The Ten Best Things to Do Over the Anzac Long Weekend in Brisbane

If you’re thinking about taking a journey this long weekend, you’re not alone. Not all voyages involve hopping on a form of transport and heading out of the city, though.

Just ask Australian artists Juz Kitson, Fiona Lowry, William Mackinnon and Guy Maestri, who ponder the concept of road trips in their latest group exhibition. Their pieces will not only take you along for a ride — they’ll leave you thinking about the process of viewing the world through a car window, and just why we all get so excited about the experience.

Image: William Mackinnon When I drive I get these ideas 2015, oil on linen, 150.0 x 122.0 cm.

When Dorothy Gale was whisked somewhere over the rainbow, she learned just how much she loved her life and her home. In Motherland, Queensland Theatre Company plays with the same themes — but without wicked witches, cowardly lions or flying monkeys.

Instead, the Katherine Lyall-Watson-written play intertwines the tales of three women in three different times and places, with their yearning for their homelands their uniting factor. Drawn from real life, the historical drama jumps from Russia to France to Brisbane in search of the one thing we all want, even if we don’t know it: a place to belong.

Five artists. Three venues. One citywide exhibition that both contemplates history and makes it. That’s Resonance in a nutshell, a creative showcase that aims to both reflect and build upon Australia’s cultural heritage.

Boasting the work of Sara Irannejad, Natasha Lewis Honeyman, Mandana Mapar, Sally Molloy and Camille Serisier, and spanning Old Government House, Newstead House and Miegunyah House Museum, it’s safe to say that this isn’t your usual curated collection. As the featured creatives respond to times gone by, not only will you trawl through past treasures given a new lease on life, but you’ll see Brisbane’s historical spaces with fresh eyes.

Food is glorious for a whole heap of reasons. It’s tasty and it provides much-needed sustenance, for starters — and nothing brings people together like a good meal.

That’s the principle behind A Taste of Belonging, the latest event in the State Library of Queensland’s Belonging series. On April 22, sitting down for a three-course dinner becomes a meaningful culinary experience, complete with an eclectic mix of Sri Lankan, Iranian, Chinese and Venezuelan cuisines, and insights into the history and culture behind each dish. Plus, the entire mouthwatering feast will be whipped up by Wandering Cooks and Alphabet Cafe based on recipes shared by the Romero Centre’s migrant communities.

There’s nothing like a national holiday commemorating the country’s past to get everyone thinking about times gone by. The Brightside are getting into the historic holiday spirit, of course, but they’re only jumping back a couple of decades. Yep, they’re stepping back to the ’90s.

If you’ve been to one of their parties before, you know the drill: We Are Servants and That ’90s Show will be cranking out all the covers your ears can handle, a host of cocktail offerings will be keeping up the ’90s theme, and getting dressed up is encouraged and then some. And if this is your first Brighty shindig, you’re in for a treat. Our tip: BYO parachute pants.

Stones Corner and shopping go hand in hand; however come April 24, shopaholics will have an extra reason to head to the area. Yep, it’s market time again, complete with all the arts, crafts, homewares and food stalls you can dream of. Plus, a very special occasion is on the agenda.

ANZAC Day might be the main thing on everyone’s minds this weekend, but another event is just around the corner. If you’re fond of the lovely lady who brought you into this world, then you’ll want to get browsing and buying at the Stones Corner Mother’s Day Street Market. Nothing says ‘I love you mum’ like grabbing a gift early.

Feel like treating yo’self this long weekend? Of course you do. How about a trip to the Gold Coast for an afternoon of basking in the sunshine and sipping delicious beverages that’ll keep you buzzing well into the evening?

That’s what’s on offer at Sunset Affair Gold Coast — aka the annual event’s first trip to the QT Hotel’s Stingray Lounge. Wear your best summery cocktail outfit and prepare to make a day of devouring delicious drinks and canapés. Live acoustic music will help get you in the mood, food stands will keep your stomach satisfied, and everyone from animal handlers to magicians to champagne pourers on stilts will make the occasion one to remember.

Feel like treating yo’self this long weekend? Of course you do. How about a trip to the Gold Coast for an afternoon of basking in the sunshine and sipping delicious beverages that’ll keep you buzzing well into the evening?

That’s what’s on offer at Sunset Affair Gold Coast — aka the annual event’s first trip to the QT Hotel’s Stingray Lounge. Wear your best summery cocktail outfit and prepare to make a day of devouring delicious drinks and canapés. Live acoustic music will help get you in the mood, food stands will keep your stomach satisfied, and everyone from animal handlers to magicians to champagne pourers on stilts will make the occasion one to remember.

There ain’t no party like a public holiday eve block party, and The Elephant knows it. For the last year or so, the Wickham Street pub has made celebratory shindigs their new go-to gatherings — and everyone has been flocking to them, of course.

They’re throwing a big bash on ANZAC Day eve on April 24, complete with the usual chilled vibe, cold beverages and beer garden hangouts. Add a rocking music lineup of Philadelphia Grand Jury, The Pierce Brosnans, Columbia Buffet, Beneb, FeelsClub and Bugs providing the live tunes, and that’s your lazy, long weekend Sunday well and truly covered.

Sometimes, you just want to watch a couple of coins get tossed into the air, and then try to guess which way they’ll land. Come ANZAC Day, if that’s you, The Shaftson has your day planned.

After wowing the city with their Tinnies and Two-Up combo last year, the East Brissie pub is giving their appropriately themed laneway party another spin. Expect food trucks, free-flowing beer and many a person throwing money about. Sure, that might sound like a normal Shaftston get-together — but this time, when you’re splashing cash around for a one-day-a-year tradition, you’ll be channeling the ANZAC spirit.