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Exploring Clancestry: Free Workshops & the GATHAA First Nations Markets

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🌿 About Clancestry Clancestry is one of Brisbane's most vibrant celebrations of First Nations arts, culture and storytelling, bringing together performances, workshops, exhibitions and community experiences across the festival. This year, it runs from 30 July to 8 August 2026 at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) in South Brisbane. We spent the day exploring the GATHAA First Nations Markets, meeting talented Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and makers before taking part in some of the festival's fantastic free creative workshops. It was a relaxed and welcoming day filled with opportunities to learn, create and support Indigenous-owned businesses, making it a wonderful outing for people of all ages and abilities. Best of all, everything we attended was free! 🛍️ GATHAA First Nations Markets The markets featured a variety of handmade arts and crafts, homewares, clothing and accessories, jewellery, food and sweet treats. We found them to be a wonderful op...

A Gothic Gathering in the Park: Our Brisbane Alternative Picnic Adventure

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If you've ever wondered what happens when hundreds of people dressed in spectacular gothic and alternative fashion gather for a relaxing afternoon, the Brisbane Gothic & Alternative Picnic is exactly that—and so much more. Held in a welcoming park setting, this community event brings together people from all walks of alternative culture, from traditional goths and metalheads to punks, emos and everything in between. It's a celebration of individuality, creativity and finding a place where everyone can simply be themselves. We recently attended the picnic for the first time, and it quickly became one of the most welcoming and visually stunning community events we've experienced. Here's a look at what made the day so memorable! The Atmosphere I found this event similar to Pride events—everyone was so welcoming, inclusive and friendly. It had such a relaxing and positive vibe. Pair that with a beautiful Brisbane winter's day that was sunny but not scorching, and i...

Weird, Wonderful & Totally Worth It: Ripley's Believe It or Not! Gold Coast

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As well as visiting Hello Kitty Café for my birthday, we also ticked another attraction off my bucket list—Ripley's Believe It or Not! Located in the heart of Surfers Paradise, Ripley's Believe It or Not! is one of the Gold Coast's most unique indoor attractions. Known as the "Odditorium," it's home to hundreds of fascinating exhibits that celebrate the strange, unusual and extraordinary from around the world. As you make your way through the attraction, you'll encounter everything from incredible world records and rare artefacts to bizarre animal displays, interactive exhibits, optical illusions and artwork created from the most unexpected materials. Every room offers something different, making it a fun experience for those who enjoy discovering weird and wonderful facts—just like me! The Weird & Wonderful Exhibits Most people spend around 1½ to 2 hours exploring, although you could easily spend longer if you enjoy reading the information panels and...

🦖 DinoFest Brisbane 2026: Roaring Fun for the Whole Family

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If your little (or big) ones are obsessed with dinosaurs, or you're simply looking for an exciting family day out in Brisbane, DinoFest at Kalinga Park in Clayfield is guaranteed to be an awesome time! It's a 90-minute session packed with towering life-sized dinosaurs, interactive experiences, hands-on activities and plenty of prehistoric fun. This family-friendly event brings the Jurassic world to life right in the heart of Brisbane. Giant Dinosaurs Come to Life Narrated by the live "Dino Ranger", you'll learn fascinating facts about dinosaurs as they make their way across the grassy area straight towards you. They look incredible, and what I particularly loved was that the sessions aren't overcrowded, so everyone gets a front-row seat! Even as an adult, I was patting and giving belly scratches to the baby dinosaurs—haha! The kids were having an absolute blast. There was nothing but squeals, roaring and laughter. I was actually surprised that not a single chi...

🎀 We Finally Visited the Hello Kitty Cafe... and It Was Kawaii Overload! 🎀

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If you've ever dreamed of stepping into a world filled with pastel colours, adorable treats, and all things kawaii, then the Hello Kitty Café on the Gold Coast is a must-visit. It had been on my bucket list for a little while and, as one of the newest themed cafés in Australia, it's quickly become a must-visit destination for Hello Kitty and Sanrio fans, as well as anyone who loves unique dining experiences and Instagram-worthy spots! It's a bit of a road trip for us from Brisbane's northside, but it was my birthday, so I wanted to do something special—haha! From the moment we walked through the doors, we were surrounded by adorable décor, cute character details, and plenty of pink. Of course, we couldn't leave without sampling some of the food and drinks, browsing the exclusive merchandise, and snapping far too many photos along the way! 🎀 First Impressions It's bigger than I imagined, with a decent-sized seating area and a separate merchandise shop next door....

Wings, Whimsy & Wonder: Our Day at Faeries & Folklore

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There’s something truly special about stepping away from everyday life and into a world filled with magic, imagination, and wonder. That's exactly what we experienced at Faeries & Folklore at Pine Rivers Showground in Lawnton — where fairy wings, mythical creatures, and fantasy enthusiasts transformed the grounds into an enchanting realm straight from a storybook. A Magical First Impression From the moment we arrived, we were surrounded by colour, creativity, and excitement. Visitors of all ages embraced the spirit of the event, with many dressed as faeries, elves, woodland creatures, witches, and characters inspired by folklore and fantasy. The atmosphere was welcoming and vibrant, with every corner of the market offering something new to discover. It felt as though we had stepped through a hidden portal into a magical kingdom. Incredible Costumes Everywhere One of the highlights of the day was seeing the incredible effort attendees put into their costumes. Delicate fairy ...

One of The Most Intense Live Performances I’ve Seen in Queensland Was in Redcliffe

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When I heard a Japanese drumming performance was coming to Redcliffe, I was so excited. I had seen taiko drumming at the Sake Festival and Matsuri Brisbane before, so I already knew I really enjoyed it. What most people think is that it’s a calm, serene cultural experience—and it is—but it can also feel more like a rock concert mixed with theatre and athletic performance. It’s truly memorable. Redcliffe Entertainment Centre I hadn’t been here before, despite it being so easy to get to. The parking is free and plentiful. We got there quite early (just anxiety things), and the traffic was fantastic (unlike Brisbane and getting to QPAC). My only thought was that I wished the exterior lighting had been turned on earlier. There are many dinner options close by, including food available inside the venue itself, which surprised me. If you want to explore a little before a show, there’s the nearby Redcliffe Jetty, Suttons Beach Pavilion, or you can grab some teppanyaki at Tempest S...

We Found the Messiest Thing to Do in Maleny—and It Was So Much Fun

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When most people think of Maleny , they think of scenic views, cafés, and hinterland drives. We ended up in a blacklit room covered in neon paint, throwing colour at each other—and it was well worth the drive! I was looking for fun things to do during “birthday month” for myself when my friend reposted an ad for Messy Glow Co on Facebook. I had already tried the Splatter and Splash Paint Room Experience at DIY Invasion, which is similar, and we loved it there. I hadn’t blogged about it though, as it doesn’t accept Companion Cards. This place does! What Messy Glow Co actually is At Messy Glow Co , you can let your inner child (or actual child) go wild with ultraviolet paints on the walls, floors, yourself, each other, or on a canvas you can purchase for an extra cost. Protective gear is provided if you don’t want to get too messy. There are also headphones available for those with sensory needs, as the drum can be quite loud—not to mention the laughing and squealing from everyone ha...

From Lookout to Latte: A Relaxed Mt Mee Morning at Pit Stop Café

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Some mornings call for something quiet and unhurried. Instead of rushing from one thing to the next, we headed up to Mt Mee for a slow start to the day — fresh air first, breakfast second. I was really in need of some grounding  and wanted a gentle reset for my nervous system as we headed into the new year. It was the kind of outing that didn’t require much planning — just a willingness to take things easy and enjoy where we were. Exactly what I needed. First Stop: Dahmongah Lookout Park Our morning began at Dahmongah Lookout Park, a peaceful spot that feels instantly calming the moment you arrive. The lookout offers wide, open views and plenty of space to pause, breathe and take it all in. There’s minimal walking required, making it an easy stop if you’re wanting something low-effort but still rewarding. The gentle sounds of birds, the breeze through the trees and the open sky made this the perfect place to slow down and ease into the day. It’s ideal for sitting quietly, taking ph...