Sub-tropical Brisbane - Queensland's biggest city - has excellent year-round weather, a busy and bustling city centre and lively nightlife. It is also a great base for exploring the numerous nearby attractions, which include glorious beaches, island parks, wine regions, mountains, lakes and forests. While public transport is good, hiring a car in Brisbane makes sightseeing a breeze. Compare car-rental rates on TravelSupermarket and you’ll probably find it costs less than you think too. What’s more, driving is on the left in Australia, so you’ll feel right at home behind the wheel!

Car rental in Brisbane allows you to take in the length and breadth of this great city, including the South Bank parklands, which offer a vast array of shops, cafes, a manmade beach and the famous Wheel of Brisbane. South Bank is a great area for hanging out by day. But as the night draws in, many head to the West End or to Fortitude Valley, both very lively and with plenty of entertainment on offer. The CBD or Central Business District houses the Gallery of Modern Art, the Town Hall and more shopping.

Pre-book car hire and arrange to collect your vehicle from either Brisbane Airport (BNE) or from a downtown location. Touch down, get through arrivals and you’ll find the car-rental desks. With car hire, Brisbane Airport is just 15 minutes away from central destinations – and the hotel bed you’re probably dreaming of after a long flight! And with taxis costing upwards of 45 Australian dollars (just over £20) and car-hire rates starting from less than a tenner a day, renting a vehicle is a smart investment.

You'll find a huge range of places to explore within a short drive of the city; hiring a vehicle is really the only practical way to see them all.

Top picks include the two major coastal areas of the Sunshine Coast and the Gold Coast.

The Sunshine Coast, to the north of Brisbane, runs from Noosa to Caloundra and is known for its pristine beaches, nature reserves, low-key development, excellent water sports and farmers' markets. You can also visit Australia Zoo, made famous by Steve Irwin and packed with native animals such as crocodiles, kangaroos and koalas. It takes just over an hour to reach the Sunshine Coast from Brisbane.

The Gold Coast, an hour south of Brisbane, is a full-on developed resort area, packed with hotels, places to eat and drink, shopping and year-round events. It’s one of the best surf spots in Australia and home to many family attractions, such as Wet'n'Wild, Sea World, Movie World and Dreamworld.

Other great areas to explore by car include Lamington National Park (a 90-minute drive from Brisbane), where waterfalls and rainforest trails make walking a real treat, and the magnificent Scenic Rim region, which offers further escapades in the rainforest and mountain wilderness that dominates this part of Australia.

Search for cheap car hire in Brisbane now and Travel Super.