Blue skies, bright days, crisp mornings, cosy nights. Now that’s a Brisbane winter. We’re lucky to enjoy mild winters – the drop in temperature is simply a signal to start enjoying Brisbane’s abundant cool-season activities and entertainment.
We’ve got loads of suggestions for great outings, activities and freebies that will help you make the most of the winter months ahead – check them out:
(And be sure to add your own suggestions below. Come on, let everyone in on Brisbane’s “best of” winter activities and events!)
Performing Arts & Visual Arts
Immerse yourself in Brisbane’s arts offerings – take a look at our Performing and Visual Arts Guides to see what’s playing now, what’s on display and what’s coming soon.
Whatever your passion – ballet, theatre or music – there’s a wealth of winter offerings from our premier performing arts groups. Check out the cool-season programs offered by Queensland Ballet, Queensland Theatre Company, La Boite Theatre, Queensland Conservatorium and Brisbane Powerhouse.
Spend a few hours in the thrall of great art. There’s nothing better on a cold day than a trip to the art gallery, and this winter sees some truly spectacular exhibitions visiting Brisbane. Don’t miss:
- an exhibition of Pablo Picasso’s personal art collection will be held for the first time outside Europe at Brisbane’s Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA) this winter.
- Sidney Nolan: A New Retrospective at the Queensland Art Gallery. Sidney Nolan’s first major retrospective since his death presents an opportunity to unravel something of the artist’s enigma and understand his achievement throughout an entire career.
- Gordon Bennett exhibition GoMA. Presenting work from 1987 to the present, this comprehensive retrospective exhibition brings together many of the Notes to Basquiat 1998–2001 paintings and selected works from the Home Décor series.
Some like it hot
Winter is the season for indulging in good food and great wine. Brisbane is full of award-winning restaurants, so book a dinner for two (or more!) at a cosy restaurant, and enjoy the good life without feeling guilty about the calories. (You need extra nourishment to ward off the winter chills!) If you like your food hot, now’s the time to indulge in some mouth-watering curries.
Go shopping
Retail therapy: it’s one of life’s great diversions. And if it’s cold outside, you need to head indoors – to the shops, of course! Whether you’re shopping for the necessities or the luxuries, you’ll find the right outlet – from exclusive international boutiques and department stores to mega malls and factory outlets – in our guide to Brisbane’s best shopping haunts.
And if you’re looking for arts and crafts, fresh food, bric-a-brac or something unusual, try one of Brisbane’s markets. Alfresco shopping is a year-round activity in the Sunshine State.
See a good movie
Enter an alternative reality – go to the movies and see the latest release while tucking into a carton of fresh, hot popcorn. Yum. (Go on, indulge – winter is the season of comfort food!)
Stay in and relax
Order a gourmet pizza or get busy in the kitchen and make your own pasta, open a bottle of vino and cuddle up on the couch with a loved one for a cosy night watching your favourite TV shows.
Enjoy a weekend away
When was the last time you headed out of town for some much-needed R&R? Winter is the perfect time to head to a scenic hinterland or coastal retreat for the weekend. There are fewer holidaymakers around, which means less competition for restaurant bookings, tours and other recreational activities. Cosy up with a loved one by a roaring fire, go for brisk walks along the beach, take a walk through rainforest…the options are endless.
And if all else fails…
Renovate the house! We’ve got loads of helpful tips and guidance for those looking to give their house a make-over – extreme or cosmetic.
What are your favourite wintertime things to see or do? Add your comments below.
In winter I love enjoying a long leisurely Sunday brunch with mates. Nothing beats a yummy cooked brekky, great conversation and a nice hot coffee on a chilly morning.