Gather your family, friends and flame for these seriously fun science-filled days out
Have you heard the word? World Science Festival Brisbane is returning to our splendid city from March 9–13 with a massive line-up of events that smartypants of all ages can enjoy. So whether you want to impress a potential flame, have a mate’s date or you’ve got the kids in tow, here are three fun-filled World Science Festival itineraries that will blow your mind – and impress your nearest and dearest.
The date-night delights itinerary – Friday March 11
Those searching for something a little more out of the box than the traditional movie and dinner date-night combo will be happy to learn that World Science Festival Brisbane is full of fun – and spark igniting – things to do. After you’ve clocked off a little early on a Friday (we hope your boss isn’t reading this), meet your date at the Satellite Bar for a cheeky tipple. Afterwards, head to The Nucleus at South Bank Piazza to be part of the live audience for a special recording of Ockham’s Razor. This scintillating show is a weekly podcast and program on ABC Radio National that explores all things scientific – that can be packed into an entertaining ten minutes. Stick around for Fantastic Science x Pecha Kucha, which will see Australian music icon and science enthusiast Paul Dempsey, psycho-sexologist and Lovehoney ambassador Chantelle Otten and award-winning pain specialist Professor Tasha Stanton explain their scientific passions. Level up your romantic rendezvous with a pit stop at Maeve Wine for some lip-smacking late-night wine and eats. Talk about an after-dark affair!
The curious comrades itinerary – Saturday March 12
Gather your favourite geeky gals and guys, as World Science Festival Brisbane is brimming with entertaining activities to tackle with your mates. Learn everything you need to know about storms, sunny days and the odd tornado at Everything You Need to Know About: Weather at 10:00 am, before roaming through the Cultural Precinct to check out the interactive installations that are lighting up the area thanks to Curiocity Brisbane. Have a good ol’ friend’s feed at Fish Lane favourite Southside before popping back over the street to the Conservatorium Theatre at 2:00 pm so budding astronauts can gain some primo planetary knowledge at Space Race 2.0. Those who want to continue the celebrations may want to go home and freshen up, otherwise pull up a seat at the Satellite Bar for a well-deserved brew or join in some of the free activities across the precinct. When hunger pangs strike again, head across the road for an early dinner at Julius Pizzeria – the Tartufo pizza with mozzarella, smoked bacon, portobello mushrooms, stracchino and truffle paste is a must-try. Then, venture back to QPAC at 7:30 pm for Night of the Nerds, an electric evening that will see two all-star teams (including our fave Dr Karl) battle it out through a series of challenges and quizzes. If you’ve still got some steam, finish with a nightcap at hidden gem and dynamite drinks dispensary Maker.
The family-fun itinerary – Sunday March 13
It was Robbie Williams and Kylie Minogue that sang ‘don’t mind doing it for the kids’, but boy, isn’t it more fun when the family-friendly activities are actually fun for the whole family? Thankfully, World Science Festival Brisbane has got parents’ backs with a cracker-jack selection of events. Jump in to a day of family fun with children’s educator and entertainer Ranger Stacey and a stellar cast of the smartest, funniest and cutest scientists ever assembled at 10:00 am for the The Super Smart Slightly Silly Seriously Sensational Science Spectacular. Follow it up with some serious detective work at Mini Detectives at 11:30 am, where the youngsters can do their best Inspector Clouseau impression. They have the chance to help solve a (made-up) mystery by questioning the suspects to find their motives, using forensic science to find evidence, and cracking cyphers to catch a (once again, made-up) criminal! Quiet grumbling bellies by grabbing some lunch in South Bank Parklands – there’s something to suit even the fussiest eaters. After you’ve ignored, or given in to (depending on your willpower), pleas for post-lunch ice-cream, stroll through the Cultural Precinct back towards the Museum to check out the final day of City of Science, a jam-packed wonderland of interactive activities. On your wander, you’re bound to come across some of the eye-catching Curiocity Brisbane artistic installations sprinkled throughout the parklands until March 20. Finish up the fun-filled family adventure at Shipwrecks and Underwater Worlds at 2:30 pm, where Queensland Museum’s Senior Curator of Maritime Archaeology Dr Maddy McAllister will share some of her remarkable underwater adventures.
To check out the full program and to buy tickets, visit the World Science Festival Brisbane website.
This article was produced in partnership with our brainy mates at World Science Festival Brisbane, which is taking over our city from March 9–13. For those people that like to let their imagination roam free and get lost at the intersection of Art and Science (haven’t we all been there?), this year from March 9-20, Curiocity Brisbane is a key pillar of World Science Festival Brisbane. The Weekend Edition is proud to be an official partner of World Science Festival Brisbane.
To find out more about what’s on in Brisbane, head to our Event Guide.
