The Summer Travel & Leisure Guide

Because the year’s too long and summer’s too short to waste time on the mediocre.
Rich Fogarty
Published on December 11, 2014
  • News

    The 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.

  • News

    The Best Picnic Spots in Brisbane

    Wait till the weather is just right, fill your esky with cold drinks and an oversupply of snacks, then get picnicking.

  • News

    The RSPCA Wants You to Adopt an Animal This Weekend

    It's lowering its adoption fee to $29 in an effort to free up space in its shelters across the country.

  • News

    The Best Rum Bars in Brisbane

    Be transported to Tiki shacks, Cuban shores and illicit speakeasies.

  • Bar

    The Flying Cock - CLOSED

    388 Brunswick Street, Fortitude Valley

    Just like the set of Pirates of the Caribbean, with added live music, chicken parmy and innuendo.

  • News

    9D Action Cinemas Opens at Garden City

    Breaking the fourth wall has never been so wet.

  • Event

    Bites and Brews Laneway Festival

    Sat, 28 Feb, 2015

    Shafston Hotel, East Brisbane

    If this isn't the perfect way to spend the last Saturday of summer, we don't know what is.

  • Event

    O Brother, Where Art Thou?: Music of the Depression Era

    Fri, 27 Feb, 2015

    The New Globe Theatre, Brisbane

    A night of bluegrass, gospel, country and folk tunes inspired by one of cinema's coolest soundtracks.

  • Event

    Chinese New Year in Fortitude Valley

    Sat, 21 Feb - Sun, 22 Feb 2015

    Chinatown Fortitude Valley, Fortitude Valley

    Welcome in the year of the sheep with markets, dragon dances, kung fu demos and all the dumplings you can handle.

  • Event

    Downey Park Food Trucks

    Sun, 22 Feb, 2015

    Downey Park, Windsor

    Sunday picnics have never been so easy.

  • News

    Drive-in Cinema to Pop Up at GOMA

    Drive in, sit back, enjoy the movie and try not to make out too much.

  • Cafe

    Smoked Paprika

    198 Boundary Road, Bardon

    No boring breakfasts around here.

  • Bar

    Hop & Pickle

    Little Stanley Street, South Brisbane

    Hop & Pickle deliver an eclectic gastropub menu, best enjoyed with a craft beer and a view of South Bank greenery.

  • Event

    Everything Deco to Retro Fair

    Fri, 20 Feb - Sun, 22 Feb 2015

    Table Tennis Hall, Windsor

    Where else will you assemble a new wardrobe of classic couture, top up your record collection and add a cat-shaped clock to your wall?

  • Event

    Mesmerism Summer Festival

    Fri, 20 Feb - Sat, 21 Feb 2015

    Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts, Fortitude Valley

    Whether you’ve had a tough week or are just an avid fan of meditation, Mesmerism is the art festival you're well in need of.

  • News

    Gelato Messina Has Finally Come to Queensland

    Sydney's dessert wizards have finally flown north.

  • Bar

    The Manhattan Line

    3A Little Stanley Street, South Bank

    A straight line to everything deep-fried and smothered in sauce.

  • News

    Zara Home Launches in Australia

    Extend your wardrobe to your walls.

  • News

    The Ten Best Frozen Treats in Brisbane

    Some healthy and nourishing. Some not so much.

  • News

    Doughnut Time Finally Opens in Fortitude Valley

    Expect all the doughy, iced-and-garnished circular confections of your dreams.

  • Event

    Friday the 13th Marathon: The Babadook + '80s Trash Horror Flicks

    Fri, 13 Feb, 2015

    The New Globe Theatre, Brisbane

    Reader beware, you're in for a scare.

  • News

    The Foundry to Become Brisbane’s New Creative Music Hub

    Brisbane's planned music venue lets you play and crash after the show for free. Really.

  • Event

    A Taste of Harmony Food Truck Festival

    Wed, 11 Feb, 2015

    King George Square, Brisbane

    Grab your coworkers and share a food truck lunch.

  • Event

    Thank Truck It's Thursday

    Thu, 7 Jan, 2016

    Wandering Cooks, South Brisbane

    So here's where all the food trucks are.

  • Event

    Valentine's Busk

    Sat, 14 Feb, 2015

    South Bank Cultural Centre, South Bank

    Entertainment everywhere you turn, topped off with a set from the Basics.

  • Event

    Studio 4101 Pop-Up

    Fri, 13 Feb - Sat, 14 Feb 2015

    Queensland Conservatorium, South Brisbane

    A new pop-up performance space at South Bank.

  • News

    This Swing Table Just Made Meetings Way More Fun

    Swing your way through boring PowerPoint presentations.

  • Event

    BrisAsia Festival 2015

    Fri, 6 Feb - Sun, 1 Mar 2015

    Various Brisbane venues, Brisbane

    Watch Asian short films in Chinatown for Lunar New Year, paddle a 12-metre dragon boat from Breakfast Creek and get to know the adorable, miniature world of amigurumi.

  • Bar

    Dutch Courage Officers' Mess

    51 Alfred Street, Fortitude Valley

    Make like Snoop Dogg, sip on some gin and juice, and do your granny proud.

  • Restaurant

    Toobirds Bistro & Bar

    127 Creek St, Brisbane

    Crowds are flocking to this CBD breakfast and lunch destination.

  • Bar

    Brooklyn Standard

    Eagle Lane, Brisbane

    Rooftops are fine, but underground's where the live music, American beers and free table pretzels are at.

  • News

    Could This New Sky Garden Be the Workplace of the Future?

    Forget the tedium of the office cubicle. The future is harvesting your own lunch, wearable tech and abseiling during coffee breaks.

  • News

    H&M Opens Brisbane Stores

    The Swedish retail giant is finally a Brisbane local.

  • News

    GALLERY + REVIEW: St. Jerome's Laneway Festival 2015

    The sizzling 33 degree day gave way as a very, big, bad storm with more attitude than Vic Mensa clipped Brisbane CBD at the edge.

  • News

    Van Gogh Paintings Realised as Haute Couture

    Van Gogh's little straw hat has never looked so Bjork.

  • Event

    A Fancy Evening with Brendan Maclean

    Fri, 6 Feb, 2015

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    There's no such thing as a regular evening with the man known to Baz Luhrmann as "a modern-day Mick Jagger".

  • Event

    Brisbane Queer Film Festival 2015

    Fri, 6 Feb - Sun, 15 Feb 2015

    Palace Centro Cinema, Fortitude Valley

    See some of the most exciting and status-quo-challenging films of today.

  • News

    A Look Back at Ten Years of Laneway Festival

    The last ten years have seen Australian festival after Australian festival launch and go under. How have Laneway managed to nail it?

  • Bar

    The Charming Squire

    133 Grey Street, South Brisbane

    A fitting ode to the roguish convict turned brewer whose beers still hit the spot.

  • Restaurant

    Hudson Corner

    10 Albion Road, Albion

    So this is what a real cheeseburger tastes like.

  • News

    This New App Can Tell You Which Friend Stresses You Out Most

    Want to surround yourself with positive people? There's an app for that.

  • News

    Sonny’s House of Blues is Brisbane's Newest Dive Bar

    Tacos, craft beer and sweet, sweet blues.

  • Event

    Belle and Sebastian

    Wed, 28 Jan, 2015

    The Tivoli, Fortitude Valley

    Indie-pop royalty blown in on a breeze of Glaswegian whimsy.

  • News

    Belle and Sebastian's Stuart Murdoch Wanted Your Nine-to-Five Job

    The Glaswegian lead singer also thinks you might have written his music for him.

  • Event

    Official Laneway Brisbane 2015 Afterparty

    Sat, 31 Jan, 2015

    The Brightside, Brisbane

    Prepare yourself for the inevitable migration from the RNA to Brightside.

  • Event

    Pappy Van Winkle Appreciation Night

    Sat, 31 Jan, 2015

    The Gresham, Brisbane

    Be one of only 30 people in Brisbane to sample some of the USA's finest whiskey.

  • News

    Win Passes to Palace Cinemas Thanks to Appleton Estate

    One of summer's classic cool retreats, now with a cocktail to match.

  • News

    Eagles Nest Rooftop Bar to Open with Sweeping Kangaroo Point Views

    The Point is putting quite the feather in its cap.

  • Event

    Limes Hotel Rooftop Cinema

    Wed, 28 Jan - Thu, 30 Apr 2015

    Limes Hotel, Fortitude Valley

    Watch cinema under the stars, private plunge pool optional.

  • Event

    Great Australian Bites

    Fri, 23 Jan - Mon, 26 Jan 2015

    River Quay Green, South Bank

    River Quay's finest eateries, outdoors and snackable.

  • News

    All the Best Ways to Spend the Australia Day Weekend in Brisbane

    Craft beer, roast chook rolls, the Hottest 100. Whatever you value about Australia, celebrate it.

  • Bar

    Brewski

    22 Caxton Street, Brisbane

    There's no shortage of bars marrying craft beer with American eats, but few do it as well as Brewski.

  • News

    Ten Ways to Keep Cool in Brisbane This Summer

    Stay cool at the hottest places in town all summer long.

  • News

    The Ten Best Summer Getaways From Brisbane

    You're never more than an hour away from a cabin on the coast and a cocktail to shake in it.

  • Event

    '90s Music Video Party

    Sat, 24 Jan, 2015

    New Globe Theatre, Brisbane

    Make like The Spice Girls and say you'll be there.

  • News

    Build Your Own Smartphone With Google's Project Ara

    Pick and choose the components of your phone. Nice one, Google.

  • Cafe

    Campos Coffee Fortitude Valley - CLOSED

    11 Wandoo St, Fortitude Valley

    Two thick slices of brioche get served up with an espresso panna cotta, caramelised banana and fresh fruit.

  • News

    RSPCA Queensland is Holding Their First-Ever Pop-Up Adoption Drive

    Spend your Saturday surrounded by pups and kits.

  • News

    This Durable Cardboard Bike Costs Just $10 to Make

    A bike so cheap that it's not even worth the energy deployed in trying to steal it.

  • Event

    Festival of Tibet 2015

    Mon, 19 Jan - Sun, 25 Jan 2015

    The Powerhouse Brisbane, New Farm

    See the Powerhouse transformed into a hub of Tibetan activity, with sand mandalas, dumplings, art, music and meditation.

  • Restaurant

    Carraway Pier

    8 Carraway St, Kelvin Grove

    Fortunately low prices don't equal poor quality or small portions.

  • News

    The Ten Best Things to Come Out of Jamaica

    Jerk, James Bond, the world's finest coffee and rum? Thank Jamaica.

  • Event

    Myths and Legends

    Fri, 9 Jan - Sun, 8 Mar 2015

    GOMA, South Brisbane

    Featuring a filmic lineup that both includes and is bigger than Ben-Hur.

  • Event

    Brisbane Underground Film Festival 2015

    Thu, 8 Jan - Sat, 10 Jan 2015

    Brisbane Powerhouse, New Farm

    The city's only film festival championing the overlooked and the under-seen.

  • Event

    Wye Oak

    Sun, 11 Jan, 2015

    Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley

    Soaring, unmissable folk direct from Baltimore to you.

  • News

    Summertime Sips: Three Rum Cocktails to Make at Home this Summer

    Your pool party punch and post-festival nightcap, sorted.

  • News

    Brisbane's Best New Summer Bars

    Rooftop bars, beer gardens and poolside cocktail spots are where you'll find us this summer.

  • News

    The Five Best New Year's Day Parties in Brisbane

    Dust off that hangover, 2015 ain't waiting.

  • Event

    Danny Brown

    Fri, 3 Jan, 2014

    The HiFi, West End

    Fast, frantic and truly original, Detroit's must-see rapper returns to Brisbane.

  • Event

    New Years Eve at Black Bear Lodge

    Wed, 31 Dec, 2014

    Black Bear Lodge, Fortitude Valley

    The Creases, Donny Benet and a big ol' bar tab. Happy New Year indeed.

  • Event

    Woodford Folk Festival 2014/15

    Sat, 27 Dec 2014 - Thu, 1 Jan 2015

    Woodfordia, Woodford

    Set up camp, let your hair get knotty, and roam makeshift tarpaulin towns.

  • News

    The 2014 Boxing Day Movie Smackdown

    It's a fierce field of contenders, except for one sadly flabby has-been.

  • News

    Concrete Playground's Summer Reading List

    Ten books from this year that no bibliophile should miss.

  • Event

    Christmas Cinema Series at Streets Beach

    Wed, 17 Dec - Tue, 23 Dec 2014

    South Bank Parklands, Brisbane

    Pack a picnic, bring your beach towel and enjoy Christmas movies from your childhood under the stars.

  • Event

    Cheated Hearts Christmas Party

    Fri, 19 Dec, 2014

    Oh Hello!, Fortitude Valley

    Come, all ye faithful, and revel in the Cheated Hearts melting pot once more for 2014.

  • Cafe

    Thr1ve - CLOSED

    Post Office Square, Queen St, Brisbane

    Did someone say salted caramel smoothie?

  • Event

    Nu Year's Eve Party: 3015

    Wed, 31 Dec, 2014

    Southside Tea Room, Brisbane

    Party like it's 3015 at Southside's emphatically themed New Year's bash.

  • Event

    South Bank Fireworks

    Wed, 31 Dec, 2014

    South Bank Parklands, Brisbane

    Take it back to basics and stake out a patch of grass at South Bank Parklands this New Year's Eve.

  • Event

    The Big Chill

    Wed, 31 Dec, 2014

    Boundary Street Markets Complex, West End

    Bliss out on the last day of 2014 with an afternoon full of music, tasty street food and frequent trips to the tiki beach bar.

  • Guide

    The Summer Design & Style Guide

    Forget layers; summer and style go hand in hand, and its greatest hits are never disposable.

  • Guide

    The Summer Arts & Entertainment Guide

    The nights are long; savour them in the best outdoor (or air conditioned) events.

  • Guide

    The Summer Food & Drink Guide

    You've not a care in the world besides finding that new cabana bar and staying there.

  • Event

    St Jerome's Laneway Festival 2015

    Sat, 31 Jan, 2015

    Brisbane Showgrounds, Bowen Hills

    Celebrating ten years of Laneway shenanigans, it's only fitting to invite Mac DeMarco's mum to the party.

  • Event

    Eat Street Markets

    Fri, 23 Jan - Sat, 27 Jun 2015

    Portside Wharf Hamilton, Brisbane

    Brisbane's Asian hawker street food-inspired market, with the added charm of shipping containers and hanging lights.

  • News

    The Six Best Acai Bowls in Brisbane

    The acai craze is creeping up the coast and has made its mark on menus around Brisbane.

  • Restaurant

    La Macelleria Gelateria

    10-29 Florence Street, Teneriffe

    Eating gelato is great, but what if you learnt how to make your own?

  • Restaurant

    Jamie’s Italian - CLOSED

    237 Edward Street, Brisbane

    The largest Jamie's Italian in Australia has not gone unnoticed.

  • News

    A Guide to the Perfect Summer Playlist from the Makers of JukeCase

    Road tripping, house partying, beach-bumming. Here's how to soundtrack your summer.

  • News

    Moonlight Cinema Announce 2014-15 Program

    Whip out the picnic rugs and get the wine cooler at the ready.

  • Bar

    Sol Natural Foods

    Shop 6, 826 Ann St, Fortitude Valley

    Raw treats, artisan breads, vegan pizzas and craft beers — the Valley's little slice of foodie heaven.

  • Bar

    Woolly Mammoth

    633 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

    The upstairs Garden Bar is a Hamptons-style tropical oasis with greenery, clashing patterns, white wood and Pimms on tap.

  • Event

    Ben and Jerry’s Openair Cinema 2014

    Sun, 28 Sep - Sun, 9 Nov 2014

    Rainforest Green, Brisbane

    Just when you thought a choc-top at the movies couldn't get any better come the ultimate 'Sundae' Sessions.

  • Restaurant

    Ben's Burgers

    5 Winn Street, Fortitude Valley

    From the food to the fit-out, everything is fuss free and fairly fantastic.

  • Event

    Moonlight Cinema 2014/2015

    Thu, 4 Dec 2014 - Sun, 22 Feb 2015

    New Farm Park, New Farm

    Love movies? Love sitting under the stars? Go ahead and combine the two.

  • News

    The Eight Best Ways to Exercise for Free in Brisbane

    Getting fit in Brisbane doesn't mean you have to shell out for expensive gym memberships.

  • News

    The Ten Best Martinis in Brisbane

    Where to drink "the only American invention as perfect as the sonnet".

  • News

    The Seven Best Healthy Eating Spots in Brisbane

    A health kick is no reason to stay home with your green smoothie.

  • News

    The Seven Best Dance Floors in Brisbane

    Lose the shame tingles and bust a move.

  • News

    The Ten Best Bars in the Brisbane ‘Burbs

    And we're not talking New Farm. It's time to talk about the bars finding new frontiers.

  • News

    The Ten Best Farmers’ Markets in Brisbane

    Shopping destinations for lovers of gourmet and eaters with a conscience.

  • News

    The Eight Best Healthy Breakfasts in Brisbane

    Because not every breakfast can be covered in hollandaise.

  • News

    The Eight Best Chicken Wing Joints in Brisbane

    Let your tastebuds be carried away to a yokel hangout or sports bar in the US of A.

  • News

    Ten Standout Craft Beers to Try Before the End of Summer

    Meet some local beers doing amazing things with hops, water and yeast.

  • News

    The Best Fish and Chips in Brisbane

    Some of the best fish and chips in the city, no dreaded stodge in sight.

  • News

    Ten Outdoor Accessories to Make Your Next Camping Trip the Ultimate

    The best gizmos and accessories for getting back to nature.

  • Bar

    Limes Hotel Rooftop Bar

    142 Constance Street, Fortitude Valley

    Enjoy the new rooftop BBQ menu and cocktails while you pretend you're on holidays at your next Sunday sesh.

  • News

    The Ten Best Milkshakes in Brisbane

    Sure, we've grown up. But so too have Brisbane's milkshakes, which are now house-made, all-natural and pretty darn sophisticated.

  • News

    The Five Best Outdoor Restaurants in Brisbane

    In the Queensland summer, there’s nothing better than enjoying a meal and good company in the great outdoors.

  • News

    The Ultimate Escape in the Daintree and Port Douglas

    For the ultimate Aussie getaway, we head far, far north to Port Douglas, the Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef.

  • News

    The Bluffer’s Guide to Summer Entertaining

    Be the host/hostess with the most/mostess.

  • News

    The Ten Best Beaches Near Brisbane

    Summer smells like sunscreen, feels like sand between your cheeks and looks like old men in Speedos.

  • News

    Summer Style Guide for Men

    Because swim shorts 24-7 are not socially acceptable unless you live on the beach.

  • News

    Summer Style Guide for Women

    Some of the season's best looks for every taste.

  • News

    Ten Hotel Oases That Will Cool You Down in Summer

    Boutique hotel experts Mr & Mrs Smith have the lowdown on where the trendsetters sleep.

  • Bar

    Elixir Rooftop Bar - CLOSED

    646 Ann Street, Fortitude Valley

    Brisbane is a great place to be outside; may rooftop bars like this reign.

  • News

    The Five Best Scenic Running Routes in Brisbane

    Whether you are running for need or desire, one thing that will keep you motivated is a killer view.

  • News

    The Five Best Riverfront Spots in Brisbane

    Brisbanites can't get enough of absolute waterfront vantage points for dinner and drinks.

  • News

    The Five Best Vineyard Getaways in Australia

    Pop open a bottle of estate-grown wine at these stylish stays among the Australian vines.

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