5 Free Ways to Enjoy the Summer Heat

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The long days of summer promise heat, the warm rays of the sun and fun-filled carefree weekends frolicking with family and friends. If you live in Brisbane your summer days are even longer, an advantage of choosing the Sunshine State to be your home. The best thing about summer is that there are a multitude of free activities to choose from as we enjoy nature's gifts. Indulge in lush forests surrounded by craggy mountains, the pounding ocean and salty air or the mighty Brisbane river. Don't forget to enjoy free activities organized by Brisbane City Council to promote your family's health and to instil community spirit. If you like it hot, don't forget to slip, slop and slap to protect yourself from UV rays whilst you lap up the goodness of the sun. Save yourself a lot of money by getting a natural tan and enough vitamin D to boost your longevity.

For five free ways to enjoy the sun, click on the following pages.

[SECTION]Have a Picnic or Barbeque[/SECTION]


Whether you want family quality time, would like to hang out with your pals or experience a romantic date with a special someone, pack your picnic basket and choose from a multitude of free venues across Brisbane. If you don't have time to prepare beforehand, just buy some marinated raw meat and slap it on some of the free council barbeques available. There are plenty of free barbeque spots dotting the Peninsula waterside at Redcliffe, Clontarf, Woody Point and Scarborough including some pretty close to the free Redcliffe Bluewater lagoon. A bit closer to the city, plop your picnic rug at South Bank or Kangaroo Point. If water is not your ally, try some of the public parks. Roma Street Parklands has gorgeous flowers in bloom at the Spectacle Garden, stroll at the City Botanic Gardens after a shopping trip at Queen Street Mall or let your kids run free at New Farm Park. If you want to stay in the city vicinity, have fun exploring with the free City Tourist ferry.
For other picnic options, have a look at these articles

[SECTION]Fly a Kite or Throw a Frisbee[/SECTION]



This activity is free only if you already own a kite or a frisbee but this can also be adapted for various other team sports like cricket, soccer or a playful game of tag. Pelican Park at Hornibrook Esplanade, Clontarf is a great spot to fly kites, which is why they have the annual kite festival at this very spot. Little kids can also enjoy watching pelicans being fed at 10 am each day. If you own rollerblades, skate down the South Bank waterfront and discreetly watch various people pass by as you whisk past them with the wind blowing your hair as the sun shines down on you.

[SECTION]Go hiking[/SECTION]



Although the lush forests will probably shade you from most of the goodness of the sun, sometimes you can have too much of a good thing. If you still want to enjoy the sun but would like some cool respite in between, hike through the Mt-Cootha bushland. You can either climb up to the top of the mountain for gorgeous views of the city skyline or hike to the JC Slaughter and Simpson cool waterfalls. If you are in the mood for a little drive, head to Mt Nebo, 28 km north of the Gap. Take a short walk through the remnant rainforest as you listen carefully to the chirping birds and the call of the wild. You can also head south of the CBD to walk through the Toohey Forest at Mt Gravatt if you would like to hike close to Garden City.

[SECTION]Swimming[/SECTION]



Being surrounded by water is in the majority of the population's blood, having been in that position in our early days of existence before being born in this world. Perhaps it is because of this that most of us take to it like a duck takes to water. Water brings with it a sense of peace and serenity as well as fun-filled laughter as swimming turns into playful splashing. Brisbane has a few free swimming spots where you can cool off on a hot summer's day. Read about the best free swimming spots within an hour of the CBD here.

[SECTION]Stroll Through the Markets[/SECTION]



Browse and gain design inspiration from homemade creations and embrace the diversity of uniquely handcrafted goods. Aesthetically pleasing on the eye, you never know what you will find at the weekend markets. This makes the whole experience intriguing and interesting. There are certainly plenty of markets around in Brisbane from the Power House Farmers Market at New Farm , to the West End Markets , and Redcliffe Jetty Markets at Redcliffe. Although not strictly a summer activity, the experience will be ten times better when the sun is out and the weather is clear.

Are there any other free activities that you can think of to enjoy the heat in summer?

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