First of all, eating good food is always a great pastime and now there is a whole extra day to do it. If you didn’t already know, Queensland Week is on now so what better way to celebrate by eating something that is quintessentially Queensland. Several eateries in Brisbane are plating up Queensland Week specials such as Kingaroy pork cutlets and potato and leek croquettes at The Regatta’s Boatshed and Thai flavoured tiger prawn and Queensland pineapple at Julia’s Pantry. If you want something meatier, why not go for a good old-fashioned steak at any of Brisbane’s prime carnivore hotspots – The Norman Hotel is hosting a Queensland Beef Mastersteak BBQ which will include mouth-watering morsels of meat from Diamantina, ham steaks, Moreton Bay Bug toppers and Queensland banana splits with macadamia nuts. If you want to sample some of Queensland’s best produce, head to cafe’s such as Gauge, Sourced Grocer, Gerard’s Bistro or Locavore and treat yourself to some fine local fare. Should you want to cook something for yourself, get out of bed a little bit earlier and head to the Queensland Day Markets at Margaret Street in Toowomba, Bakery Lane Providore Markets, Rocklea Markets or the brand new Red Hill Farmers Markets for some fresh fruit and veg.

You’ve filled your belly, now you want to get amongst the long weekend action. There are plenty of events to check out, including the Caxton Street Festival, the Newstead Roots Festival, the smooth sounds of the Brisbane International Jazz Festival, Brisbane Racing Carnival’s AAMI Stradbroke Day and The Milk Factory Hip Hop Block Party. If you want something a bit smaller, Remi is playing at Black Bear Lodge and The Medics is playing at The Elephant Hotel. Be sure to pick up some long weekend reads at the Lifeline Bookfest and celebrate the culture of our indigenous population at Indigi Day Out at the Redlands IndigiScapes Centre. Three of Brisbane’s top-tier sporting teams will be competing over the weekend – catch the Broncos, Reds and Firebirds at their fixtures this week. Should you want something inexpensive, check out some of Brisbane’s landmarks as they are lit up for Queensland Week or take the family to South Bank to enjoy The City Sounds as Brisbane musicians perform across the parklands. If you are looking to get out of Brisbane, why not take a trip to the Gold Coast for the weekend or spend a day at Sandgate, Redcliffe, Mount Tamborine or Samford. Lend a hand at The Planting festival, or host a picnic for family and friends at Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Kangaroo Point, Newstead Park or New Farm Park.