Despite the fact I swore my money would never pass through the hands of Fitness First again, here I…read moream starting my "new financial year resolutions" with a new fitness regime and with a gym that isn't that bad. In the five or so years since I was last a member it seems they've scrubbed up and pulled their socks up. You can have as much or as little guidance as you like and classes like boxing, body balance (a lot of Les Mills) and more should keep boredom at bay.

This is easily my favourite Fitness First in Brisbane - there is no better way to shed those kilos…read moreand feel fantastic than at Fitness First in Toowong. The reception staff always offer perky greetings and on Fridays, a bowl of fresh fruit for those post-workout munchies. Having never braved a personal training session of fear I may in fact hyperventilate, pass out, or worse, embarrass myself in front of the muscley trainers, there are plenty of them, and friends rave about how good their sessions are. Good for them. Personally, I'm a massive fan of gym classes - the RPM instructors are packed with ridiculous amounts of energy, and motivate you to the point where you think your lungs are actually going to explode out of your chest. They introduce themselves to each individual rider every session - and if you're a regular, watch out because they will shout out your name if you aren't keeping up! Despite being an Australia-wide chain, this particular Fitness First really adds a personal touch to their operations, and as a result, is always buzzing with fitness freaks and health-seekers. They also offer a child-minding service, complete with a large playroom which is supervised by the staff.

The water looked a bit suspicious but the views, day and night, were pretty nice along the length…read morewe walked. Going east into town; http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/-291b0icXW_k2UNYJNiWBw?select=6ozJY9nV9r4dfqP8Czu6IA#6ozJY9nV9r4dfqP8Czu6IA Going west to the convention center; http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/-291b0icXW_k2UNYJNiWBw?select=1pJjcmdAPt1UwRSHhoE1YQ#1pJjcmdAPt1UwRSHhoE1YQ All shots taken handheld in auto-mode, go Sony!

It is hard to live in Brisbane and not appreciate the Brisbane River running through the city. It…read moreis iconic and acts like the main artery of the city. Whether it is Riverfire, or New Years Eve, the River is the centre of attraction with families friends and the community gathering together to watch Everyone I know has a memory of the river, whether it is jumping in near the UQ colleges in a ballgown after Emmanuel ball, waking up in the wee hours of the morning to practice rowing along the river, gracefully catching the CityCat and watching the tourists snap photos of the Brisbane City Skyscrapers, or watching as the river burst its banks and flooded half the city. One of my fondest memories is sitting on a friend's boat on New Years Eve and watching the fireworks reflect off the surface of the water. It is hard to sum up the history and importance of this river to Brisbane, or mention all the things you can do on the river like rowing or even just walking along the Riverwalk. The Brisbane River really is something special to the city and while it is not the most perfect, clean river in the world, it is ours and I wouldn't change it for anything.

A great activity for team building or testing the friendship. Just kidding, it's a puzzle room…read morewithout the Saw-style fear component but that doesn't mean you escape the adrenaline factor. Three themes based on storylines involving Brisbane include clues and codes to crack in order to unlock padlocks with the next piece of the puzzle. But you only have an hour to do it, and may be going head-to-head with another team. I loved the historical aspect and it was such a rush without leaving the group of us murderous toward each other. I'm interested to see how my partner and I would work together, so I've already booked us in for another room this weekend. The hosts are also lovely and accommodating, and clearly have a passion for historical Brisbane as well as the puzzle room genre. Escape Room is a must try!

THIS PLACE IS AWESOME!!…read more It's a great place for a unique experience with friends or team building with colleagues to test your sleuthing skills! We did the barber shop and it was challenging but so much fun. Everyone's strengths were contributed for solving the crime and it really makes you think outside the box. The guy who works there, Stephen was very helpful and professional getting right into the spirit of the game - which got everyone else charged and ready!! There's a real team player ethos about the tasks which is rewarded afterward :) The facilities are top notch too. Seriously this is an amazing activity that will prove a successful recipe for a cracking night out!! Expect the unexpected!! Happy solving!!

What is there for two recent university graduates do on a Tuesday afternoon other than chill out in…read morePerrin Park and play in the playground? Perrin Park is quite beautiful with is expansive grassy areas, footpaths, fenced area to unleash your dog, plenty of parking spaces, clean toilets, fresh play equipment (some of which is still under construction since the recent flooding), and plenty of trees and shade to rest under. Tucked away in Toowong, this park offers a place to escape. The park is deceptively big with different sections split in the middle by a little creek. There are also some quite fun bike-things to play on. And the best bonus of all is that when I visited it today, there was a mama and a papa duck and 5 little ducklings (one for each star I give this park).

This is the sort of park I wish existed when I was a kid. As it is, I love it as an adult. Why?…read moreBecause finally they've put mini-roller-coasters in parks! Well, not exactly a roller-coaster - but as close enough as we'll get for free in a public park. What is described in elegant fashion by the Totaltravel website as "a pedal powered carson on a circular track" is like a giant toy train on a wheeled closed circuit. Unlike most trains, but similar to vehicular locomotion in The Flintstones, your feet are used to power the train. As fast as you peddle you can't break the kiddie-safe speed, but it's still awesome to ride, like you're a toy human in some giant's train set. I'm not the only immature one, either. The first time I glimpsed the roller-coaster addition to the park and yelled for the driver to stop the car, my companions (in their 20s and 30s) also got out and jumped on. That meant a few of us were late to uni classes. Totally worth it. There's old-school swings (read: new, but not awesome like a giant train) in the playground and there's also a rebound wall and off-leash park for dogs. *This biased review has been brought to you by the creator of the We Should Replace Public Transport With Roller-Coasters Facebook Group.

I had never heard of this place until my father suggested I join him and his partner for a wander…read morearound this park. This park is a bit of a mission to get to for anyone who does not live in the area but is worth the car mileage as it is a great place to hang out, have a picnic and roam around. I was not expecting much from this park but as soon as I entered the park, I realised how beautiful it was. There is something very serene about it, that instantly puts you at ease (so corny, I know). The park is very spacious too making it perfect for any picnic parties, it would be a lovely place to jog or walk around. When I visited the place, I even noticed people fishing from the deck over the Brisbane River, I doubt they would have caught anything good but they looked like they were having fun and enjoying the views. If it wasn't for its inconvenient location, I would visit this park more often as it really is a beauty.

If you like taking your kids to parks with playgrounds aren't guaranteed to be crawling with kids…read morealready, this is one of the secret parks you can still get a spot in. There are many trees around and 2 main sheltered areas with plenty of tables. There is also a boardwalk type play area and a rather large general swing and tyre play area about 20 meters away from the tables. Mostly under shelter too for those hot days. Bring sunscreen, a picnic blanket and some bug spray for hotter days, but mostly it's quite breezy if you're lucky. What I love about this park is that it's situated in the middle of Sherwood Forest, where Robin Hood lives. Okay... there isn't a Robin Hood living in this forest, but we're still on the lookout for him and his men. Or my single friends are anyway. There are plenty of dads here with kids, and I keep having to tell them, it's not okay because these ones are probably taken. Besides from the nice atmosphere, there are also BBQ facilities, toilets and lots of bins in case you want to orchestrate a kids birthday party here. There is a pretty big carpark and on the weekends there is usually a coffee van parked in one of the slots for your caffeine needs early Saturday morning. I love this park because it's hidden away and not that many people know where it is yet, for those mums and dads out there looking to take their kids outdoors somewhere for free, maybe have a picnic... this is a pretty good hidden gem of a park really close to the city. Not really that super close to public transport, but it's definetely driveable.

Excellent heated pool. The aquatic center also has a shower and a smaller training pool for newer…read moreswimmers. People and staff are extremely friendly and most of the swimmers are also friendly and respectful. For new people, here are some of the "unofficial rules" that I didn't really know about and I learned the hard way: 1. Slower swimmers stay on the right side lane. I got dirty looks for swimming slow in the middle lanes. 2. Always swim on your left lane. 3. Rinse off in the shower before entering the pool. Also the pool is saline water so your skin doesn't turn into a raisin after swimming for hours.

Destroyed by the floods of 2011, the UQ pool is yet to return to its former glory, but the…read moreconstructions look to be taking shape nicely, with the pool relatively unchanged and a nice new club house nearing completion. Prior to the floods, the UQ pool was a popular place for those wishing to get their exercise in the water after a day at uni and for the lazier breed of student, like myself, who just enjoyed a paddle. During my college days, my friends and I would wander across campus with towels over our shoulders to take a dip in the pool and lay on the grassy slope for some sun and people-watching. Revised entry prices and opening hours are yet to be announced for the new aquatic complex, but one of the great things about the pool before the floods was that entry for UQ students was nice and cheap. Hopefully, it will stay that way, as entry to regular town pools is too pricey for my liking.

The Spring Hill Baths are an absolute gem, tucked away in Brisbane's inner city. First built in…read more1886, this 25m pool is completely covered and still has its colourfully painted changing rooms all around the perimeter of the pool. You don't want to do any hard-core swimming at the Spring Hill Baths; rather, it's a lovely place to float and soak up the beautifully restored surroundings and to imagine you've been transported back to Brisbane's yesteryear. As with all town pools, entry fees are a little pricey: Adult - $4.60 Concession - $4.00 Children - $3.30 Under 2yrs - free Hours vary between Summer and Winter, so best to check the website: http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/whats-on/Whats-on-database/venues/index.htm?q_venue_id=464 Finish your visit to the Spring Hill Baths with a Boa Constrictor or Fizzer from the kiosk!

I'm a sucker for heritage buildings. I also enjoy lolling around in the water. The Spring Hill…read moreBaths have been providing me and many other Brisbanites with a lovely body of water to throw ourselves into since 1886. The multicoloured bather's pavilions that border the pool's perimeter remind me of the English seaside. They hold lots of swimming classes here so it's not ideal for laps, but as I said I prefer to loll around and look up at the sky. At only 25m, the pool isn't ideal for hardcore lappers, but it's a great place for a relaxing splash around. I love how the outside wall gives no indication of what lies inside, and the transition from city street to yesteryear swimming pool takes my breath away a little bit every time. On a hot day in the city, there's something so simple and satisfying about engaging in the timeless pastime of a swim and an ice block on the walk home.

Urban Climb is one of those places where you can just let go and hang out; though probably not…read moreliterally. I used to be scared of heights, so a friend decided the easiest way to get over it would be to scale a wall of about 10 meters while secured with a harness. It worked, albeit with much yelling and, 'I'm not letting go of the %$##@! wall!' But now I'm hooked. To be fair, people can start off at around 5 meters and work thier way up to a giant 12 meter waterfall and nose style wall (massive upper body strength training, oh the pain...), and for people who just want to try boulering there is also a 3 meter high bouldering wall. Prices vary, but average at about $25-$30 a climb (if you're renting equiptment, but you can bring your own harness and shoes), and its for unlimited climb time. You will need a partner to belay you, or Urban Climb organise singles nights (check out thier website for more details). The staff are great, and the walls are ridiculously fun. the general vibe of the whole place is adrenaline pumped spider-people, which adds a pretty good atmosphere. Word to the wise though: if it's your first time, you need to do an introduction with the staff for saftey which is included in the price of your climb and is a one off, but dont usually start until after 5pm on Monday to Thursday, 4pm on Fridays, and 10am on Saturday and Sundays. And if you're renting shoes, bring socks. Seriously.

I've been a member of Urban Climb for a few years now and despite being a little more expensive…read morethan your average gym (and open for fewer hours), I'm very glad I discovered it and the joys of rock climbing. Wander in in the early evening on a weeknight and take a look at one of the fittest and hippest sporting communities around (plenty of eye candy too for people of all persuasions). In addition to boasting far more climbing space than their competitor indoor rock climbing facility Rocksports they also have a pretty well decked out traditional gym space - 'The Lab' - with free weights, machines, exercise bikes, treadmills etc. The main room is a large rectangular shape (about 400+ sq. m) of rock climbing space, with four walls to choose from. Beginner walls on the far left and right of the gym are perfect for learning the ropes (pun intended) while the overhung 'wave wall' is at the other end of the spectrum -- great for the more experienced climber or the learner wanting to push themselves and build endurance. They also have a couple of areas dedicated to bouldering (short intense climbing roots done without a rope -- a padded mat cushions your repeated falls) and a newly constructed wooden wall on the mid right hand side as you walk in. These guys seem to be doing pretty well for themselves and it's good to see that they are reinvesting in the business. The only downside for me is that the place has kind of slack opening times. They only roll up the doors at midday on a weekday (though they do stay open until 10pm). On weekends it's a slightly earlier opening time. It isn't cheap either, with a one-off visit costing a day tripper nearly $30 (gear hire included, cheaper if you have your own shoes and/or harness). I pay arounf $65/ month for my full membership, a figure which has probably climbed a bit (pun intended).

This was a nice koala sanctuary with other Australian animals too. Parking is free. It's about…read more20-25 minutes driving from the city center. Adults are $63; children 3-13 are $45. It looks like there is a bus stop here, so maybe public transportation can take you straight here. I didn't really like that there was no physical map. They had a virtual one that you had to access on your phone. It was very interactive and helpful though. They also had free wifi throughout the sanctuary, and it actually worked everywhere and to some extent in the car park. I estimate that the whole sanctuary can be done in 2-3 hours. Their animal experiences are charged on top of admission and include koalas, dingoes, sheep dogs, reptiles, raptors, and barn animals. You have to check their schedule to see what time they start. I wish they had an option to hold koalas! I also wish they had an encounter for the wombats, or something more up close. The wombat area is quite large and hard to find them. The kangaroo grass area was covered in little poops! You have to watch where you're stepping. There's some cafes with food, snacks, and coffee, but there are also plenty of picnic tables and covered seating if you bring your own food. They have something like 100 koalas here, so come visit Lone Pine if you love koalas! *also posted on Google Maps

I cannot talk enough about how amazing the platinum tour at Lone Pine Koala sanctuary was!…read moreEVERYTHING about it was just *chef's kiss* it was just me and one other person and I learned so much about the wildlife and what the sanctuary does as a whole. These memories will last a lifetime. Our guide was THE BEST! Bucket list checked for sure! Getting into a bit more detail, I purchased the ticket online with ease. They immediately sent an email with your ticket as well as when to arrive, where to meet, recommended attire, and what to expect. The tour includes a morning snack in the koala cafe and lunch. Upon arrival, I spotted our guide and was provided a form to fill out with food selections. I was very impressed with options as well as the helpings. The food was quite delicious and filling. I don't know if I will ever be back in Brisbane in my lifetime but this was well worth the price. I'm glad I took the plunge and went for it! Far exceeded my expectations!

This gym is way bigger than it looks, spacious, clean and with really good equipment. The manager…read moreis great and there is a really friendly atmosphere in the gym. There are a few PTs available as well as group training. All the usual equipment including free weights, squat rack and heaps of cardio. Plenty of parking in the centre and a Mr Flannery's next door for all your health food. All this equals a very happy (and fitter)customer!

From the owner: Get started at Jetts with no contracts, low fees and 24/7 access. You can workout on your terms at…read morea time that suits you.