Daily Detours to Help You Get Out and About

Give your Monday blues the boot with a dose of razzmatazz at the Queensland Ballet — and we don’t mean watching Swan Lake while sipping champagne (though that isn’t without its merits). We’re talking about getting your body moving. Ham it up with a Broadway jazz class, get your swing on with a lesson in jazz dance or find your groove in a contemporary session. The school offers casual classes, so you’re welcome to pick and mix as you see fit. Whichever style you choose, you’ll be under the guidance of a cracking dancer and choreographer, be it award-winning Nerida Matthaei, or another dexterous member of the Queensland Ballet Company.

We’ve all seen it rotating lazily, shining brightly and reflecting in the slow-flowing Brisbane River. Yes, we are talking about the Wheel of Brisbane, and if you’ve always thought that you should take a ride at some point in your lifetime, then we reckon there’s no time like the now. Even if the giant Ferris wheel hasn’t crossed your mind, we still think you should go for a ride because sometimes playing tourist in your own city can be pretty darn fun. This almost 60-metre tall wheel gives you a pretty spectacular view over the city and beyond, and let’s face it, it would make for a pretty delightful date night. After your ride, treat your date (and yourself, of course) to the creative and highly delicious ice cream flavours at the newly-opened (and nearby) Gelato Messina.

Image: Anwyn Howarth.

Secure your caffeine fix at popular Grey Street hole-in-the-wall cafe Espresso Garage, then hit the pavement to walk the Art and the River Public Art Trail. This short 2.4-kilometre walk winds its way from South Bank to Kangaroo Point and showcases a range of artworks that incorporate the river’s energy, beauty and sense of place. If biking is more your thing, go for a meandering ride on one of the Brisbane Lipton bikes.

Image: Anwyn Howarth.

The Story Bridge is a Brisbane icon, an icon you can climb. Even if you haven’t spent much time driving or running across it, you’d still be used to the sight of people in daggy grey and blue jumpsuits marching up and down the length of it. So, we reckon that this Thursday you should throw all inhibitions and fashion cares to the wind, and add ‘bridge climber’ to your CV. Sign up for a Twilight Climb to see some pretty spectacular sites as traffic whizzes by below. It’s time to get over that fear of heights because there’s not much else that is as Brisbane as the Story Bridge climb. Book in and see the city from a truly unique perspective.

Sometimes, you just want to jump up, jump up and get down. Or jump jump in general when things are wiggity, wiggity, wiggity wack. Tingalpa’s BOUNCE Trampoline Park is the place where you can make that happen. Actually, you’ll be able to go ahead and jump (’80s musicians were in the know, too) in more ways than you probably think. Free jump over 50 interconnected trampolines — which includes tumble tracks — and then literally bounce up the wall. Or, put a spring in your basketball step while you jump to slam dunk, test out your air sports moves on the soft big bag, play trampoline dodgeball and take to the X-Park Adventure Challenge Course. Yes, that’s a real thing.

Since day one in 1941, bad times at the Merthyr Bowls Club have never existed. You’ll have a crackerjack of a day no matter what — whether you’re taking to the green overlooking the river, sitting on the front deck admiring the view, or enjoying a meaty (or vego) barbecue. Good times are guaranteed. Brisbane might have plenty of places for a leisurely bowl, but Merthyr has remained a favourite for over 75 years. Here, it’s all location, location, location with that view, that breeze and those post-game wanders through New Farm Park. Plus, even if you don’t feel like getting barefoot and bowling up a storm, the chill vibes and tasty barbecue make Merthyr a perfect hangout. On Saturdays, expect to keep the good times rolling until midnight.

Plus, nearby Norman Park Bowls runs night sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights in summer. Just book ahead.

In this fast-paced urban jungle we call home, sometimes you just need to venture into the great outdoors to clear your head and remember how beautiful life can be. We recommend driving out to one of the most genuinely beautiful spots in south-east Queensland, Tamborine National Park. Leave your comfort zone on the rocks as you plunge into rainforest rock pools, then saddle up and go for a horse ride. The notion of city living will be long gone. There are walks and treks galore, and some of the most amazing scenery you’ll see this close to Brisbane. Make the most of your Sunday, and hit the road out for Mt Tamborine. Why not even take the Monday off and turn it into your very own long weekend? Stay as budget as you like with campsites aplenty, or go luxe with a room at Cedar Creek Lodges.

Image: Steve Garner / Flickr.

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