Brisbane in 3 facts

So, we’ve already told you that Brisbane is Australia’s third-largest city, home to over 2.5 million people, and named after a former governor of New South Wales. These facts probably won’t help you impress your friends... But don’t worry, we’re not done yet!

Before the British colonised Brisbane in the 19th century, it belonged to the Aboriginal Turrbal people and was known as “Meanjin.” In their native language, this word translates to “place shaped like a point”, which makes a lot of sense for a city built on a raised piece of land in a bend of the Brisbane River. If you feel like stopping by a bakery for a sweet treat along your way, why not try one of Brisbane’s local specialties: the Lamington. According to legend, it was the result of a culinary accident.

In 1901, the chef at Brisbane’s Government House accidentally dropped Governor Lamington’s favourite sponge cake into melted chocolate. To avoid getting his fingers messy, he then coated the cake in shredded coconut. What started as a clumsy mistake became a beloved local dessert, still popular to this day.

And speaking of success stories, did you know that the first man to fly across the Pacific Ocean was from Brisbane? It’s true! Sir Charles Kingsford Smith set off on an extraordinary journey between Oakland and Brisbane, completing the flight in exactly 83 hours and 38 minutes.

His groundbreaking feat cemented Australia’s place at the forefront of global aviation.