As Brisbane turns up the heat, we give you the lowdown on the very best hotspots to enjoy summer in the city.
The Sunshine State’s capital pulsates with a fun energy during the hot summer months. There really is so much to do in this riverside city, from meandering through the lush Botanic Gardens and window shopping in West End to sipping cocktails at hip new overwater bars – and all within easy reach of Treasury Brisbane. Here are eight of our favourites.
1. Walk the streets in West End
Brisbane’s West End is just 10 minutes’ drive from Treasury Brisbane and is loved for its quirky vibe and bohemian heart. Here you’ll find everything from tiki bars and record stores to weekly markets for thrift lovers. Be sure to visit Jet Black Cat record store when visiting; they organise live pop-up performances in the pocket park next door to the store. The Davies Park Markets take place every Saturday morning and is a must-visit when in Brisbane, and the Brisbane Brewing Co. is a firm favourite.
2. Sip a tipple at Will & Flow
Will & Flow is the city’s newest overwater bar set on the north bank of Brisbane River. The venue features everything that Australians love about Queensland: a laidback but chic design, alfresco setting, classic fresh and summery cocktails (we’re dying to try the mango daiquiri!) and a list of delicious eats. Choose from wood-fired pizza, indulgent seafood platters, light bites, seasonal salads and oysters, so many oysters. Mmm…
3. Explore South Bank
Just a hop, skip and a jump over the Victoria Bridge is tourist hotspot South Bank with free events year-round, beautiful parks to picnic in and arts and culture offerings.
4. Get Back to nature
Strolling through the Botanic Gardens and enjoying the city’s subtropical climate is a must-do summer activity when in Brisbane. Take a self-guided walk or a cycle though the gardens, catch a free gig, browse some markets or enjoy a laidback picnic under one of the gardens’ age-old trees.
5. Sip a brew at Stone & Wood
Australia’s beloved Stone & Wood brewery is located in a heritage-listed building in Fortitude Valley, just a 10-minute drive from Treasury Brisbane. Sit back and have a chat with a local, sample the brewery’s one-off experimental brews or enjoy a quick bite to eat to fuel you for the rest of your day.
6. Take a ride on the Brisbane River
Hop aboard Brisbane’s CityCat ferry and lose yourself on a journey up and down the Brisbane River. Your eyes can dart in all directions and will take in so much more than you might otherwise be able to see if you were slowly walking through the city’s streets. A fleet of mini catamarans have been chartered from Sydney to Brisbane and will start operation along the river in November, so keep an eye out for them, too.
7. Visit Enoggera Dam
Enoggera Dam (also called Enoggera Reservoir) is a 20-minute drive from Treasury Brisbane and is a great spot for swimming in the summer months. You can go for bushwalks around the dam, too.
8. Check out Howard Smith Wharves
A short 10-minute drive from Treasury Brisbane will deliver you to Howard Smith Wharves, a series of historic old wharf buildings transformed into beautiful new restaurants and bars. It’s alfresco dining and drinking at its very best. Queen’s Wharf is another destination and lifestyle hub currently being developed and is set to open in 2022, so watch this space.
