From spooky season fun to plenty of festivals, it’s looking like our October calendar is going to be chockers. Take a look below for some inspiration on what you can get up to this month.
Embark on a sky-high dining experience at a vertical restaurant
Brisbane is home to plenty of incredible restaurants, but none (yet) that involve your feet hanging off the edge of a rooftop. But this is what sets Vertigo apart! Perched 17 metres above the ground on the edge of the iconic Brisbane Powerhouse, the restaurant offers stunning 360 degree views that are not for the faint of heart!
Celebrate spring at this stunning spots
Custom House is going all out for spring, with gorgeous, flower-themed areas and cocktails that’ll have you feeling happier than a daisy. If you’re feeling fancy, sit down for High Tea at Custom House, and sip on some rosé!
Train like an astronaut with LUNA: A Journey to the Moon
Step into Apollo 11 with a fully immersive VR astronaut experience. LUNA is a fully immersive VR experience in Brisbane that places visitors at the heart of the Apollo 11 story, combining astronaut training, a Saturn V launch sequence and lunar EVA tasks with real NASA archives and an AI guide!
Grab your tickets and get ready for blast-off!
Spot jacarandas around Brisbane
Flowering from October through to the end of November, the swathe of purple throughout the city welcomes the summer months and generally lifts our moods. So if you’re also in need of some flowering beauty, then lace up your shoes and head on out to these locations around town to see the jacarandas in full bloom.
Marvel at the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers
For the whole month, this Insta-worthy flower festival will take over Queens Park in Toowoomba, which is around 1.5 hours west of Brisbane. In previous years, the celebration has attracted massive crowds, and with good reason — the flower displays are magnificent and the events are guaranteed to put a spring in your step.
Join in on the Oktoberfest fun
Raise your steins and don your dirndl or lederhosen like a true Bavarian as Oktoberfest in the Gardens takes over Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday, October 10. Browse the German food stalls for traditional bites such as pretzels and sausages. Then head to the beer hall and grab a stein of imported German beer!
Enjoy a raucous re-telling of Pride and Prejudice
Don’t miss an award-winning adaptation of Jane Austen’s iconic love story! In Isobel McArthur’s contemporary reimagining, Pride and Prejudice* (*sort of), there are fights over men, money and microphones to a high-octane soundtrack of pop classics.
Having won Best Comedy at the Olivier Awards after a successful run in the West End, this playful production is ready to win the hearts of Sydney’s theatre-goers. If you want to see it most ardently, get your tickets here!
Dine in the dark whilst blindfolded
An experience that’s been backed by psychologists as an ‘amplified’ way to enjoy food, the enticing Dining In The Dark event returns to Brisbane so you can find out for yourself if it’s true. Book your seat here before they’re gone!
Stay in a bubble tent overlooking the Sunshine Coast hinterland
When it comes to weekend getaways from Brisbane, we’re spoilt for choice with so many great options within driving distance. But some places really make your jaw drop and have you feeling like you’re on top of the world.
Luxe Sunshine Coast hinterland retreat Petrichor Estate is one of those places, and they’ve launched a new offering for scenic escape seekers: a bubble dome atop a hill that boasts unrivalled 360-degree vistas, from the Glass House Mountains to the sea.
Relax and rejuvenate at this budget-friendly bathhouse
Nothing says luxury quite like a spa day, and at Evergreen Spa you can treat yourself to a day of relaxation for only $28! This day pass includes the sauna, magnesium hot or cold plunge pools, and the use of the bean bag relaxation area. You will also receive complimentary tea & coffee to enjoy while you unwind.
Hang out with The Fraggles
It’s time to raise the curtain on a show unlike any other. To celebrate 70 years of creativity, innovation, and beloved characters, the exclusive-to-Brisbane exhibition Make, Believe, Magic: The Worlds of The Jim Henson Company is bringing the antics of the world’s most famous puppets to QAGOMA.
Get into the spooky spirit at a pumpkin carving workshop
ClassBento offers a gourd-geous family-friendly pumpkin carving workshop that’ll get you in the mood for Halloween! Whether you want to create a silly, spook or classic jack-o’-lantern, they’ll provide all the tools and tips to help your imagination shine.
Experience a Candlelight Concert
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations like never seen before in Brisbane. Get your tickets now to bask in Vivaldi’s Four Seasons and more this October, under the gentle glow of candlelight.
Step into pre-revolutionary Russia with ANASTASIA The Musical
The classic story follows brave Anya on a journey to discover the mystery of her past. Pursued by an army officer determined to silence her, Anya enlists the aid of a dashing conman and a lovable ex-aristocrat, with unforgettable songs along the way like Journey to the Past and Once Upon a December.
Get your tickets here!
Spark ideas at the Brisbane Writers Festival
Australia’s oldest continuous writers’ festival is back for another year of connecting communities, showcasing creativity and finding just the right words! Join thousands of readers and writers in celebrating books and the written word, starting conversations and revelling in the power of storytelling. With a diverse program of author panels, speeches, performances and more, BWF has a story for everyone.
Book your own private swimming pool
It’s Airbnb but for private swimming pool hire. With the warmer months comes the season for swimming. Swimply makes this easier than ever, as you can book your very own private swimming pools by the hour, right here in Brisbane. Some, like the mineral pool above in Grange, even have inclusions like lawn games, table tennis and a barbecue to enjoy with your mates.
Celebrate the LGBTQ+ community at MELT
The cultural climax of LGBTQ+ art and culture will sail into Brisbane from October 21 to November 8, and it’s unleashing a star-studded lineup on the River City. The initial program announcement includes everything from burlesque, to interactive art to parties, and you won’t want to miss it, henny!
Enjoy a night of frights at this Halloween festival
Join the Halloween weekend fun at Festival of Frights, coming to Redcliffe Markets on Saturday, October 31. Enjoy a spooktacular evening featuring the region’s best street eats, live entertainment, family activities and over 200 stalls. Think face painting, scavenger hunts, fireworks and more.
Rock out at Valley Fiesta
Soak up the atmosphere and enjoy the best local acts for Brisbane’s biggest annual street party on Saturday, October 3. Featuring free live music and a huge line-up of artists, Valley Fiesta is sure to be an awesome celebration of all things music, culture and community, that will electrify the whole precinct!
Taste your way through the Good Food & Wine Show
The Good Food & Wine Show is a fantastic way for avid foodies to taste the regions. A place where producers and chefs gather to showcase and celebrate all good things food, wine and more.
The annual foodie fest will take place in Brisbane from October 23 to 25. Over three huge days, you’ll get taken on a sensory journey, with plenty of tastings as well as masterclasses and live cooking demos.
