Riverside dining, five-star hotels and hot-as-heck art exhibitions – here’s how to dine, stay and play at Brisbane Quarter
We think we’re speaking for the masses when we state if there was ever a time to set your out-of-office alert on, pack your bags and settle in for a relaxing weekend staycation, it’s now. Those in need of some R&R – with a side of adventure to boot – needn’t travel far, as you can find exactly this at inner-city destination Brisbane Quarter. Ready to dine, stay and play? If that’s a resounding “heck yeah!”, then luckily for you we’ve cooked up a stellar itinerary so all that you have to do is pack an overnight bag.
Day One
3:00 pm – check in at W Brisbane
We hope you’re ready to wine, dine and lap up luxury – because that’s what you can do in spades at Brisbane Quarter with a couple of free days. You’ll start your city staycay by checking in to the ultra-luxe riverside hotel, W Brisbane. This five-star palatial pad offers spacious rooms that feature river views and ultra-chic amenities. Oh, and if you want to be super fancy, you can visit the AWAY® Spa to detox, de-stress and rejuvenate with top-notch treatments, mineral-rich vitality pools, his-and-hers saunas and relaxation pods.
5:00 pm – sip cocktails by the pool
Now you’re all checked in and relaxation mode is well and truly engaged, it’s time for a cheeky cocktail. Jump in the elevator and head to W Brisbane’s poolside haunt WET® Deck and soak up stunning river views, DJ beats and a killer atmos. For a pre-dinner snack, tuck in to some lobster chipotle tacos with Baja slaw, Queensland tamarillo salsa and manchego cheese, or try the wagyu beef zucchini flowers with feta spinach mousse. Wash your snacks down with some tastebud-tingling cocktails – our favourites are The Good Witch (Belvedere Vodka, De Kuyper Watermelon, sage and elderflower extract, watermelon juice and passionfruit foam) and the All That (Havana Club 3YO Rum, Milton Spanish Dark Cane Rum, Sailor Jerry Spiced Rum, falernum, lime, pineapple and pawpaw).
7:00 pm – whet your appetite with a delicious dinner
By now your tummy may be grumbling but fret not, eager feaster, as you’re well placed to take your tastebuds on a culinary journey. You can lap up lavish Italian eats at alfresco dining locale Persone (lobster tagliolini, here we come!) or wrap your chopsticks around salivation-inducing sashimi at top-notch Japanese restaurant Tenya. Phat Boy dishes up fiery Thai fare like chicken satay skewers and slow-cooked beef rib and sweet potato massaman curry, or heartily heap yum cha delights like prawn and kimchi dumplings, lobster tails and mango pancakes on to your plate at chic Chinese eatery Brisbane Phoenix.
Day two
9:00 am – brekky with a view
Once you’ve drawn back the black-out curtains after a well-deserved sleep in, get ready for another stellar day spent exploring, eating and enjoying your staycay at Brisbane Quarter. Start off with a crackerjack breakfast at Three Blue Ducks, where you’ll indulge in flavoursome fare made from locally sourced produce. Overlook the river as you stick a fork into spanner crab scramble with papaya and bean sprout salad, or fill your belly with the smoked salmon with crispy kale, poached eggs, sourdough, basil cherry tomato salad and herbed labneh.
Image credit: Installation view, ‘The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art’, GOMA, 2021/ Photographer: Joe Ruckli, QAGOMA
10:00 am – explore QAGOMA’s newest exhibition
Right across the river from Brisbane Quarter sits QAGOMA, an art-lover’s haven where you can get your fill of culture. Treat your peepers to QAGOMA’s latest exhibition, The 10th Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art (APT10), which features a whopping 69 projects by emerging and established artists and collectives from across the Asia-Pacific region. While you’re there, pay a visit to the QAGOMA Store – this beautiful boutique is brimming with locally made trinkets and eye-catching art.
12:00 pm – pinkies up for high tea
Back at W Brisbane is where you can get creative at Living Room Bar for the Eat Your Art Out high tea, an artistic high-tea experience created in partnership with QAGOMA. You can paint your own panna cotta, and indulge in delicious themed desserts like cherry chocolate profiteroles, Valrhona chocolate mousse tart, pomme verte mousse with hazelnut breton, and lemon-myrtle scones with sweet tomato relish. Savoury delights include warm confit-duck pie, lobster tarts, creamy truffle egg sandwiches, vegan scallops and wagyu beef with pumpernickel and cream avocado. Amp it up with perfectly paired themed cocktails like Till Death Do Us Art featuring Australian Distilling Co. Brisbane Gin, rhubarb, egg white, plum bitters and lemon, or try the tropical Oh My GOMA vodka cocktail which comes with an edible art print. Just remember to lift those pinkies!
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Brisbane Quarter.
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