How can I find cheap flights to Brisbane?

For the cheapest Brisbane flights, travel in Australia's winter (UK summer). Brisbane is sub-tropical, and temperatures rarely dip below 20C, so you'll still get plenty of warmth. Prices are higher in the hot months of December and January, but these also bring humidity and thunderstorms, so you might well find the Australian autumn or winter more comfortable.

As ever, booking long-haul flights well in advance often means a better price, and you can also help to bring down your ticket price by considering your routes carefully. At least one stopover is inevitable; but where you stop, how often and how long for will have an impact on cost. EVA Air, Singapore Airlines, Emirates, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Etihad Airways operate one-stop routes from London Heathrow, but you may be able to save by using different airlines for each leg of your trip.

How long do flights to Brisbane take?

If you’re flying from London Heathrow, a flight to Brisbane with one short stopover will take a minimum of around than 21 hours. In most cases, the journey will take up to an hour more than this, but of course the length will come down to the duration and location of your stopover. Likely stopover points include Hong Kong, Singapore, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, varying depending on which airline you fly with.

Is it worth stopping over on your way to Brisbane?

You will have to stop over on your way to Brisbane if you’re flying from the UK, although you will have some choice as to the destination you’ll stop in.

Popular stopover locations for Brisbane include:

• Hong Kong: Fly with Cathay Pacific and you’ll stop in Hong Kong. This route means your first flight will be around 11 hours 50 minutes, and your second 8 hours 35 minutes. It's worth breaking your journey with a couple of nights in a hotel in this bustling city, where bright lights, soaring skyscrapers and delicious street food await.

• Dubai: Emirates flights will stop in Dubai. In this case, you’ll have a 7 hour flight followed by a flight of 13 hours 50 minutes. Again, Dubai makes a great place for a quick holiday-within-a-holiday – especially if you’re looking to get some shopping done.

Making the most of your time in Brisbane

Whether you’re drawn to Brisbane’s local culture or are just looking for a base from which to explore the Queensland coast, you’ll find there is plenty to do here. There are no beaches in the heart of the city, but you can get to some beautiful coastline pretty quickly – try Raby Bay Foreshore Park, or the lovely Ocean Beach on Bribie Island. The latter is good for surfing too. Because the local beaches are scattered around the city, it helps to have a hire car available; it'll also come in handy if you decide to head down to Gold Coast, or up to Sunshine Coast and Noosa.

In Brisbane itself, there’s more to do than just hitting the beach. Take in beautiful architectural sights such as St. John’s Cathedral and the dramatic Story Bridge, and indulge in some culture at the Museum of Brisbane and the Gallery of Modern Art. Take a look at our Brisbane holidays page for more ideas and to search flight and hotel package deals.