LILLYDALE FARM STAY

Upper Logan Road, Mt Barney Via Rathdowney, Qld 4287

Ph: 5544 3131; www.lillydale.com.au

Lillydale Farm Stay offers the warmth of a genuine Queensland country farm. With a 4.5 star AAA rating, Lillydale is situated 90 minutes from Brisbane and the Gold Coast near Mount Barney National Park. Activities include animal feeding, egg collecting, milking the cow, horse riding, saddle club, pony rides, riding lessons, abseiling, tractor rides, native wildlife searches, bushwalking and in-room massages. Rates start at $295 per night for two adults and one child.

Space Junk

Space junkies can get their fix for cheap in the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium at Brisbane’s Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens. Astronomy shows run throughout the day including Cosmic Collisions, Black Holes, Secret of the Cardboard Rocket and their latest feature: Dawn of the Space Age.
When: Tuesday to Friday (10am-4pm), Saturday (11am-8.15pm), or Sunday (11am-4pm).
Where: Mt Coot-tha Rd, Toowong
Where: Level 1, Queensland Museum, South Bank.
Cost: Tickets are $13.70 for adults, $11.50 concession or $8.20 for children.
Contact: Phone 3403 2578 or Visit www.facebook.com/BrisbanePlanetarium

Get the best seat in the city 60 metres up in the air on the Wheel of Brisbane. The wheel has 42 air conditioned, fully enclosed capsules which provide 360degree views of Brisbane’s picturesque skyline.
When: Monday to Thursday (11am-9pm), Friday and Saturday (10am-11pm), or Sunday (10am-9pm).
Where: Cultural Forecourt on Russell St, South Bank.
Cost: Single tickets are $15 for adults, $12.80 concession or $10 for children.
Contact: Group bookings are available. Phone 3844 3464 or visit www.thewheelofbrisbane.com.au

Ride the river

See the city from its waterline on Brisbane’s iconic CityCat and ferry services with fares charged at standard public transport rates. The leisurely cruises operate from 24 terminals between The University of Queensland’s campus in St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton, with Wifi access the whole way.
Where: Between the University of Queensland and Northshore Hamilton terminals
When: Seven days a week, see timetables
Cost: Prices vary depending on the number of zones travelled. Paper ticket $3.90 for one zone or $2.65 with a Go Card
Contact: Visit www.translink.com.au for ticket prices and service timetables

Laserforce

Bring the friends and your A-game along to Laserforce’s futuristic double-storey battlefield for games such as Capture the Flag, Fugitive, Gladiator and Dead Aim. Rise through experience levels and earn special abilities in your quest for galactic domination with a laser-guided twist.
When: Sunday to Thursday 9am-8pm, Friday and Saturday 9am-10pm.
Where: Laserforce, 55 Ipswich Rd, Woolloongabba.
Cost: Single mission costs $8.50 for adults or $7.50 for children 15 years and under. Children’s 3-games special is $16.50. Membership $2.

Art fixation

Celebrate the Gallery of Modern Art’s (GoMA) fifth anniversary with a tour through the imaginations of some of the world’s most celebrated artists. See more than 300 drawings, prints and illustrated books by Henri Matisse in the Matisse: Drawing Life exhibition (December 3, 2011-March 4, 2012). Larger-than-life sculptures, paintings, film projections and installations by Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama are sure to impress with her Yayoi Kusama: Look Now, See Forever exhibition, which is display from now to March 11, 2012.
When: Monday to Friday 10am-5pm, Weekends 9am-5pm
Where: Stanley Place, South Bank
Cost: Matisse: Drawing Life tickets are $12 for adults, $10 concession, $9 for members and children under 12 visit for free. The ticket desk closes at 4pm daily. All other exhibitions are free.
Contact: Phone 3840 7303 or visit qag.qld.gov.au

Ten-pin bowling

Strike out with friends and family over the holidays at AMF Bowling. Please remember to practise your victory dances prior to entering the bowling alley.
When: 9am until late
Where: AMF Bowling Cannon Hill, Capalaba, Kedron, Loganholme, Mt Gravatt, Redcliffe, Richlands and Robina
Cost: One game, including shoe hire, $14.90 each or $12.90 for concessions. Specials available.
Contact: 132 AMF (132 263) or visit www.amfbowling.com.au

South Bank Parklands

South Bank Parklands has plenty for families this school holidays. The boat pool has reopened and some of the city’s best culture, entertainment and food can all be enjoyed in one of its nicest settings.
Where: South Bank, Brisbane. Some pools and parts of the parklands remain closed.
Cost: Free
Contact: (07) 3867 2051 or visit the website

Walkabout Creek Wild Life Centre and Brisbane Forest Park

Discover remote gorges, sheltered pockets of subtropical rainforest, expanses of eucalypt woodland and spectacular views to Moreton Bay; all within an hour’s drive of Brisbane. There are picnic areas, lookouts and walking tracks throughout the park, which provides a rich and varied habitat for wildlife.
When: Daily (check website for public holidays), 9am-4.30pm.
Where: Brisbane Forest Park, 60 Mount Nebo Rd, The Gap, Brisbane 4061.
Cost: Adults $6, child (school age) $2.90
Contact: (07) 3300 2558 or visit the website

Thunderbird Park

Come for a feed at Thunderbird Park and enjoy one of the many activities on offer. Sample pizzas and snacks all day with a bonfire from 5pm and go fossicking for thunder eggs, take the adventure park ropes course challenge, go horse trail riding and meet local gem expert Rockodile.
When: 8-4pm.
Where: Corner Cedar Creek Falls Rd, Tamborine Mountain.
Cost: Park entry free, various prices for different activities. Thunderegg mine: adult $24, child (12 and under) $15.
Contact: (07) 5545 1468 or visit the website

Walkabout Creek Wild Life Centre and Brisbane Forest Park

Discover remote gorges, sheltered pockets of subtropical rainforest, expanses of eucalypt woodland and spectacular views to Moreton Bay; all within an hour’s drive of Brisbane. There are picnic areas, lookouts and walking tracks throughout the park, which provides a rich and varied habitat for wildlife.
When: Daily (check website for public holidays), 9am-4.30pm.
Where: Brisbane Forest Park, 60 Mount Nebo Rd, The Gap, Brisbane 4061.
Cost: Adults $6, child (school age) $2.90
Contact: (07) 3300 2558 or visit the website

Colmslie Beach Reserve

Adjoining the river, this sprawling park has enough to keep everyone happy including a sand pit, plenty of swings, slides and other climbing equipment. Have lunch at one of the pleasant riverside tables or barbecues.
Where: Colmslie Rd, Murarrie
Cost: Free
Contact: (07) 3403 8888

 

Roma St Parklands

An oasis in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD, Roma Street Parklands has 16 hectares of green space to explore. Find a shady spot for a picnic and download activity sheets, including I spy and an adventure trail, from the Roma Street Parklands website to keep kids entertained. When: Open all day every day. Spectacle Garden from dawn to dusk.
Where: Parkland Blvd, Brisbane.
Cost: Free
Contact: (07) 3006 4545 or

visit the website

Kit up in battle fatigues and declare war on boredom

Take aim Laser and Paintball Skirmish is available at Mango Hill during the holidays. Laser is available for all ages. Paintball for those aged 15 and above. Mango Hill Skirmish owner Dennis Bidlake says  the attraction of playing shoot-em-up in the bush is all about escaping the mundane weekly routine.

When: Seven days a week, morning session 9am-noon afternoon 3-6pm until December 22.
Where: Lot 998m Richard Road, Mango Hill.
Cost: Laser Skirmish is $35 for a three-hour public session. Private sessions with a minimum of 20 people start at $45 a head. Paintball costs from $40 a head for a 100-ball package  to $220 a head for a 1500-ball package.
Bookings: Phone 3203 1647 or visit www.mangohillskirmish.com

Fun by the river

Embrace your spirit of adventure by kayaking, abseiling and rock climbing around the beautiful Kangaroo Point Cliffs with the Riverlife Adventure Centre. All Riverlife adventure sessions are guided by qualified and experienced instructors who are happy to cater for individual requirements, so no experience is necessary. Participants must be at least eight years of age.

When: Monday to Thursday 9.30am to 4.30pm; Friday to Saturday 9.30am to 10pm; Sunday 8.30am to 5pm
Where: Naval Stores, Lower River Terrace, Kangaroo Point, Brisbane
Cost: Abseiling from $39, kayaking from $39, rock climbing from $49
Contact: (07) 3891 5766 or visit www.riverlife.com.au

Rock climbing

For a twist on the usual school holiday fun, try indoor climbing. West End’s Urban Climb has more than 200 routes from beginner to advanced levels. New climbers over 13 must attend a demo climb to learn belaying techniques, then it’s onwards and upwards.

When: Demo climb times during school holidays – Mon-Fri 12-8pm, Sat and Sun 10am-4pm.
Where: 2/220 Montague Rd, West End, Brisbane.
Cost: Adult $30, Teenagers 13-18 $28, and children under 13 $23 (children as young as three can take part in rock climbing)
Contact: (07) 3844 2544 or visit www.urbanclimb.com.au Please visit the website for important information regarding waivers for people aged under 18, which must be signed by a parent or guardian before climbing.

Parkland pleasure

Enjoy a slice of nature in the heart of Brisbane at the Roma Street Parkland. Explore its 16 hectares of flora and fauna, climb through the playground or just relax over a family barbeque.
When: open daily
Where: 1 Parkland Blvd, Brisbane, adjacent to the Roma Street Railway Station
Contact: Phone the Parkland Administration Office on 3006 4545 or visit www.romastreetparkland.com

MT BARNEY LODGE

1093 Upper Logan Rd, Mt Barney
Ph: 5544 3233;
mtbarneylodge.com.au

Mt Barney Lodge, an eco-accredited retreat with the closest accommodation to World Heritage-listed Mt Barney National Park, specialises in “glamping” in deluxe camper trailers. For extra large groups, they also offer Queenslander homesteads, with their biggest homestead sleeping up to 15 people. Their qualified outdoor leaders offer adventure experiences such as rock climbing, abseiling, a kid’s night adventure, or bushwalks.

Glamping from $80 per night for two people. Huts from $120 per night for two people, and Homesteads from $300 per night for up to four people.

SOUTH BANK FIREWORKS

Join the crowds at Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands in a fenced alcohol-free location for all to enjoy.

The 8.30pm display is set to big band and jazz music; at midnight it’s to classical music.

Best vantage points are the Cultural Forecourt, outside QPAC, and along the Clem Jones Promenade.

If you don’t want to enter South Bank, a good vantage point is Mt Coot-tha along with many high points around the City.

SEGWAY XPERIENCES

Think and move. For some people, that’s a challenge on its own made even more difficult on a space-age Segway at Segway Xperience’s Gold Coast.

Challenge your mates to Segway croquet or seglympics. Or just do five laps of the all-terrain track and get five laps for free!

If you’ve got a group of 20, create a human fussball team and bring to life the table-top fun.

Info: www.xperiences.com.au

STUNT SCHOOL

Step aside Jackie Chan, Stunt Academy at the Gold Coast will have you balancing, tumbling, sliding and fighting your way into the spotlight, doing professional tricks at tourist paces!

And, if you’ve ever fantasized about setting a mate on fire, here’s your chance.

The half-day Stunt Academy Adventures are held under professional supervision and include martial arts, pyrotechnics and stunt vehicles! You can even take home a DVD of your heroic actions.

Info: www.stuntacademy.com

IT’S A BLOKES THING

Looking to get away from it all with ‘the boys’? Want an adrenalin-packed adventure but don’t want to travel too far?

Look no further than our own Gold Coast, which is packed with high-octane adventures to get your blood pumping on the ultimate ‘mancation’.

So get off the couch and get amongst it with our guide to the ultimate bloke’s tour of the coast.

Compiled by Tourism Queensland.