- Things that make your area special
- Get the kids and dog out of the house
- Take a break from your routine
- Meet friends you haven't seen in a while
- Exercise for 30 minutes
- Plan something for the weekend
- Release your mind
- Get more information
Snapshot
Green thumbs should visit the Greening Australia cottage at Paten Park, The Gap for tree planting, bush regeneration and environmental education. Corra-mulling Park at The Gap is believed to be named for an Indigenous phrase meaning 'flat rock' (a feature that you can see across the creek). Ithaca Creek was named after the Greek birthplace of Lady Bowen, wife of Queensland's first governor. The Slab Hut Farm at 847 Mt Nebo Road, The Gap, is a heritage-listed farmhouse, established as a dairy farm in the 1890s. Mt Coot-tha was once called One Tree Hill because the timber at the top was cleared, leaving a lone, large eucalypt. Coot-tha is an Indigenous word for honey.
Family fun
For kids: check your local playground - parks in Brisbane have anything from skatebowls to toddler play. In your area, try Wittonga Park, The Gap for family fun with a huge playground, park area for functions and BBQs. Other parks to visit include Walton Bridge Reserve, The Gap and The Woods Memorial Playground in Ashgrove.
For dogs: check out the local off-leash areas where Fido can release canine tension. Try Dorrington Park or Sunset Vista Park in Ashgrove or Paten Road and Wittonga Park at The Gap.
Take a break
Discover the secrets of your local area. Wander through St Johns Wood at Ashgrove and admire the beautiful houses. Take the walkway from Ashgrove Sports Ground and follow this along Enoggera Creek. Look out for Granite House, Judge Harding's stately mansion, famous during the 1870s and 1880s for hosting a party for Queen Victoria's sons.
Meet friends
Catch up with friends for coffee at Waterworks Road at The Gap or Ashgrove or MacGregor Terrace, Bardon. You'll find some quaint little places with great views of the city. Spend some leisurely time discovering these interesting pockets of cafes and boutique retail stores.
Exercise
Who's got time? Everyone, if you make exercise part of your everyday life. You could walk to the nearest bus stop and catch the bus to work, or take the kids to school. 3 x 10 mins daily exercise is recommended for good health. For fitness and fun, try your nearest Active and Healthy Park including Alfred and Lucinda Best Park at The Gap or Bowman Park in Bardon. A great bike ride is along Enoggera Creek from Walton Bridge Reserve. Why not join your local 'gonewalking' group for fitness or leisure walks with trained walk leaders? For details about walks in your area, phone Council on 3403 8888.
The weekend
Escape from the city to the great outdoors: and in Brisbane, you don't have to go far. Visit Brisbane Forest Park on Mt Nebo Road with 30,000 hectares of bushland. The Walkabout Creek Wildlife Centre has more than 30 kms of walking and cycling tracks plus horse riding and a ropes adventure course. Take a picnic or have a BBQ and enjoy the natural environment, right on your doorstep.
Learn
Release your mind at the Ashgrove or nearby Mt Coot-tha Libraries, where you'll find not only books but also CDs, DVDs, videos and free internet access (phone the library for details).
Useful info
Ashgrove Library 3407 1940 Mt Coot-tha Library 3403 2550 Brisbane Forest Park headquarters 3300 4855 Call Council 24 hours 7 days 3403 8888.
