More about Christmas in Brisbane
Ah summer...the thought of Christmas, school holidays and Brisbane's humidity has some of us jumping up and down in anticipation and some of us wanting to migrate somewhere snowy! If you're in the latter camp and you feel a hot flush coming on just thinking about summer's heat, then we've got some tips for you to survive Brisbane's hottest season.
Tip 1: Just add water
Plants need it, kids love it and water can be the one thing that keeps you sane these holidays. If you don't have a pool of your own, Brisbane has plenty that are open to the public.
Southbank has three pools to choose from - there's a fun, fountain-filled play pool for the young and the young at heart, a sandy beach where you can pretend you're at the coast while looking at the beautiful city skyline and a deeper pool for more confident swimmers.
There are plenty of public pools with waterpark features in Brisbane. These have serious pools for laps and fun pools for floating, sliding and playing. Bring along an eski with a watermelon sitting on some ice cubes and you'll have hours of cool fun with happy children.
If you're happy to spend a bit and you want the biggest waterslides and most fun, why not try heading down the coast to one of the theme parks?
The Brisbane River is one of our city's most beautiful features and you can keep cool in a park bordering the river, sitting under a giant Moreton Bay Fig, while you watch people kayaking and rowing on the river. If you'd like to expend a bit more energy, you can join them!
Tip 2: Follow the airconditioning
City or suburban shopping malls can be havens for anyone stressed by the summer heat but, if it's just before Christmas or just after, you might find the stress of keeping your footing among the hordes of shoppers a bit too much for you. Don't despair. There are plenty of other beautifully cool, airconditioned venues you can explore.
Many families make a bee-line for the Cultural Centre, where kids can explore the Museum and enthuse over dinosaur bones, experience art and special kids' exhibitions at the Art Gallery or GOMA. The State Library has a welcoming room for children, where they can crawl, climb and play, take part in yoga, listen to rhymes and just chill out with a book.
But you don't have to have kids to enjoy the Cultural Centre. Take a quiet stroll through the art galleries, admiring our contemporary artists and their work, as well as the classic masters. If you're like me, you could lose yourself for days at a time in the State Library, discovering Brisbane's history and reading modern treasures.
Tip 3: Relax and unwind
When you're hot and flustered, a cool cinema can be the best ticket to escape the heat. Relaxing in a comfy chair, sipping an icy drink and watching some of the season's blockbusters sounds pretty perfect to me.
Tip 4: Staying at home
If the thought of leaving the house and walking anywhere is too much for you, there are ways to stay cool at home, even if you don't have airconditioning. If you have a deck or verandah where you can catch a bit of a breeze, go there. Even if the breeze feels like it's blowing straight from a furnace. Take a bowl of cold water with you and a flannel. Put your feet up and soak the flannel then wring it out and place it wherever you're hottest. The breeze will cool the water on your skin and make you feel cooler, even if it's only briefly. Keep repeating for as long as you need to. Take a good book and a long cold drink with you and dream your way to cooler climes.
By Katherine from the ourbrisbane.com team
What are your tips for staying cool in summer? We'd love to hear how you keep your cool.
