What is the capital of Queensland?
Brisbane is the capital of Queensland. The city sits on the winding Brisbane River in the state's southeast and is Australia's third-largest city, with more than 2.5 million people.
Brisbane began as a penal settlement for repeat offenders in the 1820s, first at Redcliffe and then on the river. Free settlement was allowed from 1842, and when Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859, Brisbane became the new colony's capital.
The city has a subtropical climate with warm, humid summers and mild winters. Its riverside South Bank parklands, the Story Bridge and the nearby Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast make the region popular with visitors.
Olympic host
Brisbane will host the 2032 Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games. It will be the third Australian city to host the Summer Olympics, after Melbourne in 1956 and Sydney in 2000.
Brisbane is also known for its outdoor lifestyle. Residents enjoy riverside walks, CityCats ferries on the river and easy day trips to Moreton Bay islands such as North Stradbroke Island.
Did You Know?
The Brisbane River snakes through the city for about 34 kilometres before reaching Moreton Bay.