Whether you call Brisbane home, are visiting for a short period of time, or just have a thirst for knowing details about amazing places, here is a list of facts about the river city we know as Brisbane.

In case you didn’t know, Brisbane is the capital city of Queensland, Australia and home to us, Brisbane Kids!!

For more interesting, weird and funny facts about Brisbane, read on. Who knows, this knowledge may win you a quiz or at least provide a conversation starter next time you’re not sure what to say.

Facts About Brisbane

Serious Brisbane Facts

Brisbane was named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, who was the Governor of New South Wales between 1821 – 1825.
In 1859 Brisbane became the capital of Queensland
William Jolly became the first Lord Mayor of Brisbane in 1925.
According to Brisbane City Council, the population of Brisbane (as of June 2024), is 1.36 million.
Brisbane is the third largest city in Australia (Sydney is the first and Melbourne the second).
The Brisbane River is approximately 344km long
- The river starts near Mount Stanley, in the Somerset Region, before emptying into Moreton Bay.
- The nickname of the Brisbane River is the ‘brown snake’ because of its murky appearance and the fact it winds through Brisbane.
- Bull sharks are known to live in the Brisbane River like a snake
Most of the streets in Brisbane CBD are named after British royalty
- Those running diagonally from northeast to southwest are named after female royals (eg. Elizabeth, Adelaide, Charlotte)
- Those running in a perpendicular direction are named after male royals including George, Albert, and Edward.

There are 17 major bridges crossing the Brisbane River including rail, pedestrian and car bridges
The Story Bridge Climb is one of only three bridges in Australia you can scale as an organised climb.
The world’s first wheelchair accessible bridge climb is now available on the Story Bridge – how cool is that!?

Brisbane Pop Culture Facts

Bluey CityCat

The children’s animated TV show Bluey was created in Brisbane and produced by Brisbane-based company Ludo Studios.
- Brisbane inspires the setting in Bluey, with many Queenslander houses and Brisbane landmarks featuring throughout the show
- Some popular Brisbane destinations featured in Bluey episodes include New Farm Park, South Bank, Mt Coot-Tha Lookout, Milton Train Park, Brisbane Airport and Wynnum Whale Park.
- There are two CityCat ferries in Brisbane which are known as CityDogs – Bluey and Bingo. Have you seen them or been on one?
- You can visit Bluey’s World at Northshore Hamilton (currently open until February 2026)
Many bands have formed in Brisbane including Powderfinger, Sheppard, The Veronicas, Violent Soho, Savage Garden, Regurgitator, and The Saints.
Parts of Thor: Ragnarok were filmed in Brisbane CBD (they were pretending it was Manhattan, New York)
Quite a few famous people have been born in Brisbane including Ash Barty (sports personality), Jacob Elordi (Actor), Trent Dalton (author), Lincoln Lewis (Actor), Levi Miller (actor), Kyle Sandilands (radio/TV personality), and Thelma Plum (musician).

Brisbane Fun Facts

Brisbane has many nicknames including Brissie/Brissy and Bris-Vegas. It’s also referred to as the River City.
Brisbane is known to be one of the sunniest capitals in Australia, with nearly 300 days of sunshine a year (maybe more). No wonder it’s called the Sunshine State!
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (which we adore) is the oldest and largest koala sanctuary in the world.
The iconic BRISBANE sign in South Bank was first introduced in 2014 as part of the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
Brisbane City Hall is the largest city hall in Australia (if you haven’t done the free Clock Tower Tour – what are you waiting for?)
The world’s oldest known cultivated macadamia tree was planted in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens in 1858 and is still alive and producing nuts today.
A zoo once existed in the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens until it closed in 1958.
- One of the zoo’s first residents in 1842 were three Galapagos Island Tortoises, of which Harry was one. It turned out Harry was a female, and was renamed Harriet. Harriet was later moved to Australia Zoo, where she lived until she sadly died in 2006 at the ripe old age of 176!
Brisbane has a man-made beach on the banks of the Brisbane River in South Bank, called Street’s Beach.
The Sky Deck at Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, has a glass-floored viewing deck which is on the 23rd floor and opened to the public in August 2024.
The gorgeous weather in Brisbane means being outdoors is a possibility year-round with plenty of playgrounds to fill the hours (lucky for you we have reviewed most of them!)

Brisbane Event Facts

Brisbane hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1982
The World Expo was held in Brisbane in 1988.
- The Nepalese Peace Pagoda is the only global exhibit remaining from the ’88 Expo
- The stacked ‘Australia’ sign was part of Expo ’88 and now stands outside Caboolture Historical Village (though it is no longer ‘stacked’)
Brisbane (and surrounds) will be hosting the 2032 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
The annual Queensland Agricultural Show, known as The Ekka, is held each August at the Brisbane Showgrounds
The Brisbane Festival, one of Brisbane’s biggest cultural events in Brisbane, is held each September and features the hugely popular Riverfire, a sparkling fireworks display. Have you been yet?
Each August, since 1997, the Bridge to Brisbane has been held, with runners (and walkers) taking part in a 5km or 10km course to raise money for charity.