Come March, summer has ended and autumn has begun but that doesn’t mean the fun has run its course.
March is a wonderful time of year, with so many incredible choices and things to do.
What are you going to get up to?
1. Wander around Brisbane’s new immersive night market
The twice-yearly Night Feast will pop up at the Powerhouse for the first time this March, bringing with it a jam-packed program of foodie delights and art installations. You’ll get to try some of Brisbane’s top restaurants all in one place, as well as enjoy a free art program, which includes everything from immersive installations and roaming performances to DJ sets, live music, and more.
2. Discover breathtaking landscapes at this multi-sensory Australian Geographic experience
Opening on March 11 at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, Australian Geographic’s Our Country will take you on a multi-sensory cinematic journey into the vast landscapes and wildlife of Australia through visuals and soundscapes. The experience showcases over 100,000 hours of footage from cinematographers set out to capture the country in its natural form.
Australian Geographic’s Our Country
3. Gather the gang for brunch at this café dedicated to corgis
Yes, you read that right. A café dedicated to adorable corgis, one of which has recently opened in Milton. At Corgi Garden, think deliciously sweet corgi butt buns filled with nutella, corgi prints in your coffee, as well as plenty of corgis roaming around since the café is pet friendly. Word on the street is that the Hong Kong French Toast is a must try!
4. Grab a drink from this stunning new waterfront bar
Brisbane CBD has just scored a two-level waterfront bar, and it’s totally worth sipping a cocktail at. Babylon Garden is serving up tapas and tipples with a Mediterranean influence, paired with epic views of Story Bridge and beyond. The new cocktail bar, which sports two al fresco terraces, comes after Babylon Brisbane opened their 120-seat restaurant back in December.
5. Join in on the fun when challenge room venue ‘Hijinx Hotel’ opens at Chermside
Hijinx Hotel opened up on the Gold Coast back in December, and in March, they’ll be bringing the fun up to Brisbane. At Hijinx, each of the eccentric and wild escape rooms are designed for a physical or mental challenge, containing a delightful game for you to combat in just four minutes. You’ll find themed rooms like the Titanic Room and one of giant lettered cubes, which promise to be as wacky as they sound.
Opening March 31st at Chermside Shopping Centre.
6. Treat yourself to a meal aboard Brisbane’s very first fine dining bus
Brisbane definitely hasn’t got a shortage of amazing restaurants. But it’s not every day you see a bus repurposed into a fine dining suite. Introducing you to Da Biuso, a first of its kind to arrive in our city.
After the concept was announced last year (which had us unduly curious, to say the least), this fine dining bus is finally opening its doors for lunch and dinner from Friday, March 3, with a first stop at Ascot Green, right next to the racecourse.
7. Watch the ‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ live stage show at QPAC
You’ve seen Rent. You’ve seen the award-winning film, tick, tick… BOOM! Now, see it live on stage when it comes to Brisbane. The autobiographical musical by Johnathan Larson, composer of Rent, is a love letter to theatre and New York City. See it with your own eyes when it comes to Brisbane’s QPAC Playhouse this March.
8. Catch an outdoor movie by the waterfront at Sunset Cinema
This autumn, we’ll be able to catch movies under the stars in yet another beautiful location. The Sunset Cinema returns this March with an excellent line-up of movies from fresh blockbusters to old classics and family favourites. So if you want to get your outdoor film fix now that Moonlight Cinema is done for the season, look no further.
9. Drive down to the Gold Coast and visit the new world-exclusive pop art exhibition
‘Pop Masters: Art from the Mugrabi Collection’ is a world-exclusive exhibition that’s opened at HOTA on the Gold Coast, featuring original artworks from some of the world’s most famous pop artists such as Andy Warhole, Keith Haring, and more. The exhibition takes you on a journey into pop art’s history and its influence on how we see art.
While you’re around, be sure to dine at HOTA’s Palette restaurant to try their Pop art-inspired tasting menu. Also, if you want to make a weekend out of it, Sheraton Grand Mirage is running a ‘stay and play’ package deal for the exhibition.
10. Putt your way through this Candyland mini golf course
In town for the Easter season, this ultimate sugar hit at Victoria Park’s Easter Candyland Putt Putt will have you feeling eggs-tra special. They’ve dressed up the course all sweets themed again, so you can expect the unexpected and head on down for some mini-golf fun.
11. Experience a Candlelight concert
Candlelight concerts bring the magic of a live, multi-sensory musical experience to awe-inspiring locations never before used for this purpose in Brisbane. Discover the music of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, Warner Bros and more at St. John’s Cathedral this month under the gentle glow of candlelight.
More info here.
12. Turn off the lights for Earth Hour
Earth Hour is a global movement meant to bring attention and urgency to protecting the planet from global warming, climate change, habitat destruction, and other environmental changes threatening our planet’s livelihood. The event began in Sydney in 2007, and has since spread to over 190 countries and millions of households.
The most common way to participate in Earth Hour is to switch off all non-essential lights in your home for one hour on Saturday March 25 at 8:30pm local time.
13. Visit a hidden beach near Brisbane
One thing we might not have right on our doorsteps here in Brisbane is beaches (unless you count the artificial Streets Beach in South Bank). Fortunately though, we’re only a short drive to some of the Sunshine State’s most stunning white-sand beaches, from the Gold Coast to the Sunshine Coast and beyond. Some of the more popular beaches can get quite crowded, though, so we’ve rounded up our favourite hidden beaches near Brisbane, most of which you can escape the crowds at.
14. See a free film at Felons
When it comes to films, sometimes new releases just don’t compare to the classics. Felons Brewing Co is whipping out the bean bags, beer and big screen for more weekly movie nights. Felons’ Cinema Sessions will take place in the brewery’s Barrel Hall once a week until April 18, so come along, sink a schooner, and enjoy a free flick.
15. Get your seafood fix at Motion Dining
Motion Dining at Brisbane Marriott is serving up a feast of Australian seafood every Friday and Saturday evening from 5 – 9.30pm, from oysters and pacific prawns to spanner crab, lobster, and house smoked salmon and mussels.
Paired with your seafood is a choice of Chandon sparkling wine or Moët & Chandon.
Seafood and Champagne at Brisbane Marriott
16. Sing along to your favourite Disney tunes at this uplifting musical show
This March, South Bank Parklands will become the backdrop for two new music events, one of which you can sing along to your favourite Disney songs at. Grab your picnic blanket, find a good spot on the lawn, and enjoy the uplifting energy these performances have to offer.
17. Sweat and soak at this new wellness hub in Morningside
TotalFusion Morningside is the gym of your dreams, and much more than just a place to work out. It combines all the modern equipment of a fitness studio with the facilities of a rejuvenating spa. This means you can sweat and recover, all in one place.
18. Learn how to make a Turkish mosaic lamp at this crafty workshop
Turkish mosaic lamps are stunning. Their unique geometric patterns and designs and range of stunning colours and forms make them a superb addition to any space. But while an original lamp handcrafted in Turkey can set you back a pretty penny, Art Masterclass is teaching the ancient mosaic tradition here in Brisbane so you can create your own.
19. Embark on a mystery picnic in New Farm
If you like your picnics with some mystery added to them, a self-guided search for a basket containing a gourmet picnic might just be what you’re looking for. You will have to work as a team to solve the riddles and interactive clues on your smartphone to find your thoughtfully packed picnic basket.
Learn more about this all-inclusive mystery picnic.20. Cruise over to Moreton Island and snorkel the Tangalooma Wrecks
Departing from Brisbane, the day cruise takes you across the bay to Moreton Island, where you can spend the day exploring Tangalooma Island Resort, with your choice of touring activity. Spot local marine life on the Marine Discovery Cruise, snorkel the famous Wrecks or enjoy the ATV quad bike adventure ride. Packed with all of the day trip essentials, it’s is a great way to experience your choice of unique touring expedition in nature’s playground.
Day Cruise to Moreton Island – tickets
21. Down an iced cold beer at this new brewpub in Wilston
Wilston has scored a new brewpub housed in a revamped WWII air hangar, with a bar inside made from the last-ever flown Ansett 727 plane. When it comes to drinks at Archer Brewing, you can find a range of locally brewed beers including lager, Pilsner, Pale Ale, I.P.A and Rice Lager as well as a tasty Apple Cider made with fresh Stanthorpe apples.
22. Staycation in or near the city
Sometimes a staycation without travelling too far is just what we need to relax and recharge after a busy week. Our favourite hotels to staycation at in the city are Brisbane Marriott and W Brisbane. Then on the Gold Coast, a gorgeous hotel to stay at by the beach is, of course, the Sheraton Grand Mirage.
23. Sip bottomless vino at this French wine festival
Why go all the way to France to experience the European country’s famous wine culture when you can taste it all right here in Brisbane? After a hosting a successful afternoon wine festival last year, Southside and Kiki are set to serve up a French edition this March, teaming up with Half Moon Wine Store again, this time to showcase the best French wine in the biz.
Fresco Wine Festival: French Touch
24. Gaze at the thought-provoking ‘Air’ exhibition
Showcasing the eye-catching works of over 30 Australian and international artists, ‘Air’ explores the element in its title with great finesse. Gaze at the number of installations on show, including a red neon-lit sphere of the world, mesmerising wall pieces, and more.