With its riverside location, sprawling pools and all-round laidback feel, South Bank and summer already go hand-in-hand. Just as the weather starts to warm up in Brisbane, the inner-city precinct has welcomed a new attraction — the first Brisbane outpost for Noosa's beloved Happy Pops.
If you're new to the Happy Pops experience, it's all about artisanal gelato on a stick, using all-natural, preservative-free Australian ingredients. Think Maleny milk, real vanilla, Belgian chocolate and actual fruit pieces. It also serves up vegan options, using soy, rice and coconut milk, which is good news for folks who don't consume animal products but still love a frosty treat.
Customers can opt for a pre-made pop for $7, licking their way through the popular Hokey Pokey (with honeycomb made from Aussie honey, chocolate and caramel sauce), or the dessert mashup that is the Fruit Pavlova (which combines actual pavlova, vanilla gelato, white chocolate, freeze-dried raspberries and passionfruit) — among other flavours. Or, you can design your own for $8.50. You'll just need to choose your base (gelato, sorbet or yoghurt), style of chocolate (full-dip, half-dip or drizzle) and three toppings (including hazelnuts, sprinkles, macadamia nuts, marshmallows, Oreos, M&Ms and Nerds).
If you'd prefer a waffle or brownie on a stick, covered in chocolate and then doused in your chosen toppings, that's also on the menu. Waffles are only on offer after 5pm, or all day if it's raining.
Happy Pops serves milkshakes ($8), too, plus three kinds of mini-pops for kids ($4.50).