Daily Detours for the Week of November 20

Think Brisbane’s eastside boasts the only beachside walking spot? Think again. Anything Wynnum and Manly can do, Shorncliffe and Sandgate can do too, including offering up a scenic saunter along the foreshore with a peaceful vibe and one heck of a view. Not only will you meander along an 8.5 kilometre return trip — or part of it if you’re not feeling like a lengthy workout — but you’ll immerse yourself in the area’s history. Indeed, if you haven’t strolled the 350 metres along the Shorncliffe Pier, then you haven’t really been to the north side of the city.

Back in the ’80s, Bruce Springsteen was onto something — and so was Courtney Cox. As immortalised in one memorable music video, the boss and the Friends star know the joys of dancing in the dark. So does No Lights No Lycra, Brisbane’s weekly evening dedicated to getting your groove on without glaring brightness, staring revellers or shiny outfits. For $6 in pocket change, it’s an open, accessible, friendly and non-judging space to make shapes and make your worries go away. Go along once, and we’re betting you’ll end up with a regular Tuesday night fixture in your diary.

For a mid-week date night that’s filled with deliciousness, a casual catch-up with your crew that’s as tasty as it is enjoyable, or a solo stint of treating yo’self, Hamilton has the ultimate one-two combination. Kick things off at one end of Racecourse Road by digging into one of Taro’s Ramen‘s finest bowls — but make sure you leave room for dessert. To get your sweet fix, wander on down to Milany Gelato and pick from one of more than 40 flavours. If the gelateria is serving up its Kinder Surprise ice cream, make sure that’s one of them.

If there’s one thing that’s more soothing than staring at a transparent bowl filled with greenery, it’s making your own mini garden. Yes, it’s terrarium time, and you don’t just want to pop one on your desk at work or your coffee table — you want to place every piece of rock and plant-life inside that terrarium yourself. That’s where Work-Shop’s Tropical Terrarium session comes in, under the guidance of experienced hands Bella and Keylan from Botanicals by Bella. As long as you bring along a clear, sizeable glass container, they’ll teach you the tricks of the trade, give you everything else you need and help you pick up a soothing new hobby.

Enjoy a European cheese experience without leaving Brisbane at Milton’s French-inspired fromagerie. Located just near the Eiffel Tower replica on Park Road, Fromage [the Cow] do it all from breakfast through to dinner — and with a pretty stellar coffee offering and a deli counter full of cheeses to choose from, you may well find it hard to leave. Of course, you can’t go past the fondue neuchatel and it’s feast of gooey goodness. A cob loaf is filled with gruyere, provolone and parmesan, plus a white wine sauce, and you get breads and crudités to dip into its molten depths. Share it with a mate to halve the cheese guilt.

Christmas markets are always excellent for those of us who tend to leave gift purchasing until the last minute — and, thankfully, Etsy is setting up their markets all over Australia in the final weekend of November. Etsy Made Local is a grassroots initiative that celebrates crafters, collectors and artisans in local communities, and provides them with the opportunity to sell their creations both online and in a physical space. So whether you’re on the hunt for handmade wares or vintage goods, these guys have got you covered. The markets will be held in Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Canberra. Because each market focuses on the best local talent, each market will be filled with different stallholders and unique creations. Supporting creative small businesses and scoring a killer Christmas gift is a win for everyone involved, so head to City Hall on Saturday, November 28 and get your festive shopping done early, for once.

Once the weather gets warmer, things get weirder at Brisbane Powerhouse. It’s all in the name of art, comedy, theatre, circus, music, burlesque and other kinds of creative, performative fun, of course. In fact, it’s all in the name of turning the iconic venue into Wonderland.

Not just a wonderland, the Wonderland — the Powerhouse’s annual end-of-year shindig, which runs from November 23 to December 3. If you look hard enough, you might just spy a white rabbit, a mad hatter and a girl called Alice. And, even if you don’t, you’ll find 20 shows over 12 nights, which is more than enough to make you look on in wonder.

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