To discover the city of Brisbane, we interviewed Maïtena, a native of Montpellier who has been living in Australia since 2006. She moved to Brisbane with her family after a job transfer and has since fallen in love with the city and its surroundings. She is now an entrepreneur and has developed her own business, My Little France, which helps people in Working Holidays to settle in Australia.
Brisbane, a way of life like no other
After living for some time in Sydney and Melbourne, Maïtena can say that Brisbane is the perfect compromise: a city of 2.5 million inhabitants contrasted by its surroundings full of opportunities for excursions in the wilderness. For her who lived in Montpellier, the climate had to be exemplary and it is the case of Brisbane which always has pleasant temperatures! The city is small enough not to be as stressful as Melbourne according to her but is still big enough and known to host concerts of the biggest international stars! But what seems to seduce our 52-year-old entrepreneur the most is the proximity to the most beautiful treasures of Australia: national parks, magnificent islands, beaches and coral reefs are there! Brisbane almost looks like a postcard and a perpetual vacation. Why come to the end of the world if it means being stuck in the city life according to Maïtena? You will surely find her in her 4×4 on a deserted beach around Brisbane!
Maïtena’s good addresses
To treat your taste buds
Brisbane’s culinary scene has developed a lot in the last few years, and it is possible to enjoy any kind of cuisine. For a varied choice, Maïtena recommends the Eat Street Market, a night market open on weekends. The stalls are containers, the music and the aperitif reign supreme: in short its ideal! It’s also an opportunity to take a culinary world tour for an evening.
To have a drink and a good time
To go for a drink, it’s the Fellons pub that our Frenchie advises us! Conveniently located under the famous Story Bridge, you’ll find a festive atmosphere and a beer handmade on the spot, all with a nice view of the city. For a more relaxed option, she invites you to go watch the sunset on Kangaroo Point. A little drink and the view of the city will make you appreciate the moment.
To party, she mentions Fortitude Valley, a neighborhood that moves a lot for the young ones!
For an air of vacation
To clear your head, you have to get out of Brisbane and go to Coochiemudlo Island, a small island accessible by ferry that will give you the impression of having landed in the tropics.
The district of her heart
Her favorite neighborhood is Southbank, especially for its artificial beach in the middle of the city, the area seems to live around the river and is cheerfully animated by markets and restaurants. Special mention for the West End thanks to the delicious ice creams of Anita’s!
Feeling like home again
When she is homesick or wants to treat herself, Maïtena goes to Pierre who runs the Fromage Yard only 20 minutes from downtown! The cheeses are imported from France or typically Australian. Accompanied by a glass of wine, our entrepreneur feels like she is in France thanks to these wonderful cheeses.
Straddie, a treasure to discover
When it comes to showing her friends a special place, Maïtena didn’t hesitate for a second and told us directly about North Stradbroke Island, Straddie for friends. She takes everyone she meets there, or almost everyone! This island, which is not so well known, is the second largest sand island in the world after Fraser Island. It is simple, this island is for her the incarnation of Australia thanks to its large beach of 30 kilometers and its national park where it is possible to camp in full nature. Not to spoil anything, the fauna of the island is rich and varied: koalas, kangaroos, turtles, manta rays or other dolphins and whales will give you a warm welcome in this little corner of paradise.
A moment engraved in the heart of the Brisbanaise
The moment that Maïtena evokes for us is the Brisbane Festival after the Covid period. This festival takes place every year in September in Brisbane but had to be suspended because of the pandemic of these last years. She evokes the return of this event which before its famous fireworks hosts a show of fighter planes following a low altitude choreography between the buildings. What a thrill to see this impressive spectacle, also in spite of itself a symbol of the return to the life of before!
We hope you have learned more about Brisbane through Maïtena’s recommendations!