BRISBANE Affectionately known as “Brissy,” Brisbane is Australia’s third largest city. Unlike Australia’s other metropolises—Sydney and Melbourne—Brisbane boasts a goregoues tropical climate amidst its skyscrapers and city lights. One of the favourite “getaways” within the city that best displays this climate is the Southbank Parklands (known to the locals simply as Southbank).Within these luscious gardens running alongside the banks of the Brisbane river are rainforest walks, markets, cafes, cinemas, a manmade beach and even a giant ferris wheel! Although the ocean is an hour away, you can enjoy Southbank’s Lagoon—a large beach area where you can go to swim in fresh water pools and enjoy the sun on the white sand beach. Looking for a taste of culture and the arts? Southbank is the spot! It is home to Queensland’s Art Gallery, Museum and Library (all have free admission!), Performing Arts Centre, Theatre Company and Brisbane’s Convention and Exhibition Centre, which hosts big name concerts—from Keith Urban to Kings of Leon and everything in between. You’ll never be at a loss for things to do when you live just a 20 minute train ride from the beautiful and fun “Bris-Vegas.” MITCHELTON Our beloved suburb of Mitchelton—Mitchie for short—is located just north of Brisbane city. Most anything you would need to buy can be found right here in town. The local mall—Brookside is just a ten minute walk (or less!) from our YWAM centre. In Brookside, you can find clothing stores, grocery stores, department stores, pharmacies (chemists), cafes and restaurants—not to mention banks, a currency exchange and a post office. If you’re in a hurry, just go down to Blackwood St—a five minute walk from the centre. Blackwood St is Mitchelton’s main street and boasts most of the conveniences of Brookside (banks, a pharmacy, a grocery store, etc), but also a number of coffee shops and ethnic food restaurants. Take your pick from Thai, Vietnamese, Italian, Swiss, Mexican, Chinese or good ‘ole Aussie food—you can find them all on this street—just minutes from your new home! THE GOLD COAST Here at YWAM Brisbane, you’re just an hour away from one of Australia’s most famous beaches. Surfers Paradise on the Gold Coast offers trendy shops, restaurants and tourist attractions, as well as the prime opportunity to take up boogie boarding or surfing! You can take a train from Mitchelton to Nerang and then a short bus ride and you’re there! The Gold Coast Region is also home to Wet and Wild waterpark, MovieWorld and Dreamworld—exciting theme parks that make for a wonderful weekend getaway—all just an hour and a half from the YWAM centre!