Survival Guide

in Brisbane
2015

brought to you by

UQ Malaysian Students Association

WHATS INSIDE???
Hello My Second Home!
-

All about Brisbane

The University of Queensland
UQMSA
MASCA Queensland

4-6
7 - 11
12
13

Getting Started
- The Checklist
- Its Time to Pack!

14 - 19
20 - 21

Brisbane Here We Are!

- Transportation in Brisbane
- Settling Down
- Tuition Fee Payment
- Jalan-jalan!

23
24 - 29
30-31
32 - 36

Who should I contact in Brisbane?

37

UQMSA 2015

Hello My Second Home!

All about Brisbane
Better known as Brissy or Bris Vegas especially
among Brisbanites, Brisbane is the most populous city
in Queensland, as well as the third most populous
city in Australia. Its metropolitan region extends
along the Brisbane River, which is one of its most
iconic landmarks.
Its consistent development is attributed to its wide
range of retails, Port of Brisbane, ecotourism, good
working opportunities and also comprehensive facilities.
Similar to the districts in Malaysia, there are many
geographical subdivisions in Brisbane, which are
called suburbs. Among these are St Lucia (where
University of Queensland is located), Toowong, Indooroopilly, Sunnybank, South Brisbane and West
End.
To know more about Brisbanes suburbs, please refer
to http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/
council-information-and-rates/brisbane-suburbs/

Brisbane Quick Facts

Founded: 1824
State: Queensland (a.k.a. Sunshine
State)
Area: 5950 km2
Population: 2..24 millions (as in June
2013)
Time Zone: Australian Eastern Time
Zone (UTC+10:00)
Climate: Humid subtropical

The Culture
Although English is the universal language here, Brisbane is a
multicultural city just like Malaysia. About 30% of its population was born overseas, particularly from the United Kingdom,
New Zealand, India, China and Malaysia. Malaysia is one of the
foreign countries with the most population in Brisbane, which
was near 10,000.
Among the variety of nations, Asian Australians are the largest
ethnic minority in Brisbane. Hong Kong and Taiwanese-born
Australians pre-dominate areas such as Sunnybank, Stretton and
Robertson. In fact, Sunnybank and its surrounding suburbs are
known as Taiwan Town or Little Taipei due to the large
population of Taiwanese. On the other hand, Asians from Korea,
China, Malaysia and other Southeast Asian countries are more
commonly found in metropolitan areas.

The Landmarks
Queenslander
Interesting enough, Queenslander is
ambiguous it may refer to a person
from Queensland or, in this case, the
characteristic architecture style of
Queensland. It is primarily used for residence, distinguishing Brisbanes suburbs
from other capital cities. A Queenslander
is constructed using timber, usually with
vertical stumps that make the main living spaces off the ground. Such architecture style serves to cool the building by
means of ventilation and also to protect
the building from termites and other
pests.

Wheel of Brisbane
The Wheel of Brisbane is a transportable
Ferris wheel erected at the northern entrance
to South Bank Parklands, which is just
across the river from the Brisbane City. It is
about 60 meters tall with 42 airconditioned capsules which can accommodate up to six adults and two children each.
A ride of approximately 12 minutes offers
you an awesome 360view across the city.

The designer of the Wheel of Brisbane is

Ronald Bussink, a leading designer for
giant Ferris wheels in Australia, Canada,
Paris, UK, USA and many other places for
over 25 years. The Eye on Malaysia,
which used to operate in Kuala Lumpur in
2007 and then in Malacca from 2008 to
2010, is also one of his masterpieces!

Brisbane River
With a length of 344km, Brisbane River is the longest river in the Southeast Queensland.
Situated along the river are the many metropolitan suburbs of Brisbane, making it strategic to
travel from one suburb to another by ferry. There are by far 16 bridges crossing the Brisbane
River, among which the more renowned ones are Story Bridge, Goodwill Bridge and Victoria
Bridge. 5 new bridges will be established in coming years for better accessibility.

Story Bridge
The Story Bridge is a heritage-listed steel
cantilever bridge, which is the longest in
Australia. Connecting Fortitude Valley to
Kangaroo Point, it allows passage for vehicles,
bicycles and pedestrians. It is named after John
Douglas Story, a prominent public servant in
Brisbane.

John Douglas Story entered the

Queensland Public Service in 1906.
He contributed to the establishment
of the University of Queensland and
was a government representative on
the University senate. UQ J. D.
Story

Building

(Building

named in his honour.

61)

was

Welcome to

Another chapter in your life is about to begin

UQ Quick Facts
Founded:
December 10, 1909
Commencement of Classes:
March 14, 1911
Motto:
Scientia ac Labore
(Latin for by means of knowledge and hard work)
Area:
1,376 hectares
Main Campuses:
St Lucia
Ipswich
Gatton
Herston
Total Students:
48,804
Undergraduate Students:
36,219

With its 105th anniversary drawing nigh, the University of

Queensland (UQ) is the oldest and largest university in Queensland.
It is also the fifth oldest university in Australia, hence being regarded
as a Sandstone University.
UQ is one of the members of the Australias Group of Eight and
Universitas 21, which is the leading global network of research universities for the 21st century. It is currently ranked in the top 100 universities worldwide owing to its contributions to the nation and the globe.

Meet The Chancellors!

Chancellor: Mr John Story
Deputy Chancellor: Dr Jane Wilson
President & Vice-Chancellor: Professor Peter H j

Postgraduate Students:
12,585
International Students:
11,513 from more than 142
countries
Top 3 International Source
Countries:
China
Malaysia
Singapore
Top 3 Programs by
Enrolment:
Doctor of Philosophy
Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of Engineering
Info updated as at March 2014

Be proud of UQ Achievements
in 2014!
World University Ranking

Top 1%
QS World University Rankings

43
Australian National University Ranking

3
Graduate Job Rate

81.6%
Awards Received

10785

Services & Facilities

Student Centers
Each campus of UQ has a student center which provides a
comprehensive range of services for all students. In St Lucia
campus, the student center is situated at Level One, J.D. Story
Building, which is just directly at the back of Chancellors
Bus Stop. It is open from 8.30am to 5.00pm on weekdays.

UQ Union Complex
Albeit its official name Relaxation Block, this Building
21 of UQ St Lucia campus is better known as UQ Union
Complex. This place is touted the hub of UQ student
life, as it houses a variety of facilities including eateries,
bank, ATMs, student services, photocopy and printing
shop and so on.
The student services here operate from 8.30am to 4.30pm
on weekdays, catering to the students as well as the
staffs personal, career, welfare and learning issues. A UQ
student is automatically a member of the Union with free
membership.
An interesting fact about UQ Union is that it does not rely
on contributions from students at all to run, but still provides support and funding to UQ clubs and societies.

Libraries
UQ has 15 libraries with up to 2 million volumes. 7 of them are located in St Lucia campus. An undergraduate student can borrow a maximum of 30 items with a standard loan period of 28 days
(subjected to the type of item borrowed). There are ample studying spaces in each library equipped
with computers for free usage. There are also Group Rooms available for online booking at certain
libraries in St Lucia campus.

Security
There is a 24-hour security on all campuses. Below are the emergency numbers:

Extension 53333 for internal calls, or +617 3365 3333 if external

General enquiries +617 3365 1234

Free call 1800 800 123

For more information please go to http://www.pf.uq.edu.au/security.html.

Healthcare
Success can never be achieved sans healthy body. UQ
also prioritizes its students well-being besides
academic excellence. There is a clinic which provides
comprehensive healthcare services in each campus. In
St Lucia campus, there is also a dental clinic at UQ
Union Complex.
For more information about UQ Healthcare please go
to http://www.uq.edu.au/healthservice/.

UQ Landmarks
Great Court
Situated in the heart of the St Lucia campus is the Great Court, surrounded by cloister and buildings
constructed from sandstone, carved with historical scenes, the names of great thinkers and teachers,
coats of arms, grotesques and carvings of Australian flora and fauna.
The 2.5-hectare open space with a spacious meadow is always a favoured place for students and staff to
sit or even lie leisurely for a respite.

The Great Court is listed on

the Queensland Heritage
Register as well as on the
Register of the National
Trust of Queensland.

UQ Lakes
Apart from being one of the iconic features, this freshwater lake is also a home to a myriad of aquatic
lives, birds and land animals. Some are native and some are new species that originated beyond Australia. Added to the beauty of the lake is a water fountain in the middle, making it a sight for sore eyes
to behold.

Art Museum
UQ Art Museum was established in 1976, housing over
3,000 artworks collected by UQ itself since the 1940s. It
was formerly located in Forgan Smith Tower before being
relocated to James and Mary Emelia Mayne Centre
(Building 11) in St Lucia campus. It is the Queenslands
second largest public art collection. It is open to public
from 10am to 4pm on weekdays (closed on public holidays) with free entry.

R.D. Milns Antiquity Museum

This museum was established in 1963, when a Red
-figure Attic amphora was bought from the London auction-house to facilitate the UQ program of
Classics and Ancient History. Housing several
thousands of classical Mediterranean antiquities,
the museum serves to support UQ students and is
also open to the public with free admission from
9am to 5pm on weekdays. It is located at Michie
building (Building 9, Level 2).
Have no idea of the whereabouts of the buildings aforementioned?
Click here to view the map of UQ St Lucia Campus.
Alternatively, download the mobile apps UQnav, which will certainly come in handy
during your first few weeks (or months or even years) in UQ! ;)

University of Queensland Malaysian Students Association

The University of Queensland Malaysian Students' Association (UQMSA) is an official
student body for UQ Malaysian students, affiliated to the Malaysian Students Council of
Australia Queensland Division (MASCA Queensland) as well as UQ Union. UQMSA is
also a non-profit association run by Malaysian students. Our activities are based in the St.
Lucia campus. However, students from other UQ campuses and universities as well as
non-students are welcomed to join us too. In fact, a small proportion of our members consist of non-Malaysians from countries like Singapore, Korea, Hong Kong and even Mauritius!
UQMSA primarily aims to unite its members from diverse backgrounds by promoting
Malaysian culture through fun-filled social and cultural activities. With Bringing You A
Piece of Home as our motto, we have always been striving to inject the sense of
homeliness into our events to make our events more engaging. From welcoming barbeques to outdoor excursions to Mamak Night when you get to fix your craving for Malaysian authentic delicacies (Nasi lemak, Roti Canai, Rendang, *SLURP!*), fun is on its
way and homesickness goes away! In between these social events, there are also intermittent intellectual programs which provide our members with exposure to internship and
volunteering opportunities as well as to skills required for the competitive working life.
We warmly welcome you all to gather in a true Malaysian spirit and enjoy our wide array
of activities alongside the awesome Malaysian food. Sign up with us on UQ Market Day
(25th Feb 2015) during the Orientation Week and heaps of fun will be awaiting you
throughout the year! Spot the Jalur Gemilang to see where our booth is!
In the meantime, check out the updates on our social media, and feel free to contact us if
you have any queries. In UQMSA, we dont bite, we sayang! :)

www.facebook.com/UQMSA

www.uqmsa.org

uniqmsa@gmail.com

Malaysian Students Organizations

MASCA Queensland
MASCA stands for Malaysian Students
Council of Australia. It is a non-profited
student organization supported by the
Malaysian Students Department of
Australia (MSDA), which cares for the
Malaysian students welfare in Australia.
MASCA Queensland is one of the many
MASCA state chapters all over Australia,
which are established in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia,
Tasmania, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and
Northern Territory.
MASCA Queensland is akin to the backbone supporting and unifying 5
affiliated Malaysian students organizations in this Sunshine State,
which comprise of UQMSA (University of Queensland Malaysian
Students Association), QUT MySA (Queensland University of Technology Malaysian Students Association), BUMA (Bond University Malaysian Association), PPMQ (Persatuan Pelajar Muslim Queensland) and
HAKIM (Halaqah Kebajikan Islam Mahasiswa Brisbane). Check out
more about MASCA Queensland on www.facebook.com/
MASCA.Queensland.

A Step by Step Guide

for

Getting Started
Step by step and the thing is done.
Charles Atlas

Things to be completed before youre ready to fly!

Obtain Certificate of Enrolment (CoE) from the University

Check passport expiry date (at least 6 months)

Apply for a student visa

Arrange for a medical checkup

Book flight ticket, print flight itinerary

Bring along some cash/travelers cheque with you

Sort out temporary/permanent accommodation

Arrange for transport from airport

Have an Australian address available for filling up the incoming

passenger card at airport and also for mailing purposes
(especially for your newly applied cards in Australia)

Completing enrolment and sign-on for your courses on mySI-net

Details and guidelines in the following pages.

http://www.immi.gov.au/

www.immi.gov.au/Help/Locations/Pages/Malaysia.aspx.

It is advisable to reach Brisbane at least a few days prior

to the commencement of Orientation Week (23 Feb 2015,
Monday) since you will need some time to settle down.
There are a few options of airlines to come to Brisbane.
But do take note of the destination MAS will reach Brisbane International Airport, whereas Airasia and Jetstar
will reach Gold Coast Airport.

www.uq.edu.au/student-services/accommodation/airportreception.

barnabus.com.au.

www.uq.edu.au/student-services/accommodation.

www.uq.edu.au/student-services/accommodation/colleges.

www.realestate.com.au/rent.

Asking the Right Questions??

1)

Good location? Easy access to frequent public transport?

2)

Fully furnished/partially furnished/unfurnished?

3) Inclusive of utilities & internet? Any hidden fees?

4) Have I read the details on my lease? Bond money?
5) Is my area safe?
6) Is this too good to be true?

https://www.sinet.uq.edu.au/.
http://www.uq.edu.au/study/

UQRota

UQ Timetable Planner

Friendly Advice:
1. It is best to sign on right when it is open, as your preferred classes
may be full within minutes!
2. The sign-on time is Brisbanes time (ie. be 2 hours early if you are in
Malaysia!)

Its time to Pack!

Malaysian Identity Card

Valid Passport
Flight Ticket / Boarding Pass
Australian adapter(s) & Malaysian extension plug(s)
Documents: eCOE & relevant acceptance letter, transcripts, driving
license, others
Clothes
Temperature difference between day and nighttime could be noticeable
especially during winter. So prepare clothes that will make yourself comfy
for both scorching hot and freezing cold weathers. Having a few windproof jackets and long johns would be a splendid idea since the winds are
piercing cold most of the time (not for summer of course :P ).
Footwear
Comfortablility is always of utmost importance. Weather-wise, fully enclosed shoes and boots are recommendable during winter. Just a piece of
warm reminder that Australian government enforces stringent rules to
minimize any soil contamination that could adversely affect the ecosystem. So make sure your shoes are clean enough if you dont wish to see
them being confiscated at the airport security checkpoint!

GOOD Umbrella
If possible, look for one with strong metal ribs. Wind in Australia can be
very strong and destructive to your umbrellas!

Enough Stationery
Medicines (if necessary)
Mobile Phone, laptop and other gadgets (Millennials should remember
these all the time :P)

Personal necessities (e.g. cutlery, containers, sunscreen etc.)

Enough CASH (both Australian dollars and Malaysian Ringgit)

Heres a rough estimation of your monthly expenses, but bear in

mind that it varies from person to person.

Category
Rental (Including
water, electricity
and gas)
Mobile phone &
Internet

Weekly Expenses
Monthly
(AUS $)
Expenses (AUS $)
200

800

20

80

Transportation
Food & Groceries

15

60

50

200

Entertainment
Total

30
315

120
1260

For more information on things allowed and prohibited to

bring into Australia,
please refer to http://www.daff.gov.au/biosecurity/travel/
cant-take.

Get set FLYYYYY!!

Brisbane Here We Are!!

Settling Down
The first few weeks might be grueling for you to establish yourself in a
whole new environment. Fear not. Here are some guidelines so you will
have some inkling of what to start off with.
But before this, you will need to have some ideas of the transportation in
Brisbane in order to travel around. Public transportation here is provided
by TransLink, a division within the Department of Transport and Main
Roads. There are 4 types of public transport: buses, trains, ferries (a.k.a.
CityCat) and trams (only at Gold Coast). You can travel by all these transport with one single card, known as go card.

CityCat

doesnt

get

its

name from the animal cat,

but catamaran, a vessel
consisting of two parallel
hulls of equal size.

Ticketing and Fare

Brisbane region is divided into 23 zones, which radiate out in concentric
rings from the centre of Brisbane. These zones are used to determine the
travel fare for passengers. You can travel for FREE within an hour after you touch on the card (This is called Continuation). Another good
thing is you can enjoy FREE transport for the rest of the week
(Monday is considered the first day of the week) after using your go card
for 9 times in that week!
The fares for each zone are listed on translink.com.au/tickets-and-fares/
fares/current-fares.
What If Ive Forgotten My go card?
You will have to buy a paper ticket on the bus or ferry or train/
tram station, which is almost twice the concession price. So always remember to bring your go card along with you!

No Idea on How to Travel Around?

No worries! TransLink provides a very useful journey planner to
help you figure out the various possible ways to reach your destination. Go to http://jp.translink.com.au/travel-information/
journey-planner.

Now that youve got some ideas on how to travel around,

Lets Get Started!
1.

Get Your Student Card

It is advisable to get your student card on the first day of Orientation

Week, since you need your student ID for many other applications. You
can collect it at Duhig Building (Building 2), St Lucia campus from
8:00am to 4:45pm on weekdays. You will have to bring along your
passport and you COE in order to collect your student card.

2.

Apply for Tertiary Transport Concession Card & Buy a

Concession Go Card

Full-time students are entitled for Concession rates which are almost half of
the adult fares. Starting from 1 July 2014, to purchase a concession go card, a
student must first hold a Tertiary Transport Concession Card (TTCC)
which must be renewed annually. Click here for more info on TTCC.
With a valid Student ID and TTCC, you can buy a go card at many of the
Queensland Rail (train) and G:link (tram) stations, some busway stations, selected newsagents and 7-Eleven stores where you see the buy
symbol. The most convenient location would be the UQ Newsagency beside
Co-op Bookshop, opposite to Commonwealth Bank in St Lucia campus. Remember to show your student ID and TTCC!
Do register your go card online at https://gocard.translink.com.au/webtix/. You will then be able to
check your travel history and to top up your card via bank account online. Just in case if you accidentally lose your card, you can immediately transfer your remaining credit to another registered
go card. This will render your previous card unusable without any credit inside, and you wont suffer any loss. A win-win situation it is!

3.

Open a Bank Account

There are several banks that you can choose from, including Commonwealth Bank, ANZ (Australia and New Zealand Banking Group Limited),
NAB (National Australia Bank) and Westpac. The first two are more recommendable due to their plethora of ATMs and branches especially in the centre of Brisbane city. There are also Commonwealth Bank and ANZ branches
at UQ St Lucia campus, which conveniences your application for a bank
account. Below are the links of each bank:
Commonwealth Bank: https://www.commbank.com.au/
ANZ: http://www.anz.com/personal/
NAB: http://www.nab.com.au/
Westpac: http://www.westpac.com.au/

4. Get a Mobile Sim Card

A mobile number is needed not only to be able to contact your family soon
after reaching Brisbane, but also for all sorts of applications such as bank
account. There are a few options of telecommunication companies that you
may choose from, and the more common ones are Vodafone, Optus,
Telstra, TPG and Virgin Mobile. Just like in Malaysia, there are postpaid
and prepaid plans. If you wish to purchase a brand new phone, then you
would have to resort to postpaid plans, and many people would recommend
Vodafone as it provides relatively cheaper packages. You can also sign up
for postpaid plan without a phone. Otherwise a prepaid sim card will do too.
Something interesting about Australian mobile is that the amount you pay
for is not equivalent to the value of credit given to you. With several tens
dollars paid, you are entitled for credit worth a few hundred dollars for calling and texting, as well as a fixed quota of mobile data. Another good point
is that calling to people using the same provider is FOC! The prices cover a
wide range, depending on which package you opt for, and whether or not it
comes with a phone. If it does, the cheapest would be around $30 per month,
and this can go up to more than $50 or $60 depending on the brand and
model of your phone as well as the amount of credit included. Without a
phone, the cheapest plan would be TPG at the time of writing, which costs
only around $17 per month! However this offer is valid only if you sign up
for its internet and home phone bundle package. So do check out properly on
each and every mobile company and their packages. Below are the links to
each companys website:
Vodafone: http://www.vodafone.com.au/personal
* Friendly Reminder: Vodafone is also available in UK, so do search for the
right one!
Optus: https://www.optus.com.au/
Telstra: http://www.telstra.com.au/
TPG: http://www.tpg.com.au/
Virgin Mobile: http://www.virginmobile.com.au/
*Again, Virgin Mobile has another network coverage in US, so check out the
locations of the coverage carefully. :)
There are Vodafone and Optus stalls at Toowong Village, a shopping center
in Toowong, just about 10 minutes away from UQ St Lucia by bus. Indooroopilly and Brisbane CBD also have many telecommunication stores
with friendly staff to help you set up an Australian mobile number.

5.

Set Up Home Internet

Internet is a must for every uni student. If your accommodation does not provide internet, you will have
to set up on on your own. Most telecommunication companies do provide ADSL internet services.
Many students opt for Optus for its commonly touted better reception, or TPG for its less pricey bundle packages (ADSL + home phone). Their stores are available in Toowong, Indooroopilly and Brisbane CBD. You may also apply online on their websites.

6.

Order OSHC Worldcare Card Online

An Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) card provides you with the
basic cover for medical and hospital care costs in Australia throughout
the valid duration of your student visa. To find out more and to order
your card, please go to www.oshcallianzassistance.com.au/. The card will
be sent to your address in Brisbane for your convenience.

7.

Shopping for Groceries and Household Utensils

After dealing with so many applications, its time to make sure that you have all
your daily necessities and that your home pantry has enough food to feed yourself!
There are 3 supermarkets in Brisbane with many chains all over Australia Coles,
Woolworths and Aldi. The first two can be found in more locations, such as
Toowong, Brisbane CBD, Indooroopilly, West End and Sunnybank. There might
also be small grocery stores nearby residence in certain suburbs. An example is
the St Lucia Supermarket which also sells some Asian groceries. Cheaper household utensils can be found at Kmart in Toowong, Indooroopilly and Sunnybank.

If you wish to look for Asian groceries, there are several Asian supermarkets around Brisbane CBD such as
Formosa, Koz and Hanaro. However, Chinatowns in Brisbane Sunnybank and Fortitude Valley certainly
provide more options. Some examples are Yuens Market (at both Sunnybank and Fortitude Valley), WELCOME Fresh Food Supermarket (Sunnybank), Garboro Asian Supermarket (Fortitude Valley) and Burlington Supermarket (Fortitude Valley).
There is also a morning market selling vegetables, fruits, meat and also breakfast every Saturday, from 8am to
12noon at Davis Park, West End.

Friendly tips for Muslim friends

You can get Halal food from Yuens Market and Halal meat from Ismails
Butcher at Fortitude Valley. Nandos here are selling Halal meat too. For
more guidelines on seeking Halal food in Brisbane please refer to
www.halalfoodbrisbane.com/?content=groceries.

St Lucia & Surrounding Suburbs

UQ Facilities Map

How Should I Pay My Tuition Fee??

The good news is , UQ allows you to pay your fees 2 weeks after
classes start. This is to allow you to get a feel of your courses, and in
any case you find yourself not enjoying them, you are allowed to head
over to SI-net and reselect another course.
This year, fees are due on 13/3/2015 (Friday). Please be aware that after this date, a $100 Late Payment Administration Charge will
be incurred. Click here for more info on the charges on and consequences of late fee payment.

Here are a few steps for you to pay your fees:

Add in your courses

The fees you owe will be displayed in mySI-net the

following day.

Head over to mySI-net financial home page to view your

invoice and to see the amount you are required to pay.

Once you are certain of the invoice and amount, you

should then pay your fees.

Options of Tuition Fee Payment

BPAY
- To do BPAY, contact your participating bank, credit union or building society to make this payment from a cheque, savings or credit card account.
- The biller code is 18119
- The customer reference number will be your eight-digit student number
(eg: 41234567)
Online Payment in SI-net
- Head over to mySI-net Financial home page.
- Click on the

icon.

- Type in your Mastercard/Visa card details.

- Once paid, a payment receipt will be sent to your UQ
student email address.
*Depending on Australias exchange rate, there are times
where transferring the money to your Australia bank account and paying the fees via your Australia bank card
will be cheaper. However, if bank predict future Aussie
currency to be dropping, paying the fees via a Malaysia
bank card could potentially be cheaper.

By Post
- If let says you do not have access to BPAY or do not possess a
credit card, it is possible to send a cheque/money order, along
with your invoice, address to The University Cashier, The University of Queensland, QLD 4072.
By Person
- If you wish to, you are also able to make payment on campus
at the Student Centre.
*It is not advisable for students to make payments by person as
the queue at the Student Center can be fairly long at times.
For further details, please visit http://www.uq.edu.au/myadvisor/payment.

When everything has been settled

Its time to JALAN-JALAN!

Whereabouts to travel
1. Brisbane Central Business District
(Brisbane CBD)
This is the heart of Brisbane as well as Queensland,
which is on the northern bank of Brisbane River. Alongside its densely concentrated buildings, there are also
several parks such as Roma Street Parkland, City Botanic Garden and Wickham Park. The city can get very
crowded on Friday nights and whenever there are Australian festive celebrations. The more happening streets
in the city are Adelaide Street, Queen Street and Elizabeth Street. Shopping malls, boutiques, eateries and
Asian marts are all around. A true heaven for shopaholics and food lovers!
* Friendly Reminder: Shops operated by Aussies
(except for those for nightlife) are usually closed around
4-5pm. They will only extend the opening hours on
Thursday or Friday and on certain festive seasons. Always check the business hours so you wont be let
down. Markets and restaurants run by Asians are usually open until nighttime.

2.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary

Wish to have a close look of the Australian wildlife? Then this is where
you should go! Lone Pine was founded
in 1927 and is the world's oldest and
largest koala sanctuary. It is located
in the suburb of Fig Tree Pocket. Besides koalas, you will also be able to
see kangaroos, platypus, other mammals as well as a myriad of birds and
reptiles.

3. Gold Coast
Being the second most populous city in the state and the sixth most populous city in the country, Gold
Coast is a coastal city on the east coast of Australia. Its surfing beaches, canal and waterway systems,
theme parks, nightlife, and rainforest hinterland make it a fascinating attraction for tourists.
There are many beaches along the coast, including Surfers Paradise, Mermaid Beach, Rainbow Bay, Main
Beach and so on. Besides visiting beaches for the breathtaking views, you will also come across shops and
skyscrapers just beside the beaches. A must-go place for shopaholics is Harbour Town, the first and largest brand direct outlet shopping centre in Australia.

4. Sunshine Coast
About 2-hour drive to the north of Gold Coast will lead you to Sunshine Coast, also known as the little
brother of Gold Coast. This is an urban area with more laid-back lifestyle. Its pristine beaches and
nature are the main captivation for tourism. Interesting places include Noosa, Coolum, Maroochydore
and Mooloolaba.

5.

Mount Coot-tha

Mount Coot-tha, located 6km to the west of

Brisbane CBD, is 287 meters above sea level,
therefore the highest peak in Brisbane. Due
to its high altitude, it is a favoured place for
Brisbane lookout, where you can enjoy a
panoramic view of Brisbane city. Apart from
the lookout point, other places of attraction
are Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, the
Cosmic Planetarium and Herbarium.

Of course, there are a lot more places for you to explore on your own!
If you are a member of UQMSA, our membership card will serve as a
guide for you on the well-known eateries as well as services around
Brisbane, which mostly come with an amazing DISCOUNT!

Proud Sponsors of UQMSA in 2015:

Diamond Sponsors

Malaysia Airlines, Brisbane

Shell Malaysia

AUG Brisbane

Puzzled Room Escape

Dapur Dahlia

Thai Nakonlanna

La Rotisserie

Platinum Sponsors

San kai Japanese

Restaurant
Quest Chermside

Riverlife

Jackpot Dining

Barnabus
Hong Depot
Restaurant

Six Degrees Cafand Restaurant

Gold Sponsors

Satay Ria

Foundry Artisan Coffee

Silver Sponsors
St Lucia:
La Porchetta

Sunnybank:
Fantastic Food Trading P/L

Toowong:
Two Wongs Asian

Thai Treasure

Madtongsan IV

Sergios Salon

Bangkok Delight Thai

Coco Jungle

Renu Thai

Anything

Glamorous Wok

QU Books

Kushi Q

CafMi

Chez Tessa

October Hair Salon

Curry Connection

Formosa Asian Market

Fortitude Valley:
Burlington Supermarket

Sunnybank Oriental Restaurant

Burlington Butcher

Landmark Restaurant

Tea Master Vegetarian Caf

Welcome Fresh Food

Superbowl Chinese Restaurant

Supermarket

Cheungs Cakes & Caf

Shin Yuan Restaurant

Pho Kim Lan Restaurant

Shah Caf

Brisbane City:
reP.I.T. Tea & Juice Bar

Archive Fine Books

AJ Vietnamese Noodle House

Kadoya Japanese Restaurant

Nudos on Mary

Formosa Asian Market

West End:
Siam Samrarn

Boom Boom Korean Restaurant

Madtongsan II

Hazel Tea Shop

Satay Club Noodle House

Gelatissimo

Siam Pung Dessert

Who Should I Contact in Brisbane?

If you encounter any emergencies such as a crime happening right at that moment, life
threatening events or if you suspect any offenders in the area, call the emergency
number 000. This is the common emergency number for police, ambulance and fire
brigade. Click here for more information.

If the cases are less urgent, such as willful property damage, stealing offences, break
and enters, stolen vehicles and lost property, call Policelink on 131 444.

If you have any queries regarding your courses or living in Brisbane, always feel free
to contact UQMSA.
UQMSA Our friendly committees are more than happy to help you out.

uniqmsa@gmail.com
www.facebook.com/UQMSA
www.uqmsa.org
uqmsa
twitter.com/uqmsa

All the best and we

hope to see you
soon! :)