Summer Guide: Brisbane 2020–21
Slap on your sunscreen and get out there — clear blues, secluded bush spots and ice-cold beers await.
Summer is here, folks. And with it comes eased restrictions, open borders and a whole state (and country) to explore. After spending most of the year indoors, it's time to get outside. It's time to make the most of Brisbane's sunny evenings that stay bright long after you've escaped the office, the 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.
While most years we'd likely pause here and say something about taking it all for granted, in 2020, we're not. We all have a new-found appreciation for the bounty of experiences available to us in Brisbane. And to help you enjoy the best of it, we've, together with Jim Beam, put together the Summer Guide: a shortlist of all the good stuff going down in the city between December and March.
So whether you're drinking a bourbon, soda and lemon or putting away a highball in a beer garden, go forth and frolic. Summer is the ultimate Brisbane pop-up and it waits for no one.
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES
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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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The Best Things to Do On, By and Near the Water in Brisbane
From visiting overwater bars to hopping in a kayak and picnicking on a boat, there are plenty of ways to enjoy our River City.
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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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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.
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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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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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The Best Bike Rides In and Around Brisbane
From leisurely city rides to stunning bush climbs, here are the best Brisbane cycling paths to glide around on two wheels.
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The Nine Best One-Day Hikes to Conquer in and Around Brisbane This Winter
Swap the pavement for bush tracks, waterfalls and mountain peaks.
THINGS TO DO
SUMMER EATS
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Where to Find the Best Ice Cream and Gelato in Brisbane
The temperature is rising and the gelato is freezing — cool down with Brisbane's top tier of iced confections this spring and summer.
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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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The Best Spots for an All-Inclusive Boozy Brunch in Brisbane
Say cheers to turning your first meal of the day into quite the occasion.
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The Best Aperitivo Hours In Brisbane
Where to relax, Italian-style, with an afternoon beverage.
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The Best Spots in Brisbane for Sundowners
The best places to see out the sunlight with a drink in your hand.
OUT-OF-TOWN ADVENTURES
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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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Five Epic Mountain Walks to Try Near Brisbane
These scenic hikes not far from Brisbane will have you feeling like you're on top of the world.
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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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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.
AIR-CONDITIONED ENTERTAINMENT
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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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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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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.
STUNNING GETAWAYS
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The Most-Secluded Retreats You Can Book in the Sunshine Coast Hinterland
Here, you'll find cosy couples' cabins, treehouse hideaways and stunning rural retreats.
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The Most-Idyllic Island Accommodations You Can Book in Queensland
Treat yourself to a tropical Hamilton Island getaway, spend a few days lounging in the Whitsundays or make the most of Straddie when staying at these stunning accommodations.
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The 15 Best Dog-Friendly Hotels in Australia for 2024
Spots where both of you can sit and stay.
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Twenty of the Most Romantic Escapes for Two You Can Book in Byron Bay
Spend a few days relaxing with your significant other in these serene spots with outdoor tubs and sparkling plunge pools.
THE BEST OF 2020
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Brisbane's Most Popular Restaurants of 2020
These are the neon-lit Tex-Mex joints, riverside restaurants and fried chicken spots you flocked to this year.
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Ten Songs You May Have Missed in 2020 But Can Listen to On Repeat Over Summer
Refresh your summer playlist with these tracks — from feel-good hip hop to anthemic indie-rock.
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The Ten Best Films of 2020
With exceptional dramas, joyous concert documentaries and horror mind-benders, 2020 wasn't lacking in excellent movies.
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The Ten Best New TV Shows of 2020
From a topical horror series and a mind-bending sci-fi thriller to an offbeat Aussie sketch comedy — and they're all available to stream.
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The Ten Best Movies Hardly Anyone Saw in 2020
From topical dramas and animated delights to rousing flicks about the 90s electronic music scene and out-there sci-fi horror movies.
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The 11 Best Books of 2020 to Read This Summer
Use your time off to get deep into the winner of this year's 2020 Miles Franklin Award or a gripping memoir on the dark reality of Silicon Valley.