US aircraft carrier to dock in Brisbane

A nuclear-powered aircraft carrier with all the makings of a floating town is about to arrive in Brisbane.

The USS George Washington and the 5500-plus crew members on board are set to dock at the city's port just before midday on Friday.

The enormous carrier is coming to town for July's biennial war games, Exercise Talisman Sabre.

The games will involve about 33,000 US and Australian personnel in operations near Darwin and Rockhampton and maritime areas of the Coral Sea.

It's the sixth time the games have been held, with next month's event to focus on joint training of US and Australian forces.

With a top speed of about 56 km/h, the high-tech vessel is also fitted out with all the features of a small town, including a general store, library and hairdresser.

Meanwhile, the kitchen doles out about 18,000 meals a day.