Everything you need to know for a business trip to Brisbane

Once promoted by its own state government as a “sleepy little town”, Brisbane has grown to become far more than the quiet state capital that was once overshadowed by Sydney and Melbourne. Now, Australia’s third-largest city is not only a thriving business centre but also a melting pot of world-class art, culture, dining and entertainment adored by locals and tourists alike. Its 2.4-million strong population, easily navigable CBD, subtropical climate and proximity to Asia have made it an increasingly attractive prospect for global business operations and contribute to its newfound reputation as a genuine international hub. Given it’s also clean, safe and continually evolving, there’s nowhere better to be on a business trip than Brisbane.

Getting around Brisbane

If you’re arriving via the airport, the first thing you’ll need to do is get into town. A taxi or Uber from the airport to the CBD will cost in the region of $40-50 and will take anywhere from 20 to 40 minutes depending on the time of day (peak hour is on weekdays from 7 to 9am and from 4 to 7pm). If public transport is more your style, hop on one of the cityboundAirtrainsdeparting the airport every 15 minutes (every 30 minutes off peak) for a journey that typically takes 20 to 25 minutes. A standard single ticket costs $19.50 while a return will set you back $37, with discounts available for couples, families, groups, advance purchases and events.

Once you’re settled in the city, you’ll have plenty of options for travelling to events, meetings and attractions throughout Brisbane. Get around the inner city for free using the City Loop and Spring Hill Loop inner city bus services along with the CityHopper ferry between North Quay and New Farm. Otherwise, save yourself time and money with a TransLink go card that can be used across the city’s bus, rail and ferry networks with ease. You can buy a go card online or at numerous train stations and retailers throughout Brisbane.

Meeting the locals

If you’re coming from overseas for your business trip to Brisbane, you may be wondering what to expect from the people you meet. Brisbanites, and Australians in general, are renowned for their friendliness and laid back outlook – but that doesn’t mean a certain level of professionalism isn’t expected in business contexts (be sure to arrive to any meetings on time, for example). Prepare for sports banter; the locals are mad about it and will readily chat about the weekend’s results. Just remember that any discussion about the football, or “footy”, refers to either one of Australian rules football, rugby league or rugby union – if you want to talk about Messi, Liverpool or anything to do with the round ball game, you’ll have to call it soccer. Cricket, motorsport and netball are also popular during certain periods of the year.

Finding a coworking space

When you’re not working out of a specific location or taking advantage of Capri by Fraser’s business amenities, a coworking space can be the perfect place to stay productive and expand your network in a comfortable, work-friendly environment. Coworking spaces like Studio 42, Little Tokyo Two and Rivercity Labs have their own distinct style and selling points from warm, eco-friendly designs to more formal corporate settings.

What to do in your downtime

Since you (hopefully) won’t be spending every waking hour going to meetings or working in your suite, it’s good to know what there is to do during your downtime. Thankfully, Brisbane is a vibrant city brimming with art, culture, dining, entertainment, nightlife, sport and more, all offering excellent opportunities to both wind down after a long day of work and explore your new surroundings. Be sure to stop by South Bank, Mt Coot-tha, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, the farmers markets, the Cultural Centre and one of the many world-class eateries dotted around the CBD and inner city. And don’t forget to soak up the atmosphere of some live sport at the Gabba or Suncorp Stadium; check out our top 10 things to see and do in Brisbane for a more detailed run-down of the city’s main attractions.

Keeping fit

Travelling can always be a fun excuse to indulge in guilty pleasures, but there’s nothing pleasant about getting home and discovering you’ve put on some extra weight or lost the progress you worked so hard to achieve in the gym back home. Luckily, any stay at a CBD serviced apartment at Capri by Fraser in Brisbane comes with 24/7 access to our modern, fully equipped fitness centre and dedicated yoga space. We also have an indoor heated swimming pool, sauna and steam room, and personal trainers* are on hand to help you grind out the best possible results from every session. If you fancy getting outdoors, go for a run to the City Botanic Gardens or through Kangaroo Point Cliffs Park along the Brisbane River; if you’re a serious runner, try tackling the 50km network of beautiful trails out at Mt Coot-tha.

Conference and event facilities at Capri by Fraser Brisbane

Business travellers feel right at home at Capri by Fraser with a range of excellent corporate amenities for anything from informal meetings and conference calls to important presentations and end-of-year functions. Across three modern, well-designed event spaces equipped with audio visual equipment, we have everything you need to make any business trip a successful one. Fast and free Wi-Fi is available throughout the premises and a diverse catering menu features a variety of options using locally sourced ingredients, so you’ll have no shortage of resources for a memorable conference or event.

The Pod: A striking space featuring a reflective gold ceiling and ample natural light. Capacity for up to 120 guests.

Pow Wow 1: Mid-sized space perfect for corporate or social events, featuring a 70-inch LCD TV. Capacity for up to 60 guests.

Pow Wow 2: Ideal for smaller groups, this glass-walled space has a wall mounted LCD TV for productive meetings and conference calls.

To book one of our corporate event spaces or make a general enquiry, get in touch with our dedicated Conference and Events team on +61 7 3013 0088 or at sales.brisbane@capribyfraser.com.

*Charges apply.