Happiness, Brisbane-style – here are four ways to boost your mood in the River City
Did you know that earlier this year, Brisbane was ranked among the top 100 on the Happy City Index? The annual list, compiled by the Institute for Quality of Life, evaluates a city’s overall happiness based on governance, economy, environment and mobility. We think that’s a pretty great achievement, but it got us thinking – what is is about our city that makes us so happy? If you’re looking for a dopamine hit or are planning a family outing soon, here are tips on where to find joy in Brisbane – one ice-cream, yoga pose and spa trip at a time.
Take in a film under the stars
One thing that never fails to make us happy is a good movie. While there are plenty of independent and large-scale theatres to catch the latest blockbuster comedies and action flicks, we adore rolling out a blanket and enjoying a picnic while we catch a film outside at one of Brisbane’s open-air cinemas.
On the first Saturday of every month, Little Bayside Park in Manly hosts Movies in the Park – bring a folding chair, rug or cushion and settle in. Over near iconic Council venue Brisbane Powerhouse and New Farm Park, Dendy Cinemas runs its own outdoor cinema, screening new-release films all year round (including dog-friendly sessions). Boasting 350 outdoor lounge chairs with wide armrests and wireless Dendy headphones, this cinema experience easily rivals the megaplexes.
Indulge in some free or low-cost exercise
The surest way to boost your mood is to get active, but you don’t need to be a gym junkie to feel the burn. Brisbane City Council has a full program of free activities to help you limber up, stretch out and find a sense of balance.
Every weekend, several Brisbane parks play host to a number of free yoga classes, including seniors yoga at Drevesen Park near the Manly esplanade, all-ages yoga at New Farm Park near Brisbane Powerhouse, yogalates at Bulimba Memorial Park on Oxford Street, yoga by the sea at Arthur Davis Park on the Sandgate foreshore and Beer Yoga sessions on the lawn at Felons Brewing Co. at Howard Smith Wharves.
Feel like pounding the pavement? Brisbane’s most popular run club, Parkrun, has a schedule of free trots taking place weekly – including runs departing from New Farm Park, the Wynnum Manly Foreshore and Arthur Davis Park in Sandgate. Club KT organises two free run clubs every week, one departing from Gasworks Plaza at 6:00 pm on Monday and another from Howard Smith Wharves at 6:00 pm on Wednesdays. Every Saturday, a laced-up legion of runners participate in Soso’s Run Club, which begins at Newstead’s Waterfront Park and heads along the Riverwalk every Saturday at 6:00 am.
Soothe the soul (and sore muscles) with a day-spa trip
If you’ve just partaken in some of the aforementioned exercise, or if your desk job is wearing you thin, a bit of pampering is a great way to fire up the dopamine dispensers. Soak Bathhouse in West Village, The Bathhouse in Albion, Iremia Recovery in Sandgate, City Cave in Bulimba and endota Spa in Rosalie Village are all sensational spots for a hot soak, cold plunge or a sweaty sauna session.
Have a different form of pampering in mind? Say no more. Doll up your digits at La Diva Nails at West Village, fix up your follicles at hair atelier Blow Salon at Albion Fine Trades and release tension and clear toxins with an acupuncture or cupping session at Camp Hill’s Ova Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine (just near Martha Street).
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Treat yourself to a scoop (or two) of gelato
Yes, we think the best way to put a smile on your dial is with ice-cream. Brisbane isn’t short on top-notch ice-creameries and gelaterias, so why not make a tour out of it? Anita Gelato cycles through more than 150 different flavours of handcrafted gelato, from pavlova and mixed berries to cheesecake.
Gelateria Cremona in Rosalie Village is a local favourite, beloved by many for its range of freshly churned gelato, including specialty flavours such as Earl Grey tea, zabaglione and black sesame. In addition to its highly regarded restaurant, Manly Boathouse is also home to a gelato and acai bar, with its passionfruit meringue sundae the perfect accompaniment to a bayside stroll.
This article was written in partnership with our friends at Brisbane City Council, which has helped shape lifestyle precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, Rosalie Village, Gasworks Plaza, Albion Fine Trades and Brisbane Powerhouse.