Since opening in 2012, River City Labs have operated on a simple philosophy: to provide a cutting-edge space for entrepreneurs to collaborate and connect. The emphasis here is tech start-ups, the goal being to provide the ultimate incubator where ideas become reality. No matter if you’re a one-man-show in need of a hot desk to hunker down and get shit done, a collaborative dream team looking to throw some ideas around a boardroom, or an innovator pitching ideas to a lecture hall – RCL has the space for it.

With five locations across Brisbane and the Gold Coast, Little Tokyo Two is one of the fastest growing co-working spaces Brisbane has to offer. The membership-based community provides everything from day passes, to dedicated desks, to long-term office space and boasts an impressive success rate – these collaborative workspaces helped launch over 600 business.  If you’re thinking of planting more permanent roots, LT2 offers some kick-ass benefits including discounted tax and legal services, staff dedicated to connecting you to specialists who will help grow your business and the brain-power of a vast network of like-minded people.

The Coterie is the co-working space provided by QUT’s Creative Enterprise initiative where creative professionals can collaborate and those rolling solo can plug into a more private corner to get some serious work done. Current members include individuals and companies working in the screen, music, media, design and fashion industries, as well as students and other creative freelancers. Located on the university campus and a stone’s throw away from Roma St station, The Coterie offers flexible membership options that suit a range of needs.

If the office-in-a-warehouse trend has you nonplussed, a tour through Lightspace in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley may convince you of its merits. The co-working space occupies the second level of a former printer’s warehouse – a somewhat ironic sign of changing times; once printing newspapers, now a stronghold of digital ingenuity – while a dedicated event space resides on the ground floor. Unlike some of the other more casual co-working spaces Brisbane has to offer, the options at Lightspace suit towards long-term endeavours; you can sign up for a desk or a studio on a month-by-month basis.

Hub Anzac Square is a premium co-working space for Brisbane corporates looking to enjoy the finer things. The first-class hospitality and amenities come complete with café and rooftop event spaces, exercise studio, serviced meeting rooms, showers, towel service and lockers. Members also get access to a media studio with podcasting and photography equipment to upskill and grow their business.

“Since opening in 2011, Salt Space have welcomed new and established businesses, freelancers, remote workers and creatives from all disciplines into their co-working space in the heart of New Farm. This family owned and managed business offers a friendly and comfortable place to create and work.  They offer desks by the day, week or month with 24/7 access available to members, with no lease required.  Private studios are also available with a six month lease.  This Brisbane co-working space has plenty of quiet corners to get some work done, yet it’s open enough to network with the diverse range of professionals who co-work and collaborate there.”

One of Brisbane’s original co-working spaces, Though Fort has fostered the growth of a dynamic and diverse community of thinkers, artists and entrepreneurs. There’s much more to this Brisbane co-working space than the air conditioning and the whip-fast Wi-Fi – collaboration is encouraged, and the friendly and synergetic vibe creates an excellent environment in which to bounce some ideas around. Night owls take note: Thought Fort is accessible 24/7 for weekly and monthly co-workers.

This Brisbane co-working space is one of three iterations of Fishburners (you can also find them in Sydney and Shanghai), a space dedicated to building the tech startups of the future. Competition for desk space is tight at Fishburners; the community is exclusive to scalable, high-impact tech startups. However, once you’re in, you’ll be surrounded and supported by a highly-collaborative collective of industry leaders and innovators dedicated to building companies that change the game.

With a rapidly expanding global network, Regus is one of the largest providers of flexible workspaces in the world and throws in a little globalisation to the Brisbane co-working space melting pot. They have nine co-working locations throughout the city, and their offerings vary from a first come first serve hot desk by the hour to a permanent spot to set up shop. Corporate types will benefit from all the trimmings of traditional office spaces.