Your Guide to Getting Through the G20 in Brisbane

G20 this, G20 that. One minute you’re not allowed to leave your house or carry eggs; the next, it’s a free for all. Finding out the truth is the hard part, but one thing is for certain — you won’t be getting near the Convention Centre. Chances are you’re not a world leader or finance minister (if you are, and you’re reading this: get in touch and let’s do lunch), and so you should treat the big weekend like any other.

The G20 is an event not for you being held in your city. While the weekend itself will likely be an inconvenience to your life, there have been a few sweeteners thrown on the table. Below, we’re talking about the next few weeks of free activities, G20 events, non-G20 events and bonus days. Cheers to ignoring the G20 and milking it for good stuff.

The lead-up

G20 Cultural Celebrations

Besides ‘bonus public holiday’, the word free is a winner in our books. The State Government is hosting a three-week festival of totally free cultural events in the lead up to the G20 weekend. And while you think 'government' plus 'free' must equal 'lame', you’re wrong. The lineup includes gigs with Emma Louise, The Good Ship and Busby Marou, a Latin festival, a music festival with powder-colours featuring Dubmarine, and a Sampology pool party. On top of that there is a free Queensland Ballet performance, City Hall will be lit up as an interactive light organ and more than 100 dancers will take to the streets each night. I think we should say it again — free.

Global Flavours

To prove that Brisbane City is open for business, CBD restaurants are out in force with a bunch of dining deals for the month of November. Much like Brisbane Festival’s Festival Flavours offers, only better. You can enjoy lunch, dinner, tapas and degustations at some fine establishments. Enjoy farm-to-table dining at Customs House, dig into five course at Urbane or join the steak club at Kingsley’s.

The actual G20 Weekend

Friday Holiday

Ahh, ain’t nothin’ sweeter than a bonus public holiday. If you’re staying in Brisbane, getting around may be a pain, but hey, we survived the 2011 floods too. Queen Street Mall will be open, and our guess is that there will be weekend specials to entice you. CBD car parks will still be open, and trains to Central or the CityCat will be operational.

Everyone knows journalists love to drink, and Brisbane bars will be making the most of the extra 3000 media in town across the long weekend. Head on out, and who knows, you might even learn something.

Stay in Brisbane

While there will be interruptions to some regular weekend programming, Brisbane still has a fair score of stuff going on. The British Film Festival is in town, dance performance Flaunt is at the Powerhouse, I Can Keep a Secret is at the Judy, and the Eat Street Markets will be running not just Friday and Saturday nights but Thursday night too.

Skip town

The other, arguably more popular, option for locals is to get out. The Gold and Sunshine coasts are calling. On the public holiday Friday, South Stradbroke Island will be playing host to a music festival, Stranded. Tickets are just $59 including boat transfer, and it is headlined by The Kite String Triangle. Sun, sand, good vibes, great music. Welcome to paradise.

If the thought of sand makes you squeamish, the Scenic Rim is running a Guided Summit Program across the weekend. Even wanted to go from the bottom of a mountain to the top? No time like the present.

For the foodies, head to the Noosa Junction Food & Wine Street Festival on the Saturday. Expect tasty dishes, wine tastings, waiter races and more.

Hit the ‘burbs

If escaping to the coasts is not possible, outer Brisbane has a surprisingly fruitful offer on the cards that weekend. There’s a Jousting Spectacular at Caboolture. We know, Caboolture. But, um, jousting! Who secretly hasn’t always wanted to see knights battle it out in the flesh. Don’t just dream it, live your Camelot/Game of Thrones fantasy.

Bluejuice and The Beautiful Girls will be headlining a new boutique one-day festival, Drop in Festival, at Redland Bay Hotel. Also on the bill is Ash Grunwald, The Cairos, Karl S Williams and Neighbour.