My car was out of action for a few days recently, so I ended up walking around Brisbane a lot more than usual.

And I realised something that probably sounds incredibly obvious to anyone who regularly walks or catches public transport.

The difference between a pleasant 15-minute walk and an absolutely miserable one often has nothing to do with the distance.

It's the trees.

You can walk down one street with these beautiful old trees forming a canopy over the footpath and genuinely enjoy being outside.

Then you turn a corner onto a completely exposed stretch of concrete and suddenly feel like you're being personally punished by the sun.

Same suburb. Same time of day. Completely different experience.

I actually caught myself choosing where to buy lunch based on which route had the most shade, rather than which place was closest.

And it got me thinking about how much we talk about making Brisbane more walkable without always considering whether people actually want to walk those routes in our climate.

A bus stop technically being within walking distance is great. But if getting there involves ten minutes of direct sun and then standing beside a busy road with barely any shelter, that convenience starts looking pretty theoretical.

Obviously we can't magically grow mature trees overnight, and I understand there are issues with underground services, maintenance, and available space.

But it feels like shade should be treated as essential infrastructure in Brisbane, not just something that makes a street look nicer.

The funny thing is that some of our older, leafier streets already demonstrate how much of a difference it makes.

I'm curious whether other people have noticed this.

Are there any particular streets or walking routes around Brisbane that you absolutely love because of the tree cover? Or places that should be an easy walk but feel completely unbearable during the warmer months?

I'd love to hear both, because I'm starting to think the quality of a walking route matters just as much as its length.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has pitched a multibillion-dollar expansion of Brisbane’s busways, proposing new bridges, tunnels and transit ways for dedicated routes for Metro vehicles.

Almost 30 years ago, the state government’s South East Queensland Integrated Regional Transport Plan proposed 75 kilometres of busways, but only about one-third was built, including the South East Busway.

Schrinner wants to revive the unfinished 1990s plan, which proposed busway links to the north and east.

Those routes are similar to the ones he announced for the Metro expansion in 2024, with 22 new stops and stations, although the council’s proposal added a link to the airport.

However, Brisbane City Council is opening up the proposal to revive abandoned busways to public consultation first, asking people where they want the Metro to be expanded.

A business case considering the Brisbane Metro expansion is due to be returned by August 2027.

I've never been, but if this sandwich bar run by a Chinese married couple was operating in a total shithole like McWhirters in the Valley that's mostly empty, I'm surprised it's stayed open for this long.

Would you jump into the river for the pot of gold!?

Absolute chaos with the storm this afternoon, metros running down George and Roma street, did the underground busways flood or something?

Hey r/brisbane

I’m looking to start a casual swimming group and wanted to see if there’s any interest around the East / South side.

I love swimming laps for fitness, but absolutely hate the high pressure, stopwatch staring vibe of traditional adult squads.

I want to start something completely different at the Brisbane Aquatic Centre (Sleeman sports conplex in Chandler) on Friday or Saturday mornings.

The basic philosophy:

1. Chatting at the blocks is mandatory: Talk as much as you want.

2. mix and match ‘Menu’ Sets: I’ll suggest a few sets that you can choose from in case you can’t decide.

3. Lattes After Laps: we hit the onsite arena cafe after for coffee

4. The monthly Ocean bonus: Once a month we will head down to Masthead beach for an open water session (pending)

This is strictly for the 20 - 40 demographic who can confidently swim a lap of a 50m pool but prefers laughter over lap times. No egos, no stopwatch, just a good swim and the rest!

If this sounds like your vibe, drop a comment below! If enough people are keen, I’ll set up a free group chat so we can lock in a date for our first splash.

I just witnessed A1 getting raided.
I mean I think we all saw this coming, just didn’t want to witness it.

26 October 2026 8PM

Mainly regarding drunks, crackheads, noise.

Obviously it is close to the Gabba so game days are no issue, but general Mon-Fri vibes.

Leaving our place as the lovely folk in the public housing next door are screaming daily until 3am and police are called often.

Can’t believe I actually want more rain instead.

Im currently on 5 hours of driving for my L's. I would like too be able to get my P's hopefully by the end of next year. ive held my L's liscence for around two years now. Its really hard for me to do a lot of things and id really like to be able to drive myself around hopefully in the nearby future. I come from a big family so my parents face a lot hardship, ive asked them before if they would help me get my hours up, and the short answer from them is no. I was just wondering if theres any ways to get help with getting my hours up without having to pay for super expensive private driving lessons?

Can’t park there guys !

Hi folks! Looking for recommendations for somewhere on Brisbane’s northside for a small birthday afternoon tea for six people on a Saturday.

The big thing is accessibility, as one of us has significant mobility issues, so somewhere easy to get into and comfortable to get around would be ideal.

We’re not after a traditional high tea or somewhere that specialises in desserts. Just somewhere we can sit, have a nice afternoon tea and relax for a couple of hours. Ideally somewhere that doesn’t close at 3pm! A hotel could definitely be an option too.

TIA for any suggestions!

I swear the A/C in the commuter trains used to be colder… When I moved to Brisbane a few years back I have vivid memories of stepping into what felt like an ice-box for the journey home in the afternoons. Now? Not so much.

Anyone else noticed this?

Hi everyone!

I’m looking for administration or office support volunteering opportunities to gain practical experience.

I hold a Certificate III in Business Administration but have been finding it difficult to gain employment.

I have reached out to my local PCYC, Community Hubs and centres, Vinnies and Wesley Mission with no luck as far.

Does anyone have any recommendations for organisations or places I could reach out to?

Thank you!

Just from the storm that passed

​“You know—one loves the sunset, when one is so sad... ”

Storm cells could form unpredictibly and rapidly with the abundant moisture and updrafts here. Isolated rain the next days also.

Every Halloween for the past 7 years I've collected the fallen pods from the sausage trees in a nearby park, to paint and decorate as part of our Halloween display.

This year I organised a group to do it.

Only it seems the council has cut the trees back because there are no sausage pods hanging or on the ground this year.

Anyone know any parks with them?

Google only tells me the Botanic gardens and Newstead House - and I can't collect from there.

Edit: thanks everyone who has replied with Jessica Andrews park. Unfortunately that's the park I normally use.