The Summer Guide to Brisbane 2018–19
Slap on your sunscreen and get out there — clear blues, secluded bush spots and ice-cold beers await.
Summer in Brisbane is nothing short of glorious. It's sunny mornings, steamy afternoons and evenings that stay bright and burning long after you've escaped the office. It's gold-coloured sunsets at Shorncliffe, Friday afternoons at Kangaroo Point cliffs, post-work picnics in New Farm Park, eating chips by the shore at Manly and weekend jaunts to Straddie. We could go on, but you get it: summer is a jump-out-of-bed-in-the-morning time to be in Brisbane.
But, hey, we're spoilt and sometimes we forget just how damn special this time of year is. That's why, together with coastal brewery Gage Roads, we've put together the Summer Guide, a shortlist of the best this city has to offer December through to March, from rooftop bars and beaches to backyard barbecues and way, way beyond.
So whether you're cracking a tinnie on the sand or sipping a schooey in a cool corner of a beer garden, go forth and frolic. Summer is the ultimate Brisbane pop-up and it waits for no one.
Image: Paros Huckstepp.
The essentials
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The Ten Best Beaches Near Brisbane
Summer smells like sunscreen, feels like sand between your cheeks and looks like old men in Speedos.
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Sleeping Under the Stars: A Guide to Camping In, Near and Around Brisbane
Where to sleep when you're slumbering under the stars.
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The 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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Road Tripping: A Brisbanite's Guide
From quick city getaways just a few hours drive away to epic interstate adventures.
The Best Things to Do This Summer
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Outdoor adventures
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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.
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News
The 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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News
The Five Best Rivers for Swimming in Near Brisbane
Skip the surf and overcrowded sands of Queensland's beaches in favour of floating upstream at these nearby rivers.
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News
The Best Caves to Visit Near Brisbane and Beyond
Crawl out of your living room cave and into these awe-inspiring ones.
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News
The Five Best Snorkelling Spots Near Brisbane
Swim with dolphins, spot shipwrecks, and peek into the underwater lives of starfish, sea anemones and more at these Queensland snorkelling spots.
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News
The 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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News
Five Epic Multi-Day Hikes to Conquer Near Brisbane
Pack a tent, water and lots of snacks and walk your way through the most beautiful parts of Queensland.
Summer eats
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Guide
The Best Rooftop Bars in and Around Brisbane
Here's where to head in and around Brisbane when you want to enjoy a cocktail skyward.
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News
Gelatissimo's Bundaberg Ginger Beer Gelato Is Your Refreshing New Summer Dessert
The limited-edition flavour turns the classic Aussie beverage into a tangy, slightly fizzy treat.
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News
Burleigh Pavilion Is the Gold Coast's Huge New Beachfront Bar and Eatery
With seats basically on the sand, this new eatery and bar serves up seafood and cocktails to help you make the most of that Burleigh Heads view.
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News
Gelatissimo's Boozy Frosé Sorbet Has Arrived to Cool Down Your Summer
The frosty sweet treat combines Chandon Sparkling Brut Rosé and strawberries — and it's only available this month.
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News
You Can Now Get Food Delivered Straight to Your Beach Towel Thanks to Deliveroo
Next time hunger hits while you're basking in the sun with a book, you won't need to move.
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News
Mr Percival's Is Brisbane's New Bar and Dining Spot Located Right on Top of the Brisbane River
The octagonal overwater spot is serving up local seafood, many spritzes and European beachside vibes.
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News
Gelato Messina Has Dropped a New Line of Its Famed Cakes Just In Time for Summer
The gelato experts have unveiled eight new creations for you to sink your sweet tooth into this party season.
Warm Weather Getaways
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News
The Ten Best Summer Day Trips Out of Brisbane
Take advantage of the warm weather — beaches, waterfalls, rainforests and baby turtles are just a stone's throw away.
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News
The 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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News
Ten Extremely Australian Big Things Worth a Detour on Your Next Very Long Road Trip
Giant watermelons, potatoes and lobsters named Larry might sound ridiculous, and they are — but that doesn't stop them from being among our most loved landmarks.
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News
The Whitsundays' Whitehaven Beach Has Been Named One of the Best in the World
Six Australian beaches have made FlightNetwork list of the top 50 best beaches in the world.
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News
Eight Epic Sculpture Parks in Australia Worth a Road Trip
From sculptures among vineyards and wildflowers to metal figures appear that sit on the surface of a gigantic salt-crusted lake.
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News
You Can Now Escape to a Luxury Dome Tent in the Middle of the NSW Bush
This two-person stay is located on a sprawling property and totally secluded, with stunning views and minimal carbon footprint.
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News
Sri Lanka Has Been Named the Number One Country to Visit in 2019 by Lonely Planet
The island nation has taken the top spot on the annual travel destination list.
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News
The Twelve Most Impressive Art Galleries in Regional Australia
From country Victoria to the WA coast to the Tiwi Islands, these galleries house homegrown and Indigenous art collections worth planning a whole weekend around.
Air-conditioned adventures
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Guide
Eight Blockbuster Art Exhibitions to See Across Australia This Summer
Plan interstate trips to view giant mirrored sculptures by Jeff Koons, check out a major installation by Lindy Lee and explore the world of First Nations fashion — all at Australia's best galleries.
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News
Six Impressive Artworks to See at Brisbane's Ninth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art
QAGOMA's huge new APT9 exhibition celebrates the creativity — and explores the issues — of Australia and the Asia Pacific.
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Six Impressive Artworks to See at Brisbane's Ninth Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art
QAGOMA's huge new APT9 exhibition celebrates the creativity — and explores the issues — of Australia and the Asia Pacific.
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Brisbane Bars with Games and Activities for When You Want to Do More Than Just Drink
Sip shiraz over 'Scrabble', mash buttons with a brew in your hand or pair cocktails with karaoke — or making your own perfume.
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The Calile Is Fortitude Valley's New Resort-Style Hotel with Cabanas, Poolside Dining and an All-Day Bar
The new 175-room spot is calling itself 'Australia's first urban resort'.
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Brisbane's Best New Spaces of 2018
Six of the most stunning and thought provoking new buildings, artworks and venues to arrive in Brisbane this year.
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A New Adults-Only Arcade Bar from the Holey Moley Team Has Just Opened In Fortitude Valley
The eclectic B. Lucky & Sons offers vintage prizes, alcoholic bubble teas and bonito-flake pizza toppings.
Reading List
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News
Ten Films You Need to See in 2019
From Quentin Tarantino's star-studded Manson-era movie to the return of the screen's kookiest family.
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News
Concrete Playground's Top Ten Films of 2018
From beautiful black and white depictions of post-war Poland to heartbreaking tales from the Australian outback, here are the films you need to see before the year is out.
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News
Every James Bond Movie Is Coming to Stan This Week
All 24 official Bond movies hit the streaming platform in 4K on Boxing Day.
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News
You'll Be Able to Binge-Watch All Eight 'Harry Potter' Movies on Netflix in 2019
The full magical set will hit the streaming service in January next year.
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News
Summer Reading List 2018–19
Including a controversial memoir, this year's Man Booker winner and the latest effort from the author behind 'Call Me By Your Name'.
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News
Concrete Playground's 2018 Boxing Day Movie Smackdown
Get maximum bang for your Kris Kringle gift voucher buck.
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News
You Can Watch Netflix's First Original Australian Series 'Tidelands' Right Now
The eight-part supernatural drama was filmed entirely in Queensland.
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News
All of Your Favourite Disney, Pixar, Marvel and 'Star Wars' Films Are Headed to Stan
The huge collection of movies hits the Australian streaming platform on Friday, December 14.
Wellbeing
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The 11 Best Day Spas in and Around Brisbane
Treat yourself to a massage with a view, a soak on a rooftop or a bath overlooking Lamington National Park at these southeast Queensland day spas.
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Eight 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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Ten 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.