The Summer Guide to Brisbane 2016/17
Slap on your invisible zinc and get out there, blue skies wait for no one.
Well folks, it's that time of year again, when the rising mercury sends us outdoors en masse, pumping our concrete playground with an energy of revelry and renewal.
The spirit of summer is a celebration of what it means to be alive. We rediscover our joie de vivre with sandy toes, burnished skin, barbecues by the water, and one too many frosés.
But with so much going on at this time of year it's hard to know where to begin, and what is supposed to be some well-deserved chill time can become a full-blown panic attack. So, what do you do when overwhelmed with options?
Welcome to the Concrete Playground Summer Guide, a shortlist of the best this city has to offer over the next three months, from rooftop bars to beaches to picnic spots to outdoor dining and much more. You'll never be without access to the best of everything, because the year's too long and summer's too short to waste time on the mediocre.
Now slap on your invisible zinc and get out there, blue skies wait for no one. Summer, we salute you.
Summer eats and drinks
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NewsThe Ten Best Australian Craft Beers of 2016
Negroni IPAs, hibiscus sours and barrel-aged doppelbocks. Try 'em all.
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NewsAustralia's Best Locally-Made Icy Poles to Cool Down with this Summer
Sunny Boys, move to the back. These local pops, blocks and poles do summer right.
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GuideThe Best Waterside Bars in Brisbane
Summer calls for spritzes by the beach and a few cold ones on the banks of the Brisbane River.
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GuideTen of the Best Burger Joints in Brisbane
Because if it's one thing this city has, it's burgers.
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NewsThe Eight Best Healthy Breakfasts in Brisbane
Because not every breakfast can be covered in hollandaise.
Outdoor adventures
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NewsThe Four Parks in Brisbane Where You Can BYO Drinks
Grab an esky, pack a picnic basket and go soak up the sun in these BYO-friendly Brisbane parks.
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NewsThe Five Best Waterfalls Near Brisbane That You Can Swim Under
Don't stick to the rivers and lakes that you're used to — go swim under some waterfalls just a short drive from Brisbane's city centre.
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NewsThe Ten Best Walks in and Around Brisbane
Wander along the river, climb a mountain, amble through bushland and trek over a bridge — all just a stone's throw from the CBD — at these walking and running tracks in Brisbane.
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NewsThe Ten Best Spots for Whale Watching on the NSW Coast
Grab your binoculars, some snacks and a little bit of patience and head to these prime whale spotting locations.
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NewsThe Most Unusual Swimming Holes to Try Around Brisbane
Don't stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to.
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NewsFive Unexpected Brisbane Activities to Do with Your Best Mates
Do something different this weekend.
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NewsThe Ten Most Incredibly Designed Public Swimming Pools in the World
Dip a toe into the pool of amazing aesthetics.
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NewsThe Ten Best Places to See Wildlife in Australia
Go forth and make friends with adorable animals.
Beach needs
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NewsSix Great Beach Umbrellas for Your Shady Picnic Set-Up
Protect yourself from those UV rays with these collapsible canopies.
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NewsThis Pristine Blue Paradise Has Been Named Australia's Best Beach for 2018
This far north Queensland island beach has topped a list of 11,761.
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NewsEight Summer Eskies That Take Beverage Cooling More Seriously Than Most
Don't settle for warm beer.
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NewsConcrete Playground's 2016/17 Summer Reading List
Ten books to get stuck into by the pool, the beach or on the couch with an Icy Pole in hand.
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NewsThe Ten Best Designer Beach Towels for Summer Lounging Sessions
Time to throw out your ratty bath towel.
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NewsTen Modern Beach Chairs for People Who Don't Have Time for Sand
From design-chic teak to the all-time classic banana lounge, there’s a beach chair to suit every style.
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NewsThis Pristine Blue Paradise Has Been Named Australia's Best Beach
Where is it, you ask? Good question.
Backyard shenanigans
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NewsLaneway Festival Is Throwing a Big Hottest 100 Backyard Party
Look, they'll probably have better speakers than your mates' house.
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NewsHow to Make Beetroot-Cured Kingfish With a Former Tetsuya's Chef
A former Tetsuya's chef shows us what to do.
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NewsHow to Make Big Poppa's Next-Level Pasta from Scratch
Try the steak tagliata and semifreddo dessert too.
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NewsGive Your Party a Killer Theme with Help From Luke Lucas of Lifelounge
Take your afternoon party to the next level with help from an accomplished creative director.
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NewsCraft Some Killer Backyard Decorations with Paper Artist Benja Harney
A burger pinata, some sandwich bag bunting and a lantern made of streamers. This summer, paper your backyard.
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Air-conditioned adventures
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NewsTen New Australian Films You Need to See In 2017
A Muslim rom-com, Martin Freeman braving the apocalypse, and Dev Patel in everything always.
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NewsTen Sustainable Hacks For Keeping Cool Without Air Conditioning This Summer
Fill up the ice bucket, buy a spray bottle and put your sheets in the freezer.
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NewsTen Films You Need to See in 2017
Long-awaited Blade Runner and Trainspotting reboots, Sofia Coppola's newbie and Greta Gerwig's solo directorial debut.
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NewsConcrete Playground's Top Ten Movies of 2016
From moody South Korean thrillers to whimsical Hollywood musicals, these are our favourite films of the year.
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EventRogue One: A Star Wars Story
The first in a long list of upcoming Star Wars spinoffs is packed with nostalgia and explosive action.
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Out-of-town getaways
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NewsThe Ten Best Beach Camping Spots in Australia
Wake up to the sound of waves at these incredible beachside campsites across Australia.
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NewsThe Eight Best Places to Go Glamping in Victoria
All these luxury Victorian glamping experiences are under two hours away from the Melbourne CBD — so you can easily have your weekend wilderness adventure and goose-feather down quilt, too.
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NewsHow to Road Trip the Coral Coast in Seven Days
Take a scenic drive to see dolphins, sharks, reefs, beaches and one of Australia's most famous rock formations.
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NewsA Road Tripper's Guide to Central West NSW from Bathurst to Parkes
One trip, three stops and many local produce feasts are in order at beautifully repurposed historic buildings.
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NewsEight Australian Yoga Retreats to Help You Achieve Your Most Flexible Zen
Practise your back bends in Byron and your downward dog in the Daintree.
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NewsTen Must-Visit Places Worth Travelling Overseas for in 2017
Check for cheap flights and lock in a date.
Summer events
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NewsThe Ten Best Unconventional Dates in Brisbane
Don't just 'grab a drink'. Be adventurous on your next date night out in Brisbane.
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EventBrisAsia Festival 2018
Feast on dumplings from around the world, dance in cosplay to DJs or watch studio Ghibli on a rooftop.
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EventAustralia Day Seafood Festival
The only event where you'll hear actual Australians come slightly close to saying something even similar to "shrimp on the barbie".
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EventThe Foundry Unofficial Laneway Party
Looking for the Laneway afterparty? This one doesn't require an invite.
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Event
The Triffid's Third Annual Hottest 100 Party
Count down with the rest of the nation in Brisbane's go-to music haven.
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