to the other in minutes.

 

Howard Smith Wharves

 

For an evening out, head beneath the Story Bridge to Howard Smith Wharves, one of Brisbane's most atmospheric waterfront precincts.

 

The historic wharf precinct now combines restaurants, bars, a brewery, a hotel and entertainment venues directly beside the Brisbane River. (Howard Smith Wharves)

Dining options include GRECA, Yoko Dining, Ciao, Stanley, Felons Brewing Co., Mr Percival's and Fiume Rooftop Bar.

 

You can arrive by foot along the river, by bicycle, bus or CityCat. The precinct has its own ferry terminal, with services running along the Brisbane River. (Howard Smith Wharves)

Explore Howard Smith Wharves

 

Dining across the city

 

Brisbane has developed a remarkably diverse food scene. From fine dining to laneway bars, riverside restaurants, Asian food, Italian, Greek, Mexican and modern Australian cuisine, there is no shortage of places to eat within walking distance or a short ferry ride of the CBD.

In the city centre, options include Exhibition Restaurant, French Exit, Golden Avenue, Longwang Restaurant, Toscano Bar & Kitchen and Corbett & Claude.

 

For something particularly Brisbane, take dinner beside the river, follow the lights to Howard Smith Wharves, or cross to South Bank for an evening of food, theatre (Queensland Performing Arts Centre - QPAC) and riverside views.