The Brisbane CBD area is the main commercial area in Brisbane and is well serviced by banks, restaurants, shops, post offices and public transport.
All the major banks have a branch in the city centre; ANZ, HSBC, Westpac, The Commonwealth Bank, St. George, and National Australia Bank (NAB).
Opening hours are 9:30am to 4:30pm Monday to Thursday, and 9:30am to 5:00pm on Fridays. Automatic Teller Machines (ATM’s) are available 24 hours at most banks, but you should avoid using them late at night, for security reasons.
When you go to a bank to open an account, you will need to take your Passport with you, as well as two (2) other forms of identification and tell the bank officer that you are a student.
Opening hours are from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm Monday to Friday, and they offer a range of services including payment of bills, stationery items, cards and wrapping, faxing, calendars and diaries and small gifts, as well as the usual range of postal services. Some major post offices are open on Saturday mornings.
Queen Street Mall sets the royal standard for shopping centres. Located in the central business district among the city’s skyscrapers, the mall majestically houses 6 shopping centres and heritage-listed arcades across multiple levels including QueensPlaza, the place to go for designer goods, Wintergarden, the first mall on the block, and MacArthur Central, always busy with grocery shoppers.
Location: Queen St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia
Open: 24/7 Phone: +61 (0)7 3403 8888
Once in the heart of the building, you will find a prestige mall with flagship retailers housed over multiple levels. A 700-seater food court with a wide range of options offers the chance for refreshments while you spend your cash. Parking at the Wintergarden’s 24-hour car park is best booked in advance to secure the best deals.
Location: 171–209 Queen St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia
Open: Monday–Thursday from 9 am to 5.30 pm, Friday from 9 am to 9 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Phone: +61 (0)7 3229 9755
Built in the 1920s and retaining stunning original features like the clerestory windows (that’s architecture-speak for windows at the top of a wall), Brisbane Arcade is a treasure trove for the shopper who loves a luxury vintage vibe. Historically known as a go-to spot for the more sparkly side of shopping, the arcade houses many high-end jewellery and fashion designers, as well as tailors and bridal couture.
Location: 160 Queen St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia
Open: Monday–Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Phone: +61 (0)7 3231 9777
One of the stalwart shopping centres that makes up the Queens Street Mall complex in Brisbane’s central business district, the MacArthur Central Shopping Centre offers a diverse shopping experience. In addition to the Woolworths and Big W supermarkets, there are several technology stores, including Apple. If you need a pharmacy, dry cleaners, cell phone repair shop or keys cutting, you’ll find all these services and more available at the centre.
Location: 255 Queen St, Brisbane City, QLD 4000, Australia
Open: Monday–Saturday from 7 am to 9 pm, Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm. Phone: +61 (0)7 3556 1200
You don’t need to drop the better part of your pay check on dinner to have a great night out. The City is filled with cheap and cheerful venues that are perfect for a casually cool date night and budget-friendly bistros that are ideal for impressing that special someone without breaking the bank. Eating out on a budget has never tastes so good with these tried and tested restaurants, bars and bistros in The City.