Bribie Island Hotel

It's the island that Brisbanites can drive to — and anyone who grew up in this town of ours has more than a few childhood memories to prove it. We're talking about Bribie Island, of course; however, a trip over the bridge isn't just about taking a swim in Pumicestone Passage. If you'd rather enjoy a few drinks and a meal in a sprawling beer garden, that's now on the menu at Bribie Island Hotel.

The waterside pub has just been given a huge makeover, with Australian Venue Co spending $2.2 million to revamp the venue. Bribie Island Hotel is now home to a hefty outdoor space decked out with grass, white picnic tables and shady umbrellas, as well as a a new-look bistro that's serving up pub classics. So, you can grab a beer, tuck into a chicken schnitzel, play lawn games, sit under a brolly and make the most of island life.

Also big: the hotel's new capacity, which can cater to 400 people both indoors and outside. If you opt for the latter, you'll also be sitting under fairy lights — so planning an evening visit is recommended.

While Executive Chef Dylan Kemp has filled the new menu with trusty favourites such as bruschetta, salt and pepper calamari, steaks, fish and chips, woodfired pizzas, spaghetti bolognese, caesar salad and lasagne, patrons will also find bacon and cheese garlic bread, duck shanks with peking sauce, pork scotch with chorizo butter beans and baked cauliflower salad on offer.

Dessert-wise, warm chocolate brownies with honeycomb and fudge sauce sit alongside the old fave that is sticky date pudding (served here with salted caramel and vanilla ice cream), plus doughnut fries that come covered in cinnamon sugar, honey and crushed pistachios.

Bribie Island Hotel is also hosting regular events, so you can make the trip to listen to live tunes on Fridays and Saturdays, and to play musical bingo and themed trivia.