The complete student guide to Brisbane on a budget
Making the most of your time studying abroad on a student budget is a balancing act. You want to have #noregrets, but you also have limited cash to splurge on fun adventures and fancy food.
Our students' guide to Brisbane on a budget should become your go-to for saving money on food, clothes, eating out and activities.
Markets
The first place to save cash is on your weekly groceries. Brisbane’s farmers’ markets bring the freshest produce into the city at competitive prices. Grab your reusable bag and take cash to do your weekly shop. You’ll be pleasantly surprised how far your money goes and the sheer variety of fresh produce available.
Tip: Plan well. Creating a shopping list makes sure you have enough food for the week and don’t buy impulsively.
West End Markets
What: Organic produce, flowers, second-hand clothing and bric-a-brac along with food tastings
When: Every Saturday, 6am – 2pm
Where: Davies Park, Cnr Jane St and Montague Rd, West End
Jan Powers Farmers Markets, Brisbane Powerhouse
What: Farm-fresh food and produce such as cheeses, vegetables, pizzas, pasties, cider and freshly baked breads. You’ll also find ready-to-go juices, coffee and takeaway food.
When: Every Saturday, 6am – noon
Where: 119 Lamington St, New Farm
Brisbane City Markets
What: Twice a week the farmers come to the city with fresh produce, flowers, herbs, nuts and dried fruits, baked food and an international street food fair.
When: Every Wednesday, 8am – 6pm; Thursday 8am – 2pm
Where: Wednesday at Reddacliff Place (George St end of Queen St Mall); Thursdays at Cathedral Square (Corner of Ann and Wharf streets)
Milton Markets
What: A wide selection of farm-direct produce, meats, seafood, eggs, honey, gourmet food stalls, arts and craft.
When: Every Thursday and Sunday, 6am – noon
Where: Milton Green, Cribb Street, Milton
Kelvin Grove Village Markets
What: Fresh produce with a selection of plants, flowers and crafts. Live music and street food.
When: Every Saturday, 6am – 1pm
Where: Blamey St, Kelvin Grove Urban Village
Saturday Fresh Market, Rocklea
What: Brisbane’s largest fresh produce and lifestyle market with a huge range of flowers, baked goods and quality meats.
When: Every Saturday, 6am – midday
Where: 385 Sherwood Rd, Brisbane
Op Shops
After food and rent, the next thing that can zap your budget is clothing and homewares. Luckily Brisbane’s opportunity shops have everything you need.
These charity or thrift stores receive community donations and sell second-hand and new items for bargain prices, with all money going towards their cause.
Shopping this way helps the environment and supports the work of charities, so you can feel twice as good in every outfit.
- Tip #1: Below we’ve listed the most common charity stores, but there are plenty of independent boutiques too. Try searching “op shop”, “charity store” or “second-hand shop” in Google Maps to find more near you.
- Tip #2: Op shops won’t always have what you need, so you might need to visit a few stores or return often as they receive new stock every day. Soon you’ll discover your favourite stores and locations.
Lifeline
What: Second-hand clothes, shoes, books, furniture and household items.
Where: Brisbane City, West End, Windsor, Stones Corner, Fairfield, Annerley (vintage), Moorooka, Carina, Everton Park, Nundah, Mt Gravatt Plaza, Keperra, Acacia Ridge, Geebung, Virginia, Sumner Park, Wynnum and Inala.
Salvos
What: Second-hand clothes, shoes, books, household items, furniture.
Where: Red Hill, Stones Corner, Geebung, Wynnum, Sandgate, Capalaba, Mt Gravatt, Sherwood, Indooroopilly, Brendale, Mitchelton, Enoggera, Cleveland and Archerfield
Discount: Salvos offers a 20 per cent discount to all students.
Vinnies
What: Second-hand clothes, shoes, books and household items.
Where: West End, Fortitude Valley, Paddington, Newstead, Annerley, Wilston, Stones Corner, Cooparoo, Stafford, Cannon Hill, Eagle Junction, Nundah, Sherwood, Corinda, Grovely, Kenmore, Mt Gravatt, Northgate, Virginia, Geebung, Oxley, Sumner Park, Acacia Ridge, Albany Creek, Wynnum, Capalaba, Brighton, Slacks Creek and Lawnton.
RSPCA
What: Second-hand clothing, shoes, household items, accessories and furniture.
Where: New Farm (furniture shop), Ascot, Paddington, Moorooka, Stones Corner, Sherwood, Lawnton and Wacol.
Volunteer: If you love animals or are studying veterinary science, you could volunteer at the RSPCA too.
Eating out
Planning a dinner with friends should not have you fretting about the balance of your bank account. There are lots of places in Brisbane that serve excellent mains for less than $20. Here’s just a few of them.
Tip: Take the lead, organise dinner yourself or suggest the restaurant so you can choose a budget-friendly place that doesn’t compromise on quality.
Trang
What: Asian fusion (mostly Chinese and Vietnamese)
Where: Hardgrave Rd, West End
Taro’s Ramen
What: Japanese
Where: Brisbane City, Ascot, Stones Corner and South Brisbane
The Vietnamese
What: Vietnamese
Where: Wickham St, Fortitude Valley
El Torito
What: Mexican
Where: Boundary St, West End
Sushi Edo
What: Sushi
Where: Brisbane City, The Barracks, Sunnybank, Newmarket, Kenmore and Garden City
Hungry for more? Check out Brisbane’s best cheap eats for a full list.
Day trips
It’s easy, safe and inexpensive to travel around the greater Brisbane region. If you don’t have the money to join tours of Brisbane’s nearby islands and bays you can still be your own travel agent and plan fun weekend adventures.
Tip: Pack a home-made lunch for the trip and travel off-peak to get the best travel fares.
Gold Coast (Surfers Paradise)
What to do: Sunshine, sand and salty swims – the Gold Coast is a favourite destination for day trips. If you’re tight on cash, a day at the beach is a great plan. You can start saving to visit one of the area’s many theme parks one day.
How to get there: You have two options. Catch the Airport train from Central Station to Nerang, then take bus 740 to Surfers Paradise. Alternatively, get off at Helensvale and take the G-Link tram. It’ll cost about $6 each way, or $4.60 if you travel off peak.
Sunshine Coast (Noosa)
What to do: If you venture north from Brisbane you’ll reach the beaches of the Sunshine Coast. At the very north Noosa is a favourite holiday destination for locals with beautiful beaches and stunning natural parks – you might spot a koala by the ocean!
How to get there: Book a Greyhound bus from Roma St to Noosa Junction Bus Terminal. If you book ahead, a return ticket will set you back about $58. Alternatively, you can take the train and bus – it’s much cheaper, but takes longer.
Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island
What to do: There’s so much to do on Minjerribah/North Stradbroke Island, the world’s second-largest sand island. Here are dozens of ideas to get you started.
How to get there: Catch a train to Cleveland (about $3.30 each way, or less off-peak), and take the Stradbroke Flyer (ferry) to Stradbroke ($15 return). Once you’ve arrived, there is a cheap public bus service.
Within Brisbane
There's so much to discover in the neighbourhoods of Brisbane – and most of it doesn’t have to eat up all your cash. Discover the best of Brisbane’s suburbs on a student budget.
Use the MyTranslink app or journey planner to find the best way to get there by bus, train or ferry.
Tip: Don’t forget to take advantage of Brisbane's free city transport such as the CityHopper ferry and free bus lines.
Brisbane City
What to do: Discover Brisbane’s laneways for free with the Brisbane Greeters, take a picnic to the City Botanic Gardens, go bowling with a student discount, check out the farmers' markets, visit the Museum of Brisbane and City. Discover 50 things to do in Brisbane City.
Paddington
What to do: Check out the vintage op shops, see a movie at the Barracks, eat everything, visit the Stand Up Comedy Club. Discover more with 33 things to do in Paddington.
New Farm
What to do: Play a game of lawn bowls at Merthyr Bowls, hang out at New Farm Park, check out what’s on at the Brisbane Powerhouse. There’s also these things to do in New Farm and beyond.
South Bank
What to do: Swim at Streets Beach, picnic near the Epicurious Garden, have a barbecue, visit QAGOMA, watch a City Sounds performance. Discover more arts and culture in South Bank.
West End
What to do: Eat delicious Greek food, go second-hand shopping, discover cool laneways, see a free gig at the Boundary Hotel, visit the weekend markets. Discover more things to do in West End.
Mt Coot-tha
What to do: Go for a bushwalk, admire the views from the top, look for local fauna, explore the gardens, have a picnic. Discover more things to do in Mt Coot-tha.
