Change your perspective:
Alternative study spots in and around Brisbane City
They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results. So, if you’re feeling a mental block when it comes to exam cram or assessment writing, maybe it’s time to change up your environment.
Take the opportunity to get out of your room or off campus and hit up some of Brisbane’s best study nooks. Enjoy the natural sounds in Brisbane’s parks, drop into the library or study on location in one of many Brisbane’s many cafes.
Quick tip: You can tap into Brisbane's free Wi-Fi in a number of parks and public spaces across Brisbane. Locations include the Queen Street and Valley Malls, Reddacliff Place, South Bank and Roma Street Parklands, Brisbane Libraries and on CityCats.
These are the top study spots in and around Brisbane City.
Brisbane Square Library, Brisbane City
Brisbane Square Library (BSL) offers a large space with natural lighting, and is a cool and quiet place to hit the books. Here you’ll have printing facilities, photocopiers and Wi-Fi at your fingertips. Conveniently located at the top of Queen Street, BSL has study and meeting rooms that can be booked in advance, so your study group can get assignments planned and under way easily.
On Wednesdays, take a study break and head down to the Brisbane City Markets to pick up some fresh fruit (study snacks) and gorge on something cheap and tasty for lunch – think paella, pretzels or pasta.
State Library of Queensland, South Bank
Take your pick from a number of top spots to get some work done at the State Library of Queensland. SLQ is quiet, bright and offers excellent facilities, including reliable Wi-Fi and outlets so you can charge your devices. On the ground floor, the River Decks are beside the Brisbane River and offer some green space among the spectacular views of the CBD.
The Edge on Level 1 is a dedicated study space offering just about anything you'd need to get your study done, including spaces for group work. You’ll also find the Brink Café in here and SLQ’s Library Café in the foyer – providing all the caffeine and snacks you’ll need throughout your study session.
With 240 days of sunshine a year, studying outdoors is a legitimate option in Brisbane. Set up with a picnic blanket on the grass and get your reading done outdoors – it's good for you! If you're feeling particularly resourceful, bring a makeshift laptop stand such as a cushion and hook up to the free Brisbane Wi-Fi.
Be inspired by the serene surrounds at the City Botanic Gardens, which set the perfect scene for delving deep into your textbooks, preparing for your next test or revising course content. There is a cafe on site to take care of your coffee cravings, and Brisbane City Council’s free deck chairs are also available. During study breaks, take a walk through the rainforest or fern gully in the park before hitting the books again. Can you feel those stress levels lowering?
Sunshine, breeze, views of the city skyline, free public Wi-Fi – what more do you need? Take a picnic blanket, settle in at South Bank for the day with your headphones in and get studying – and maybe you can take a dip in Streets Beach (Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach) when you’re done.
Pack up the essentials and settle in under the shady trees in New Farm Park. Once you've picked up a coffee from Bar Alto at the Powerhouse, it won't be difficult to slip into study mode along the banks of the river. If you're really lucky, a cute dog or 10 might wander past on their daily walk, and you can reward your hard work with a drink at the end of the day.
UQ Art Museum, UQ
Do you need to catch up on your readings, or just need a quiet space to read over your notes? Settle in to one of the comfy chairs by the window at the UQ Art Museum, sip on a free coffee, and when you're done, wander through the actual museum.
P Block, QUT, Gardens Point Campus
The fourth and fifth levels of P Block are the more peaceful alternative to the busy libraries. However, if night time is when you get your best work done but you need a computer, speedy Wi-Fi and all the facilities, QUT offers 24-hour computer labs at both its campuses.
QUT Law Library, Gardens Point Campus
We have it on good authority that it's easy to get bulk study done in the QUT Law Library – it's super quiet and respectful, so you can focus on your work with no distractions once you're in the zone.
Post Office Square and Anzac Square
With plenty of shade and green space, both Post Office and Anzac Squares have lush patches of grass where you can spread out and dive into your studies. It’s close to brunch, lunch, coffee or smoothies and accessible seven days.
Coffee break
Bonsai Botanika, Brisbane City
Set yourself up with a chai latte and chocolate brownie for your study session at Bonsai Botanika. There's a distinctly serene vibe here despite the super central location on Elizabeth St, and depending on whether you want quiet study space or somewhere to chat for a group meeting, there's plenty of options between two floors you can set yourself up on.
Coffee Anthology, Brisbane City
Soak up the natural light in the courtyard at Coffee Anthology on Charlotte Street. This is the perfect spot to get your textbooks out and take in the fresh air over a light breakfast, brunch, lunch or sweet treat. Open Monday to Saturday.
Felix for Goodness, Brisbane City
Felix is open from 7am weekdays and 8am on Saturday, so you can get in early, snag a great table and hit the books. Take advantage of the all-day breakfast menu in the comfort of this quaint, quiet, confined space in the hidden location of Little Burnett Lane. Closed Sunday.
Le Bon Choix, Brisbane City
If French pastries and sweets get your creative juices flowing, set up shop for a study session at Le Bon Choix. This French-inspired café and patisserie has two locations in Brisbane CBD on Queen Street and Edward Street, both offering ample tables indoors and out for you to spread out which you enjoy a café au lait. Why not scrub up on your French while you’re there?
Starbucks, Brisbane City and South Bank
Starbucks needn’t just be a stopover for a caffeine hit and sandwich. Across its three locations in Brisbane City (Uptown and Edward Street) and South Bank (Grey Street) you’ll find ample space to set up for an on-the-go study session. If you need quiet, bring your headphones, but otherwise use the hustle and bustle of the busy café to get you in the mood for productivity.
