Daily Detours for the Week of July 3

It’s not an exaggeration to say that there’s no pool in Brisbane quite like the Spring Hill Baths — and if you’re going to take a mid-winter dip, there’s really no better spot. The heritage-listed venue dates back to 1886, making it quite the institution. It was the city’s first in-ground pool, and has remained a splash-about mainstay ever since. Opening at 6.30am every weekday, it’s also the kind of place that you’ll be happy to jump out of bed for when it’s cold outside (or, as cold as Brisbane gets). Within its sturdy walls, the water is warm, the grandstand seating oozes charm and the day is calm. Happy swimming.

Image: Brisbane City Council.

The iconic Brisbane Powerhouse is playing host to an even more iconic exhibition — the annual, globally-touring World Press Photo. The exhibition space holds over 150 images painstakingly selected from 80,408 submissions by 5034 press photographers, photojournalists and documentary photographers from 126 countries. That’s a lot of photos.

Today, head to the Brisbane art institution and see what took out first prize in the contest’s 60th year. Of course, the winner will be on display too — Burhan Ozbilici’s chilling An Assassination in Turkey, which captured Mevlüt Mert Altıntaş mere moments after shooting the Russian ambassador to Turkey in an Ankara art gallery. Lighter fare includes The New York Times’ Tomas Munita’s photo, Cuba on the Edge of Change, which won first prize in the Daily Life: Stories category. The image depicts a barbershop — barbershop photography is quite the trend this month — in Cuba’s Old Havana, taken shortly after the death of Fidel Castro.

Brisbane is burger crazy. We’re a meat between bread kind of folks — and veggies between rolls, too — and we’re proud of it. Before every corner boasted what’s become one of the city’s dietary staples, though, someone had to lead the way. Meet Ohio Café, the place that literally brought the burg to Brissie. You can’t get any more iconic than that. In fact, Ohio even pre-dates the golden arches in Australia. Mosey over to Clayfield for one of seven types of burgers, spanning ham, steak, chicken, chicken with bacon, bacon, fish, lamb and veg, or order delivery if you live in the area — although, part of the fun of eating somewhere with so much history is actually visiting, nestling into the booths and kicking back old-school style.

There are two types of people in Brisbane: those who love Archives Fine Books, and those who haven’t been there yet, even though it has been a Brisbane institution since 1985. Regardless of what you like to read, and how often, perusing the Charlotte Street shop’s shelves is like hunting for — and finding — treasure. Yes, that old book smell will hit you the moment you walk in. And yes, there are more bookshelves — and books, too — than you’ve probably ever seen in one place. They claim to have more than a million printed tomes, and it certainly looks like it. From ’80s cookbooks to tie-in novels for movies you never even knew existed, plus everything in between, you’ll find it here.

We can’t all jump on a plane to Germany whenever the urge for a traditional roast pork knuckle with fried potatoes and sauerkraut hits, but we can all do the next best thing. Dating back to 1883 and moving from Stanley to Melbourne to Vulture Streets during its history, the Brisbane German Club will make you feel like Deutschland has come to Woolloongabba. Start off with a pretzel (obviously) then eat the meal that everyone rushes in for. Let’s not forget the one-man-band that is DJ Andrew. If you haven’t experienced his style of entertainment at this classic haunt, you don’t know what you’re in for.

No big deal, but just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane is where you’ll find the most extensive area of subtropical rainforest in the world. Okay, actually it’s a huge deal. Springbrook National Park is just part of the massive Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, which extends down to Newcastle, and you’ll want to spend at least a day there. To be honest, you’ll want to spend an entire day at the stunning Natural Bridge alone, where you’ll find a rock arch and waterfall over a creek that’s unlike anything you’ve ever seen before. We could keep listing Springbrook’s epic natural features, such as waterfalls, lookouts, swimming spots and walking trails, but that’s the thing about National Parks, they just have so many. If Parks and Recreation’s Leslie Knope was to visit, she’d fall in love instantly. Just remember to bring a hamper full of goodies for mid-hike snacking. Four of the park’s picnic areas have barbecues, too.

Image: Jason Clark / Flickr.

When you eat the ocean’s finest, you really do want to look at the ocean. As great as your local fish ‘n’ chippery no doubt is, suburban greasy spoons can’t offer that. Morgan’s Seafood can, and has for 31 years. While you’re eating fish, prawns, oysters and more fresh from the trawler, expect views of Moreton Bay — and the Glasshouse Mountains if one scenic sight isn’t enough. While grabbing takeaway is an option every night of the week if you’re a Scarborough local or find yourself in the area often, between 1pm and 5pm on Sunday afternoon is the best time to plan a long stay. That’s when this northside favourite serves up platters of hot and cold food made for two, and cranks up the live music. Once you’re done, stop by the on-site seafood market, pick from 180 products and go home with dinner for another day.

Personalise your next adventure via The Playmaker, driven by Mazda3.

By Sarah Ward and Lucy McNabb.