Brisbane’s recorded history dates back to 1799, when Matthew Flinders explored the Moreton Bay. The region was first occupied by the Jagera and Turrbal tribes. The town of Brisbane was initially conceived as a penal colony for the British convicts that were sent from Sydney. However, since the city was great for fishing, timbering, farming and other occupations, it was open for free settlement in the year 1838. Brisbane flourished after the Second World War when the hospitals, universities and museums came up. The town grew in the late 1880s and became a centre for commerce and the capital of Queensland. After hosting the 1982 Commonwealth Games, the city received an enormous boost for infrastructure and sporting development. In the years that followed, multiple landmark buildings were erected like the Riverside Centre, Waterfront Place, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, etc. While Sydney and Melbourne were the more recognized cities, Brisbane now has a thriving cultural scene is rapidly becoming one of the world’s best tourist destinations.

Due to the large number of students and residents from various countries, the city of Brisbane has diverse and vibrant cultural scene. Theatre, sport and music are especially popular among the locals. Some of the cultural institutions include Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Brisbane Powerhouse, Brisbane Arts Theatre, etc. Brisbane had hosted the 1982 Commonwealth Games, 1992 Cricket World Cup, 2003 Rugby World Cup and more. The main culture events that take place here are Ekka (Royal Queensland Exhibition), Brisbane International Film Festival, The Paniyiri festival, Caxton Street Seafood and Wine Festival, etc. The Brisbane Festival is the international arts festival that is celebrated every September with music, dance, theatre, comedy, circus and other events.

The metropolitan area of Brisbane has a population of around 2.3 million. 29.7% of the population was born overseas. Of these, the majority of people came from New Zealand, United Kingdom, Mainland China and India. There are a number of universities in and around the city hence the city’s student population is quite high. The major industries in the area are information technology, higher education, financial services, petroleum refining, paper milling, etc. The people of Brisbane call themselves ‘Brisbanians’. They are friendly and fun-loving.