- Things that make your area special
- Pick up milk, bread and paper
- 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
The Remembrance Corner Fountain at Geebung RSL is used for ceremonial occasions, like Anzac Day. Marchant Park was the gathering place for soldiers heading off to WWI. Gympie Road was used from 1867 by Cobb and Co to transport passengers and goods to and from the Gympie goldfields. Taigum State School Bush Tucker Walk and Learning Centre is an enviro-centre with an Indigenous focus. Visitors are welcome. Contact the Principal on 3632 9888. The Chermside Historic Precinct at Early Street is home to three community organisations including the Chermside and Districts Historical Society and the 9th Battalion Museum Trust.
Shopping
Forgot a few things at the regular grocery shop? Why not leave the car keys behind and pick up what you need on the way home from the bus stop, or take a walk or bike ride to the local shops. Check the map for local convenience centres. The major shopping centres at Chermside and Centro Taigum are a bus ride away. Chermside also has entertainment arcades and cinemas.
Family fun
For kids: find your local playground - parks in Brisbane have anything from skatebowls to toddler play. Try Mulbeam Park, off Beams Road or O'Callaghan Park, Zillmere for family fun. One of Brisbane's largest parks, 7th Brigade Park, includes a kidspace playground, a tennis hit-up wall and bicycle training track for beginners.
For dogs: check out the local off-leash areas where Fido can release canine tension. Check out 7th Brigade Park, Chermside or Boondall Park, Taigum.
Take a break
Discover the secrets of your local area. Green thumbs know it: the best plants to grow in your suburb are the ones looking great in other gardens. Take a walk, have a look and talk to gardeners in your area to find out which plants like the local conditions.
Meet friends
No need to travel far for coffee or a meal - catch up with friends at Newman Road, Geebung. You'll find artwork reflecting a pioneering and rural theme. Check out the crazy chook machine artwork, created using recycled farm machinery.
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. Or, go for laps at the Chermside Aquatic Centre - 375 Hamilton Road (You'll double the exercise by walking there). Enjoy a round of golf at Virginia Golf Club. For fun and fitness, try your nearest Active and Healthy Park, including O'Callaghan Park and Mulbeam Park, Zillmere, both with basketball half courts. 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. Take a picnic to Marchant Park or explore the bushland setting of 7th Brigade Park, with easy walking trails (some with wheelchair access). You'll find sheltered picnic tables and BBQs, toilets and parking. The extensive walking and cycling trails also link through to Downfall Creek. Cyclists can continue on to Boondall Wetlands or take the track to the Moreton Bay foreshores at Brighton, Sandgate or Shorncliffe. Another bikeway follows Cabbage Tree Creek, with access from Roghan Road, Fitzgibbon.
Learn
Release your mind at Chermside or Zillmere Libraries where you'll find not only books but also CDs, DVDs, videos, free internet access, even storytelling sessions for children (phone the library for details). Chermside Community Hub also offers computers and internet access plus activities and classes for all age groups. The Visible Ink Space Zillmere (Shops 3-5/67 Dunsford Street, Zillmere) is a space for young people to meet, organise workshops and meetings, use resources like computers and printers and connect with local agencies and activities.
Useful info
Chermside Library 3403 7200 Zillmere Library 3403 1455 Call Council 24 hours 7 days 3403 8888.
