Some people will try to argue that Queensland doesn't really have a winter. Those who live there will tell you otherwise. Despite not reaching the icy chill of Tasmania or Victoria, the South-East corner of the state certainly does still experience the winter blues. And with no heating to crank or a wardrobe of coats to don, we need to find alternative ways to beat the chill.
If you're a Brisbane resident looking for ways to keep warm and genuinely enjoy the winter months, these are the activities to add to your winter itinerary. Below, our list of what to do in Brisbane when its cold...
Soak at The Bathhouse Albion
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The perfect way to warm up and reset, if you ask us. Bathhouses are substantially cheaper than most other wellness therapies, and far more fun too. Bring a friend, hit the Infrared Sauna, the Scented Steam Room and one of their two heated pools.
Wine and dine at your local watering hole
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As someone who spent almost a decade of their formative years living and breathing Brisbane nightlife, not only is Brisbane's bar scene supremely underrated, I have come to understand that it's also a little difficult to stumble across. Whether your objective is a few knock-off cocktails or a Sunday afternoon beer session, we've picked out the best bars in Brisbane you simply must visit.
Park yourself at the Yatala Drive-In
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There's something romantic about driving yourself and a car full of loved ones down to Yatala (only a 40 min drive), parking yourself in front of the setting sun and tuning into a drive-in movie. We'd suggest stuffing the car with an abundance of snacks, blankets and pillows before you leave for the ultimate comfort watch.
Stroll at the Gallery of Modern Art
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Bad weather days in the cold often call for indoor activities. And what better to feed the mind than a trip to Queensland Art Gallery and its neighbouring Gallery of Modern Art? Both have free exhibitions on year-round, or you can time your visit with one of their spectacular touring exhibitions for a small entry fee. Alternatively, you can head to their criminally underrated in-house cinema to catch an art-house film.
Watch a Cirque-Cabaret show
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Blanc de Blanc's Champagne Cirque-Cabaret show is completing a season at The West End Electric. If nothing else will keep you warm, surely some cabaret tunes and champagne will?
Buy tickets to Mindy Seu’s ‘A Sexual History of the Internet’
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L.A.-based artist and technologist Mindy Seu is bringing her acclaimed performance A Sexual History of the Internet to Brisbane – after two sell-out shows in Sydney and Melbourne. The show will unfold at a secret James Street location revealed only to ticket holders. And with just 45 seats available, the event promises an intimate experience that feels closer to a gathering than a performance.
Go vintage shopping
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Is there really a greater joy in this life than going to the thrift store with your best friends? It's an experience eclipsed only by finding a dream piece for a bargain. Brisbane is home to a slew of cool vintage stores – including a brand-new SWOP and weekly vintage markets.
Book in for some hot pilates
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Pilates has long been a favourite wellness activity in Brisbane. Exercising in temperatures between 30–40°C might sound a little daunting, but if you've tried it before, you'll know just how rewarding it feels when you reach the end of the session. Hot Pilates can help improve flexibility, challenge your cardiovascular system, and reduce stress even further.
Get your morning coffee and treat from a new bakery
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In the last five years or so, Brisbane's bakery scene has really boomed. Some have shot to viral fame online, others remain hidden havens for bread lovers and dessert aficionados alike. We've shared our tried-and-tested pick of Brisbane's best bakeries – from roller door bakehouses to off-the-beaten-trail French boulangeries that are worth poking your nose into.
Make a weekend pilgrimage to a local market
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The Brisbane market scene is hard to beat. And as the air crisps and winter really sets in, is there a better (or more wholesome) way to spend a weekend morning than browsing fresh produce with a hot coffee and a flakey pastry in hand?
