30 things to do this summer in Brisbane
Summer in Brisbane has well and truly arrived ahead of schedule, and we think we all deserve a well earned break — let’s dive right in and enjoy the best season of the year. Not one to leave you in the lurch, we’ve done our research and got not one, not two, but THIRTY suggestions for you to add to your summer-lovin’ plans. Whether you’re the sporty type, love a bit of theatre in your life, or just keen for some snacks and riverfront spritzes, we’ve got you covered!
Read on to discover our 30 best summer ideas, and share your photos with us using #brisbaneanyday
Do you have a particular interest? Click below to jump to that section.
Arts & Theatre
|
Adventure & Sport
|
Food & Drink
|
City Escapes
|
Family
Don’t miss the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see 150 years of motorcycle design in the largest exhibition of historical, iconic and future road machines all in one place at the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).
Still looking for adventure? While at the Gallery, catch a moto-movie, grab a bite to eat or shop till you drop at the GOMA X DEUS collab store. The Motorcycle at GOMA is the perfect way to refuel after a ride.
Thinking about how to get there? We’ve done some of the hard work for you and planned three itineraries for your motorcycle day trip, no matter where you’re starting your journey!
2. Boomerang Installation, QAGOMA | Until 8 August 2021
Prepare to be absolutely dazzled by 270,000 crystals in Ai Weiwei’s Boomerang (2006). Set in the open space of Queensland Art Gallery’s watermall, this installation is one you cannot miss. Get your cameras ready and capture the sparkle!
Live theatre is back in a big way! Head to QPAC in Southbank to take in the sights and sounds we’ve so dearly missed. Not sure what to watch first? How about getting into the festive spirit with the award-winning stage spectacle “A Christmas Carol”. The Charles Dicken’s classic returns to lift spirits and spread festivity in this magical production. On for a limited time only, don’t miss out! If you’re lucky, you might even be able to score tickets to the exclusive Christmas Eve performance, to get you ready for the big day!
Coming to you exclusively this year, the Factory Summer Festival - a West Coast tradition trying it’s hand at serving up arts and entertainment on the East Coast for the first time. Head to Victoria Parklands from the 11th December for all things experiential - think arts and live gigs. Major names are joining the line up this year, like Confidence Man, Vera Blue, Peking Duk and so many more. It’s the ultimate summer experience, to end the year grooving.
Situated right on the very edge of the Brisbane river and New Farm Park, the arts and entertainment hub is the place to explore this summer time. Book into one of the many events on offer - like Tim Freedman’s ‘A Very Naughty Christmas’ or the ‘There’s Something About Music’ cabaret.
While you’re there sip a riverside cocktail or settle in for a delicious feed at Mary Mae's Bar & Kitchen.
Brisbane’s home of cricket - The Gabba, will be hosting the major sporting event of the summer, the final Australia VS India cricket test match. Kicking off mid January, the last leg of this series will be held on our home soil, so get your tickets quick to support our boys and watch them take home the win in Brisbane.
Cycling Australia’s 2020 Track National Championships is being held across five big days at the Anna Meares Velodrome. These epic five days will boast 2020 Elite & U19 Track National Championships, as well as the Para-Track National Championships. Set to attract Australia’s best Olympic and Paralympic athletes across a variety of events to Australia’s home of cycling.
8. Big Bash Cricket | 23 December 2020 - 4 January 2021
Nothing says summer like some Aussie cricket! Get the gang together and head to one of the Big Bash games at the Gabba to support the Brisbane Heat. With an electric atmosphere on offer, it’s sure to be a great day out.
Think you've ticked it all off your list? Think again. We're pretty confident we could bet that you haven't done everything on this list - helicopter pub crawls, night kayaking on an island, buying ALL the cheese, visiting the drive-ins, trying hip hop yoga...
Now is the time to plan your camping adventure in Brisbane. Surrounded by stunning displays of natural beauty, the Greater Brisbane region is home to national parks, beaches and lakes worth pitching a tent at. Read our top 10 camping picks here.
It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and what a city to celebrate it in! Get your festive hit with all the wonderful things on offer in Brisbane. Kick things off with the The Lord Mayor's Lighting of the Christmas Tree at King George Square - also live streamed so you can be part of the action at home and light up your own! Keep the spirit going with various events in the city, like the Gold Lotto City Hall Lights, Christmas on Queen with an abundance of live performances and pop-ups right in the heart of Queen Street.
12. Bushtime | 12th December 2020 - 13th January 2021
If you’re the kind of adventurer who also likes to chillax on your getaways, check out Bushtime, brought to you by the team responsible for The Woodford Folk Festival. Bushtime is described as “an inspired camping holiday” where “you are able to treat yourself to the delights on offer”. Purchase a camping ticket to one or more of the camp sessions (between 3 and 9 nights!) and that gets you access to said delights! Think Butterfly walks, snorkel tours, painting, music and circus workshops and so much more than we could ever fit in this article! Check out the full details here.
13. Don't sweat it - keep cool with ice-cream, gelato or summer spritzes
There's never a better time than summer to sip on spritzes like it's going out of fashion. Our picks? Check out Mister Paganini at South Bank (they've launched an all new $10 Summer Spritz menu, you're welcome) or Ciao Papi at Howard Smith Wharves. If you prefer your icy treats sans alcohol, read our guide to the best ice-cream and gelato spots around the city.
14. Check out the new bars and restaurants to wine and dine at this Summer
Brisbane has managed to still give us our new bar fix this summer despite the obvious hurdles this year has thrown!
You need your river-side bar thirst quenched? We’ve got the newly renovated Joeys on Kangaroo Point cliffs for a sunset vantage, or Treasury’s new over water bar Will & Flow for those who literally like to be close to the edge.
If a good old fashioned beer is more your style, check out Felon’s Barrel Hall… heck, you can even spend some time in the brewery to see where your cold ones were conceived. Or, for a limited time only, head up to the old Eleven Rooftop bar and check out pop up venue MAYA-Mexican. Boasting a handpicked array of traditional Mexican spirits like Mezcal, Sotol and everyone’s favourite, Tequila, and a soaring city view to boot, you’ll be pleased you ticked this place off your to-do list.
Looking for a food challenge to last you the summer? Try eating your way through all of the city's iconic dishes. Venues around town can't take these items off the menu without public uproar - and for good reason.
Long summer days' call for afternoon drinks and no one does a Sunday afternoon session better than Brisbane's outdoor bars. Close out your weekend with a spritz and a bang at these venues.
If you love to experience a city via your plate - Brisbane is the place to unfold your napkin. Brisbane's restaurants, bars and cafes go above and beyond to ensure where possible that its dishes and drinks come from within the local region.
Image via Dirty Sultan
Soak up the sunshine and raise your glasses to drinking sky-high at our picks of the best rooftop bars in Brisbane.
They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, so why not let someone else do the hard work and prepare it for you. We’ve put together a list of our favourite brekky spots all over Brisbane - from coffee specialists, to breakfast donuts to all the classics.
Food lovers rejoice! The ultimate foodie haven is reopening it’s fairy-lit gates so we can all get our food-coma’s back on. Head back to Eat Street Northshore for all the food truck goodness. Reopening for weekends from Friday December 4th.
21. Brunch with Bite (Drag Queen brunch) - Sundays at Cloudland
Spice up your weekend at Cloudland’s Brunch with Bite - the weekly brunch series filled with risqué entertainment from some of Brisbane’s most fabulous entertainers, paired with an indulgent Italian-inspired brunch and drinks package - you wouldn’t want to be anywhere else! Plus, December will see both Saturdays and Sundays available for a bottomless brunch session. Book your tickets and have a blast!
Summer was made for racing and no better place than Brisbane to take it all in. Head to one or more of the many events as part of Brisbane Racing Club’s jam packed summer calendar.
Venture onto your doorstep to discover a world alive with natural beauty, quality organic foods and rural gems. From the islands offshore to the serenity of the hinterland - explore new places within an hour of Brisbane.
24. Take a mini break on an island
Escape the city and head for one of the islands where wide, golden sandy beaches and refreshing aquatic waters to swim in come standard. Read more about Moreton Island, Bribie Island and North Stradbroke Island.
From heritage-listed rainforests to sand islands and bushland - discover a new national park to horse-ride, fish, bushwalk or cycle around Brisbane this summer.
Take the road less travelled and explore the hidden pockets of nature and history surrounding Brisbane on one of the many scenic drives in the region.
Brisbane summer is hot, so we can think of nothing better than escaping the heat at one of the many picturesque waterfalls and lakes around Brisbane - don't forget your togs (or bathers or swimmers, or whatever you like to call them).
28. Keep the kids entertained with these 40 family ideas
Looking for ideas to entertain the kids for an hour or a weekend or the whole school holidays? We've got you covered with things to do on hot days, rainy days, quiet days or adventure days with children.
With an influx of friends and family visiting over summer, be the best host you can be with this handy guide to entertaining new visitors with Brisbane's top major attractions or to get ones who have overstayed their welcome out of the house. No one in town? You don't need an excuse to play tourist in Brisbane get out and about exploring the city's best.
Plan a barbecue, relax by the river or entertain the kids at one of Brisbane's best local parks. Whether you've got children to entertain or are a child at heart yourself, discover Brisbane's wide range of wildlife parks, zoos and animal farms.
Don't forget to share your summer moments with us using #brisbaneanyday
Sign up to the Visit Brisbane eNews for more great ideas.
-
Hunt down the best brunch spots in Brisbane
Each weekend Brisbanites can be found lining the footpaths for this ritual. Brunch is the most important meal in Brisbane.
-
Discover what's on this September in Brisbane
Brisbane is serving up a month of entertaining events involving masterful music, sporting spectacles, inspiring exhibitions and perfect performances.
-
The 12 events of summer in Brisbane
Brisbane is the gift that keeps on giving. From international sporting matches to world-class performing arts, let Brisbane show you a good time this summer.
-
Mountains to climb around Brisbane
Step after step, hour after hour – climbing a mountain is no easy feat, but when you reach the summit the gain makes the pain all worthwhile.
-
Breweries of Brisbane
No longer is a pint simply a pint, or a schooner simply a schooner. Where did the wheat came from, when was the yeast added and where it was brewed?
-
Hunt down the best brunch spots in Brisbane
Each weekend Brisbanites can be found lining the footpaths for this ritual. Brunch is the most important meal in Brisbane.
-
Discover what's on this September in Brisbane
Brisbane is serving up a month of entertaining events involving masterful music, sporting spectacles, inspiring exhibitions and perfect performances.
-
The 12 events of summer in Brisbane
Brisbane is the gift that keeps on giving. From international sporting matches to world-class performing arts, let Brisbane show you a good time this summer.
-
Mountains to climb around Brisbane
Step after step, hour after hour – climbing a mountain is no easy feat, but when you reach the summit the gain makes the pain all worthwhile.
-
Breweries of Brisbane
No longer is a pint simply a pint, or a schooner simply a schooner. Where did the wheat came from, when was the yeast added and where it was brewed?
