There is only one hotel close to the airport -
Formule One Hotel and it's next to a roundabout near Airport Drive - click on "Location Map" on lnk above. There is nothing to see and do and not easy to access public transport to anywhere (as it is a light industrial area).
There are plenty of 2 and 3 star motels (Flag branded etc) within the suburbs close to the airport...you may be able to access Brisbane City Council buses (as well as taxi's).
Don't forget the airport is only 13kms (8 miles) from the City Centre and easily accessible by train (AUD$11 per person) or taxi (approx AUD$25) from the Airport - similar set up to AirTrain at JFK (where you walk across parking lot to access AirTrain) and it's 8 or 9 stops into town on an airconditioned electric train.
There are plenty of good hotels in BNE close to transport (ie. Sheraton is atop Central Station)....anyway, enough as an entree...give us more of an idea as to $$$ value you are prepared to go to.
As it sounds like you have QF25 outbound (11.55am) and we don't have as vigorous security checks as in USA, allow 90 mins for check-in, customs/immigration and security clearance.
(edited to fix UBB)
[This message has been edited by QF WP (edited Feb 08, 2004).]