¶ IETF 119 
Brisbane, Australia
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¶ Meeting Venue
Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre
Merivale St,
South Brisbane QLD 4101,
Australia
The South Brisbane railway station is directly adjacent on the east side of the IETF meeting venue. The same railway station is about a 1 minute walk from the Rydges South Bank Brisbane hotel.
¶ Hotels 
Headquarters hotel:
Rydges South Bank Brisbane
Amenities
- Room service
- Pool access
- Guest laundry services
- Fitness center
- Restaurant
- Wifi
¶ Airport Transportation
Brisbane Airport (BNE) is the primary international airport serving Brisbane and South East Queensland.
Airport Transportation options
¶ Fare estimate
An Airtrain ticket purchased online in advance is $21.90 round-trip, which is MUCH cheaper than a taxi or uber.
Passengers can expect to pay $45 - $55 for a taxi or uber (one way for a trip from the airport to Brisbane City). Outside of peak periods, it is approximately a 20 minute drive from the airport to the city.
¶ Train 
The Airtrain is a quick and easy option for getting to and from the airport. Travelling between the Brisbane Airport and Brisbane City takes just 20 minutes. Airtrain travels express to the Gold Coast, linking to the G:link tram for travel to Surfers Paradise and the Gold Coast beaches.
Train services run every 15 minutes during peak times and every 30 minutes off-peak periods. Airtrain also connects into the Queensland Rail suburban network.
Note: Due to track work on the Brisbane City line Saturday 16th and Sunday 17th, you'll have to transfer to a rail replacement bus service from Bowen Hills station to get to your destination. [https://www.airtrain.com.au/travel-info/service-changes/]
If one books a "Return" ticket online in advance, then the return journey on Airtrain is free. Cost of doing this online in advance between BNE Airport and the South Brisbane station is A$21.90, which is substantially lower than the estimated Taxi cost.
To book travel on the Airtrain
¶ Finding the Airtrain Station
- At the International Terminal: take the travellator or lift to Level 3 of the Terminal building and follow the signs to the station.
- From the Domestic Terminal: make your way out to the front of the building and take the Skywalk across to the station.
¶ Rideshare and Uber 
Booking a rideshare service? Easy! Brisbane Airport was one of the first airports in Australia to enable rideshare pick up services, including Uber, Didi, Ola and Sheba.
Simply order your rideshare using your preferred app and follow the signs to the designated Rideshare Booking areas to meet with your driver.
¶ Shuttle Bus 
Door to Door Shuttle Bus: Con-x-ion
If you’re looking for a door to door transfer to and from Brisbane Airport, consider using the Con-x-ion shuttle bus transfer service.
¶ Arrival Coordination 
¶ Departure Coordination 
¶ Language 
The most commonly spoken language in Australia is English.
¶ Money Conversion 
The official (cash) currency of Australia is the Australian Dollar (otherwise known as the Aussie Dollar, with the international abbreviation AUD$).
More about the Australian Dollar and other helpful tips
XE Currency Conversion Web Site
¶ Electrical Plug / Outlet
Electrical Plug and Voltage Information for Australia Plug type I
240v, 50hz. Most power outlets have an ELCB. Earth pin is optional.
¶ Weather 
Current weather conditions in Brisbane, Australia
Weather radar from the Bureau of Metrology (the "BoM")
¶ Local Guide
¶ Queensland Welcome and Travel information
Welcome from Message from the Minister for Tourism and Sport, The Hon. Michael Healy MP
¶ Brisbane experiences
Micro Brewery Tours - https://hoponbrewerytours.com.au/
At Hop On Brewery Tours, we offer all-inclusive, expertly guided behind-the-scenes tours to breweries and distilleries in Brisbane. The focus is on education and appreciation, helping guests discover their favourite flavours and styles while sampling fresh, exciting new offerings at partner breweries and distilleries.
River to Bay Evening Brewery Tour (commences at 6pm)
https://rivertobay.com.au/brewery-tour/
Miramar Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary Cruise (9 – 3pm)
https://mirimarcruises.com.au/daily-cruises/#cruise-options
City Winery – wine blending and degustations etc
https://citywinery.com.au/experiences/#experiences
River / Rockclimbing activities
(90 minute kayaking or rockclimbinb and abseiling etc)
https://riverlife.com.au/
Story Bridge Adventure climb https://storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au/
¶ Brisbane Travel Options
(many of the locations in this section are in a list at google maps)
¶ Bus, Ferry and Trains in Brisbane and South East Queensland
South East Queensland has a single integrated ticketing system for all forms of public transport bus, train, ferry: not hire-car, taxi or uber, which covers the region -including Brisbane, North to Noosa and south to Coolangatta.
Most forms of public transport included in this system will require use of a Go Card which can be obtained from railway stations with a ticket office, or a range of retailers. Travel requires check-on and check-off, with transfer between bus, train and ferry possible within a time limit. You can top-up (add money) the Go card at the South Brisbane station, very close from the IETF.
Some buses accept cash, but others are go-card only. Bus boarding is by any entrance unless otherwise indicated. Buses typically require flagging down to stop.
High speed "citycat" and cross river "kittycat" ferries are included in this ticketing system. Ferries operate between U.Q St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton with multiple stops in the city.
¶ Bike and Scooter hire
Brisbane permits use of e-bikes and scooters, with both Neuron and Beam available. Use of these bikes and scooters is covered by the BCC and Queensland Road Rules and require use of a helmet which should be provided with the device. Scooters and Bikes can be speed limited by geofencing in some locations.
¶ Slang
Please do not believe reddit and other sources of "what is normal slang" because you will cause great offence using the c-word which is often portrayed as normal, everyday Australian slang. It isn't. Per usual advice on cultural appropriation, use of slang is generally inadvisable for visitors. Most attempts to use slang will embarrass you more than it will endear you to the locals.
There is a lot of Australian slang. Use varies, with some common and some uncommon. Swearing is common (see above).
Some people refer to the city centre as the Central Business District or CBD and you may see this in maps or local guides.
We really do say g'day. Use of the word "mate" is highly contextual and may be friendly or not, depending.
¶ Services and Shopping
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Snap Laundromat at Hardgrave Road
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IGA Local Grocer, South Brisbane -independent supermarket with hot food options
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Harris Farm Markets -like Trader Joes, good range of fruit and veg as well as fresh meat and fish and deli items. This location also has a full service Woolworths, and a pharmacy as well as food outlets. There is a Coles across the road.
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Officeworks, Adelaide St -Office supplies and consumer grade IT equipment
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Umart Milton A local IT supplier which can also provide more extensive comms equipment. Nearby to umart there are licenced telco cable makers and telco supply companies if you need a Krone Tool or Cat6-e special fittings or a GPS cable made up.
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Jaycar Electronics Google Maps is an electrical, electronic and related parts and kit supply company with a lot of discrete parts, as well as cables, connectors and useful USB widgets
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Avid Reader and "Where the Wild Things Are" local Bookshop, with childrens bookshop next door.
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Bent Books local secondhand Bookshop
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Archive Fine Books Extensive secondhand and Antiquarian bookseller in the city
¶ Food and drink in the IETF meeting area
The IETF119 venue is close to a wide array of food and drink choices. The Southbank parklands has a good guide to choices in the immediate area. These include riverside eating, as well as Little Stanley Street close to the meeting Hotel.
¶ Breakfast/Brunch Cafe Ideas
A quick bit of research for some cafes in the Brisbane city are and I’ve found some interesting ones. Breakfast/brunch in cafes is a huge thing for Australians.
There’s a French-Italian bakery called Doughcraft, but not open weekends, at 181 Mary Street, Brisbane. As well as great bread and pastries, they’ve kept the mosiac tile floors, the curtains and timber of the dining room, and the exposed brick walls. All the furniture is the same, and it still has the same lovely soft light coming in off Mary Street. https://www.doughcraftbne.com/
There’s the croissant specialist Lune, started by a former Formula 1 aerodynamicist who took her engineering skills to making the best croissant. It’s at Shop 10, 79 Adelaide St, Brisbane and Shop 1, 13-17 Manning St, South Brisbane. https://www.lunecroissanterie.com/
In New Farm, which can be an hour's walk mostly along the river, is A Cafe Called Kevin that has been an enormous hit with New Farm locals according to local media. The café has a farm outside Brisbane where most of the food comes from. https://www.instagram.com/acafecalledkevin
There’s Corner Deli in Woolloongabba which is described as “slick Woolloongabba restaurant Clarence is now doing day duty during the week as Corner Deli, owners Ben McShane and Matt Kuhnemann expanding into a neighbouring tenancy and installing an all-electric open kitchen. Corner Deli’s breakfast menu features a blood pudding roll with brown sauce and a fried egg, a maple-smoked bacon roll with a fried egg and green-bean chutney, and congee served with a spring-onion pancake.” http://clarencerestaurant.com/Corner-Deli-Home
There are oodles more, but those 4 all seem VERY appealing to me to start! So if you get time...
¶ Afternoon/Night Eating/Drinking
A huge hit for locals and tourists alike is the Howard Smith Wharves with numerous bars and restaurants and even a local brewery onsite. See https://howardsmithwharves.com/
¶ BYO, Bottle Shops and "Hotels"
Bring Your Own (Bottle) - BYO or BYOB on signs, or websites about a cafe or restaurant means an unlicenced restaurant or cafe permits you to bring your own wine and beer. Otherwise, It may be possible to bring wine and pay corkage (high!), but it is unusual to bring wine to a licenced food venue. Check first.
Carry-Out Alcohol is bought from "a bottle shop" or Bottle-O which is typically licenced in association with a Bar or Hotel. Chains include B.W.S. and Dan Murphys
Speaking of "Hotel" although in strict terms this means a provider of short stay accommodation, with the exception of hotel chains like the Hyatt or Marriott, to all intents and purposes "hotel" to a brisbane local means a Bar or Pub (Public House), if a pub/hotel has accommodation in Brisbane it is usually not the principal activity.
In country Queensland, it usually (but not always) does actually provide accommodation.
TL;DR "hotel" probably means pub, unless it doesn't.
¶ Tipping culture: "it depends"
Australia has one of the worlds best Minimum Wage award systems and all food and drink service staff are paid at or above this level. Weekend and public holiday work can earn a supplement and may therefore have a noted extra charge.
Tipping is not mandatory, and does not form part of the normal renumeration for serving or cooking staff. Tipping counter staff at shops is highly unusual.
For exceptional service in a restaurant or cafe it is not unusual to tip. Increasing use of paywave methods includes the proffer of a tip at 10%, 15% or 20% but this can be (and very frequently is) skipped.
If you see a tip jar it is a signal that cash tipping is preferred, but this is entirely voluntary and you won't be chased out of the place if you ignore it: a lot of the time for card payment the service staff will click through the tip screens anyway.
High end venues or large group venue bookings may assume or require a tip and should say so a the time of booking.
¶ Restaurants & Cafes
Here's some good choices.
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The Greek Club two streets behind the venue next to Musgrave Park
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Wooloongabba: The Norman Hotel (traditional aussie pick-your own Steaks Steaks)
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Breakfast Creek: The Breakfast Creek Hotel (traditional aussie pick-your own Steaks)
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City Centre: Howard Smith Wharves Food and drink venue under the Storey Bridge with a range of food and drink outlets: mod-oz, Greek, Italian, Asian, microbrewery.
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Julius Pizzeria Google Maps a pleasant small back-lane Pizza Joint. queues form early. Table Service as well as Take-away
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El Planta Vegetarian Tacos
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Birds Nest Yakitori
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Enoteca 1889 in Wooloongabba -Italian
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Govindas Hare Krishna operated West End vegetarian cafe
¶ High end
Brisbane doesn't have a Michelin starred restaurant. It does have some very nice choices a rung down the ladder:
- Walters high end steaks and wine
- Moo Moo close to Walters. huge wine list.
- E'cco Bistro by Philip Johnson
- Settimo by Guy Grossi across the river from the venue, hotel setting from an established Melbourne fine dining executive chef
- Sono Portside Japanese fine dining
- Blackbird
- Moda Javier Codina has been running venues in Brisbane since the 90s.
- Pilloni award winning Sardinian restaurant
¶ Bars
Here's a West End bar list
Some personal favourites
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West End: Saccaromyces Beer Cafe -also has pinball, table games and food choices as well as a selection of microbrewery beers
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Archive Beer Boutique in West End has a large selection of beers.
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Rooftop Bar close to venue: The Terrace at Emporium -Dress code but great view over the CBD at sunset. Bar food available too. Birkenstocks will not pass muster.
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City Centre: Howard Smith Wharves Food and drink venue under the Storey Bridge
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The Charming Squire large venue, close to IETF119 meeting, a tied-house bar/restaurant for James Squire Brewing. Show your IETF meeting badge for happy hour prices anytime.
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There are many clubs, pubs and bars in Fortitude Valley ("the Valley") which after dark may require government issued I.D. to be entered, and/or have dress codes.
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Pincadia relatively close to the venue as well as Netherworld in the Valley Both have a large selection of pinball and amusement arcade electronic games.
¶ LGBTQI+ (this needs more work)
- The LGBT Travellers Guide to Brisbane
- Brisbane City Council guide for LGBTQI+
- Merles Bar, The Regatta Hotel commemorates Merle Thornton and Rosalie Bognor who chained themselves to the bar in 1965 to establish women's right to be served beer at the pub.
¶ Coffee
- Newports Cafe
- Veneziano Coffee Roasters
- Black Milk Coffee West End
- Doc Brown Cafe
- Cheeky Bean
- Lune - Croissants designed by a former F1 engineer, and a changing range of pastries along with coffee
- Chuffed Merivale
- Cups on Melbourne
¶ Markets
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Saturday mornings: West End local Fresh produce market as well as snacks, drinks, clothing and gifts.
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Tuesday Lunchtime: St Stephens Cathedral (google maps) Farmers/food market
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Wednesday Lunchtime: Reddacliff Place (google maps) street food market
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Thursday Lunchtime: Cathedral Square (google maps) Farmers/food market
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Friday, Saturday and Sunday Evening: Eat Street Northshore Food and drink outlets after 4pm reachable by bus and ferry but some distance down river
There are also gift/general markets at Southbank at the weekends, and a large produce and flower market outside the CBD at Rocklea.
¶ Things to do in Brisbane
¶ Come and say hi at APNIC's offices in West End
If you'd like to visit APNIC, the Asia Pacific Regional Internet Registry Offices they're close by in West End. Please contact reception on 07 3858 3100.
¶ About the Aboriginal Community of Brisbane
West End is the precinct adjacent to South Brisbane, where IETF119 is being held. This is one of the more significant Aboriginal community hubs of the inner city. Community housing, health and employment initiatives exist throughout West End to service this community, and the Aboriginal communities of Queensland at large who often come into the city for a mixture of health and socio-economic reasons.
The local Aboriginal community frequently gathers in Musgrave Park, and public spaces in West End. Please be respectful of their personal space.
The Aboriginal communities of Brisbane have a rich history.
Aboriginal Tour Companies Offer commercial for-fee services to tourists which help explain the local context for the Turrbal people.
Musgrave Park behind the IETF119 Venue remains a culturally significant meeting place for the local Aboriginal community. Murri Radio operates FM services locally. the Aboriginal Flag Intersection (Google Maps) remains despite local council opposition and is periodically repainted.
¶ Museums Galleries & Cultural venues
The Cultural Centre houses two galleries, the state library complex and a museum. All are worth visiting and have food venues, exhibitions, gallery shops and are within close walking distance along the riverside.
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Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (QaGOMA) is walking distance close by Google Maps
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Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) is near to QaGOMA and houses the Queensland state gallery collection. Google Maps
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The Queensland Museum in the same complex Google Maps with life size dinosaur models and the last surviving WW1 German A7V Sturmpanzerwagen "Mephisto"
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The Aboriginal Art Company is a private indepedently run art space close to the cultural centre which also sells indigenous works of art. Google Maps
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Museum of Brisbane which can include on Tuesdays an Organ Tour and a Visit up the City Hall Tower
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Queensland Performing Arts Centre is the largest theatre and concert hall venue in Queensland The March Schedule includes a range of events.
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Maritime museum, not far from IETF, is quite disorganized and not always well-cared of but nice. The best part is the visit of the Diamantina, a war boat from the second world war, now in a former dry dock. You can go almost everywhere in the boat.
¶ Attractions
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South Bank Parklands is directly across from the IETF meeting venue and has a free outdoor beach and pool, barbeques, riverside walks, restaurants and a kids water play area.
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Aside from South Bank, the precinct has many smaller and larger parks often with a free electric BBQ. Some are riverside, and there is a riverside walk both sides connecting the city and the inner city suburbs.
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Lone Pine Koala Sancturary Is up river, reachable by Boat with Miramar cruises or by bus. Lone Pine has a collection of Australian Native Fauna including Platypus in a day-for-night time shifted enclosure so you can see them active in a glass walled enclosure, Emu, Dingoes, Wombats, Fruit Bats and a Kangaroo feeding enclosure as well as the 'hug a koala' photo opportunity. This is a half-day activity incuding the cruise up river, the bus is marginally faster.
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Queensland Telecommunications Museum Open Wednesdays 9am to 2pm
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The XXXX (Four-X) Brewery Castlemaine Brewing is Queensland's principal brewery, named for the small Victorian country town brewery it started from in 1857. Tours include a beer tasting for 18 years old and over.
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Mt Coot-Tha has a hilltop view of the region from the Border Ranges to the sea, is reachable by public transport and also has fine walks and BBQ areas
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Daisy Hill Koala Refuge Another Animal refuge if you find Lone Pine unappealing
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Greater Glider Conservation Area A local habitat of Gliders, small gliding mammals indigenous to the area
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Oxley Creek a post industrial parkland in south-central Brisbane which has a huge variety of local, and occasional visitor Birds. Taxi or Uber required.
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Boondall Wetlands relatively close to the airport, a wetlands conservation area. Taxi or Uber required.
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locations in Brisbane which feature in "Bluey" -Bluey is animated by around 50 people, formerly in West End, now at Ludo Studio in Fortitude Valley,and of course is famously set in Brisbane.
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Urban Climb West End indoor climbing facility within walking distance of IETF119.
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Bend and Fly Yoga next door to Urban Climb.
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Rock Climbing at Kangaroo Point Outdoor abseiling and climbing on a cliff face overlooking the CBD.
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Brisbane River Kayak hire self managed and curated Kayak experiences in the CBD on the Brisbane River.
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Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk is a nice walk on a wooden path built over the mangrove of Moreton Bay. From Brisbane, take the train at the South Brisbane station, near the IETF (Go card works) to Wynnum (direction Cleveland) and walk. The mangrove is in a nice park. Sometimes there are mosquitoes, repellent can be useful.
¶ Day or longer trips in the region
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Australia Zoo which is the Irwin Family commercially operated Zoo. It continues to show crocodiles and other animals. This is a long ride out of town (google maps) and will require planning for a day trip.
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Tangalooma is an island 25km offshore in Moreton Bay, with wreck diving, Kayak, Sand dunes and bird Life. the Ferry Terminal (google maps) is close to the river mouth and takes approximately 45min to reach the island. This a day trip.
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Stanthorpe and the Granite Belt Queenslands cool climate Wine and Fruit growing region. the drive passes through Cunningham's gap in the great dividing range.
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Noosa a sheltered Beachside town with surf lessons, kayaking, food and national parklands. Has a semi formal nudist beach. Doable as a day trip, overnight is better.
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The Gold Coast some of Queensland's best loved beaches. Probably the closest convenient beach for Brisbane.
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Byron Bay in Northern N.S.W. has a great beach, the most eastern point of Australia with a lighthouse. An overnight visit would be comfortable
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The Margaret Olley Centre in Tweed, N.S.W. is an eclectic gallery dedicated to the work of this Australian Artist with a recreation of her studio
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Six of the best surfing beaches close to Brisbane consider Fingal in N.S.W. as well.
¶ Emergencies & personal safety
In an emergency dial 000.
¶ Street people and locals
West end and south Brisbane provide support services to rough sleepers, the unemployed, and Aboriginal visitors to town from rural and remote locations. Support services are located close to the IETF119 venue and you may see people in distress, or with complex conditions related to alcohol and drug abuse. Generally maintaining situational awareness especially after dark, and unfortunately especially for single women is necessary throughout Brisbane.
¶ Be sun smart
Brisbane is at 27.5° South and sub-tropical (the tropic of Capricorn is 600km north of Brisbane) -You can suffer significant skin damage from Sun exposure even in March, and on a cloudy day you can still burn if outside for extended periods of time. Use SPF50+ sunscreen, wear a hat, or carry an Umbrella. Sun Smart
¶ Medical
For non emergency walk-in situations the nearest hospital is The Mater Hospital which is a Short Walk from the IETF venue and includes the Childrens Hospital, and both public and private emergency services.
- Queensland Health recommend ringing 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84) to check in with trained medical staff if you can.
- Mater Hospital Public Emergency Department is the nearest public hospital. Wait times are variable subject to triage but often long.
- Mater Hospital Private Emergency Department is also available for fee.
Overseas visitors to Australia can be liable for the costs of treatment and you are advised by the Australian Government to ensure you have either a reciprocal agreement in place for your home economy and Australia, or have arranged health insurance.
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Queensland Government guidance on Sexual and other Assault and help
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Use of pathology lab services, and allied health services often requires a Doctors Referral.
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Sexual health clinics should not require a GP referral.
¶ Wild Animals
It's fine. Same as for slang, don't believe everything you read on Reddit. You are not at significant danger from Australian wild animals of any kind.
That said, we do have Redback Spiders, whose bite is extremely painful for adults and dangerous for small children, fire ants (painful singular, dangerous in volume) And there are snakes in the city, rarely venomous but none the less best avoided.
If you maintain situational awareness, it is very unlikely you will encounter an animal in Brisbane seeking to cause you harm.
Fruit Bats can carry lyssavirus, a relative of rabies. (we do not have rabies in Australia) as well as cause Hendra Virus (transmission through horses) -They are safe at a distance, they do not attack, but you should avoid handling if you find one. They roost up river, and fly down past South Bank parklands at twilight and dawn. It's worth seeing.
Parkland may have Possums: Ringtail, and Bushtail possums (it's obvious from the name which is which: Ringtail are smaller) which are mostly nocturnal and entirely harmless. There are many Sacred Ibis ("the Bin chicken") Cockatoos, Galahs, Kookaburra, and other birds. The Australian Magpie and Butcher Birds have beautiful song, but can swoop on passers by in nesting season but are otherwise harmless. Kookaburra are opportunistic food thieves as well as raucus. If you are lucky you may see Silver Eye and Blue Fairy Wren. Bush Stone Curlews stand motionless in a belief like dinosaurs you can't see them if they don't move. If you get too close they will spread their wings to make themselves look bigger. Their cry at night is unmistakable. A small bird in mobs which chases off larger ones is a Noisy Miner, a native species. The Indian Mynah is unrelated and an invasive species. Willy wagtails get their name from the dance. Swans in Australia are mostly black.
There are Sacred Kingfishers, Osprey and Bhraminy Kite feeding on the river along with several species of heron and darters, which does contain Bull Sharks (the only species commonly in both fresh and salt water) as well as a range of bait fish and larger species.
We have a couple of species of larger lizard including the water dragon which will be found in the Riverside parklands, (up to 1/2m long). They will make an angry display and hiss if you get close as will Blue Tongues, flatter placid lizards with .. a blue tongue.
Koalas do live outside of the reserves in the suburbs of Brisbane. They're at risk almost all the time you can see them, and an increasingly marginal population declared endangered in 2022.
Wombats are shy, and uncommon close to Brisbane.
There are feral deer, and small marsupials in the larger parklands on the edge of the city (Like Mt Coot Tha and Daisy Hill Reserve)
Moreton Bay has a population of Turtles, Dugong (smaller than but related to the Manatee) and Bottlenose Dolphin. In season (June-October) there are Humpback whales. All year round you can see Manta Rays and several species of shark