Got a chance to see the Belle Lume Sculpture and just wow! So very aesthetically pleasing to the…read moreeyes. Very sturdy and beautiful!

From the owner: Over the last 40 years the staff of Natureworks has produced the masters for most of the "high…read morequality" fibreglass life-size animal art currently being sold on the world market. Natureworks has been sculpting moulding and casting life-size wildlife for almost 40 years. The collection of moulds of sculptural features now numbers over 2000 different individual pieces. Casts can be made in a variety of materials from Fibreglass, Glass Reinforced Cement (GFRC), Hard-Coated Urethane Foam and Cold Cast Bronze. New pieces are being created all the time. They can be adapted for domestic use, playground or zoological standard and are designed, reinforced & finished to varying standards as appropriate to its use.

My upbringing was heavily laden with astrological lessons. If I hear the terms 'conjunct',…read more'squared', or 'retrograde', my mind will spiral back to my teenage years where I spent a lot of time sitting at the kitchen table studying planets and their relationships to each other. As I underwent my astrological education, I developed a deep fascination with astronomy. This astronomical intrique led me to the Planetarium. I'm almost embarrassed about how many dates I've had there. I blame adolescent discussions regarding the 'mysterious qualities of Scorpios'. The cosmic skydome is where it's at. They have shows on there all the time (they play 2-3 times per day, so enquire ahead of time). Currently there's a show on called "Cosmic Collisions" which I like to think of as a space version of Demolition Derby. When you go to a show in the cosmic skydome, you walk inside the darkened dome and look up. You'll be sitting under an imitation black night sky. The lights are choreographed in a certain way so as to highlight details like certain constellations. And that's the boring stuff. To the Big Dipper and beyond! The shows usually cost between $10-$20. The Planetarium also has a mini theatre where you can watch documentary shorts about space related subjects. You can also take in factoids about space from the posters that hang along the walls of Star Trek inspired walk ways. Don't forget to check out the Planetarium store on your way out. This place is FULL of cool nerdy space toys. I think it's by far the best toy shop in Brisbane. Who doesn't love dehydrated space food?

Ever wanted to sit under a blanket of stars? Ever wanted to go somewhere romantic under the stars?…read more Learn about the solar system? Learn about the Mars Mission buggy thing... this place is for kids and adults, and it's undiscovered... not that many people know it's there, it's all hidden away across the car park of the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens. I love this, it's my dirty little secret getaway on a hot summers day. They have the cosmic skydome, an educational experience or walk if you may. They have a display zone, it's free, you can sit and see hubble telescope pictures or learn things about Mars... they show different things every now and then... there isn't a time limit, you can stay there all day. In the skydome there are shows, they last maybe 30 minute in length and you sit and learn about black holes and cosmic collisions, there are kids shows as well scheduled, tickets are very cheap too, mostly under $10. There is a kid in all of us, this is where you unleash your inner kid. I love love love it, and will be taking my children there for years to come.

Going to the cinema should be an experience. Blue Room offers just that and while there ticket…read moreprices may be a fraction more expensive, when stacked up against other cinema chains you're actually only paying approx $3-$4 more. Upon arrival you can collect (if you've pre-booked) your tickets or purchase for the session of your choosing, then join the line (not that it is ever very long) for the bar. Once at the bar you can select from a menu including cheeses, salamis, pizzas, chips, desserts, wine, beer and coffee. You can select to take it then or have it delivered to you in the first hour of your movie. The cinemas themselves are smaller and would seat maybe 40 people. They're cosy seats and in pairs with a small table in between including a call button should you wish to order anything throughout your movie. Our experience on a Saturday evening at Blue Room Cinebar was stress free and there was a calm and pleasant atmosphere. There was no rowdy teens, no mobile phones ringing throughout the movie and no notable hiccups. It's cheaper than gold class and seems to have a far more luxurious feel to it. There's only 4 cinemas so they're not screening mass number of films but the films they do screen are generally selected well.

I really like the Blu Room Cinebar and have seen movies here a few times. Although it does not…read moreoffer the largest screens or have the biggest range of films available, it is a nice alternative to "Gold Class" from Birch Carol and Coyle. Come here on a Tuesday where you can see a movie for only $10! Not only is this place a nice alternative to "Gold Class", it is also more intimate as most of the cinema rooms only fit about 20 people or so. You get large reclining seats and can enjoy dinner and a drink whilst watching your film. Word of warning though- since the cinema rooms are not very big, I advise you make a booking. Also, this is not really the place to go to on your own, you may end up feeling lonely as it is definitely suited to couples. The seats are placed in pairs making it more intimate. That does not mean you can not simply come here with a friend. If you are considering going to a "Gold Class" session, why not be a little unique and come here instead?

I recently went here for a Christmas party and saw the eminently offensive Aussie comic Jim…read moreJeffries. It was a full house and some of our party had to stand as the table couldn't accommodate everyone (though this was our mistake, not the venue's). The place has a cool and quirky feel with a couple of levels decorated in a homely kind of way. Rough brick walls are hung with pictures of comics who've graced the stage in the past as well as other novelties, including the iconic image of the theatrical face with 'neon brains' flying out. We had our dinner with the show and I have to say the service is pretty terrible and the food not too much better. You have to place your order at the left-hand side of the bar and the first struggle was communicating a point of mathematics with the bar girl. "Two and a half dozen oysters thanks." I said. "OK, 24 oysters then..." She didn't seem to appreciate my explanation of what a dozen is... You also have to know what your table number is or they won't take the order, which meant I had to go back and confirm. The food didn't take long to come, with the menu being fairly functional and designed to be churned out (they only do oysters natural for example and not Kilpatrick, to the chagrin of some of the party). The young waitress who delivered the plates quickly dumped them at one end of the table like she was urgently offloading some noxious piece of waste, leaving us to sort them out for ourselves. As for the food the oysters were OK without being mindblowing. My steak sandwich was much the same. A friends Caesar salad was mainly lettuce, with the conspicous absence of significant levels of all the delicious parts of the dish - the ham/bacon, dressing, egg and croutons. The food service was a bit of a joke, but hey, at least the show was funny.

The Paddo - an 'up the hill' version of the Caxton - fits the mould of the big ugly pub that can…read morefeed and water large numbers of people with ease and without style. Although the pub is a drab and soulless place to knock back a few beers, buried in its bowels is a hidden gem. Open five nights a week, the Sit Down Comedy Club is an intimate basement bar where new and established comedians have the opportunity to deliver their material amongst a close-knit audience. Our night at the Club involved a hilarious MC and a number of comedians who all managed to get the crowd going over an entertaining couple of hours. My advice: tee up a night at The Sit Down Comedy Club, but perhaps have your predrinks and dinner somewhere other than the Paddo before making your way into the basement.

Fresh, innovative, clever, good use of space, colour and culture!…read more Produce, organically grown at your use anytime of the day or night.. for, wait for it... FREE! What a beautiful, colourful way to make the most of our beautiful world. Situated near the ferry terminal is a wonderland for all who love tasty, well loved veg! My heart and eyes were captured as I noticed this absolute gem of a find today! Not having walked this way for a while my curious, nosy nature needed to find out what this was. I am impressed, South Brisbane. Thank you for the inspiration. All foodies need to get here and check it out. This really is a beautiful sight. Kids are welcome and encouraged to learn about this clever food scheme. So bring them too! I can't wait to revisit!

The student rate for tickets is $5.50 for a matinee showing. Might as well end the review there,…read morereally. Most of Oz is expensive, but not this place. They have one big screen and several pedestrian ones, but they show most of the major movies and are right in the middle of all the goings on at Southbank. Fair warning: you'll see ~25 minutes of ads before your show starts, including promos for surrounding business as well as movie trailers.

I've been spoiled by going to the Palace Barracks here in Brisbane as my first movie experiences…read morebut have to say the the Cineplex has its charm. Being located in South Bank, it is so accessible and placed right in the middle of shops, restaurants, etc. The ticket prices are very reasonable at $8.50 and $6.50 if you're a student. For a late movie on a weeknight, the cinema was super crowded. My film was being shown in cinema 5 which is the former IMAX screen so the screen is gigantic and theatre is huge. I really loved it because my film was action packed! I didn't enjoy the 30 minutes of commercials before the movie though. I understand a few but the worst commercial was even repeated twice!! Also, remember to bring cash. If you're wanting to watch a movie on a budget, the Cineplex is the place for you.

I'm a self-proclaimed lover of the silver ball, and I can say with confidence that the franchise…read moreowner, Tony Argery, appears to be passionate about pinball. I can say this because I have seen the finest examples of pinball for public play in this location. I went up there today and there is a Stern "Family Guy" and "The Sopranos". Both tables have been fully shop reconditioned and fully LED converted. They look and play fastastic! The pinball games are set at $2/play, which is quite expensive if you are only a casual player. The games have quite a high replay value on them as well, so it isn't easy to "get your money back" with a free game. I'd like to see regular players treated to games at 3 tokens a play (so about $1.50) instead of the current four tokens.

Before the Queensland Museum moved to the cultural precinct at South Brisbane, it called the Old…read moreMuseum it's home from 1899 until 1986. It was designed by George Henry Male Addison and was built in 1891 after the original building that stood there was destroyed by the fires of 1888. It is if you ask me, one of the most beautiful and opulent landmarks of inner city Brisbane. The Old Museum stands out like a glimmer of hope in the midst of a concrete jungle. The modern and renovated Royal Brisbane Hospital is just over the bridge, the Ekka showgrounds are just underneath it, and the more industrial zone of Bowen Hills is directly behind it. If you stand back and take in the entire landscape, it becomes easy to see how far Brisbane has changed through the ages. Quite frankly, I like the Old Brisbane better than the new one if the Old Museum and other heritage listed buildings of her kind are anything to go by. The Old Museum is now a venue for a multitude of events. The Finders Keepers markets are held there biannually, international and local musicians play there frequently (Amanda Palmer! Beth Orton!), travelling showcase events like the Bohemian Masquerade Ball have held their Brisbane leg of the tour there, and the Burlesque Bombshell Academy holds burlesque dancing workshops there. Holy dooley. The Queensland National Ballet, Queensland Police Pipes and Drums, Queensland Youth Choir and Zen Zen Zo Phyiscal Theatre are all tenants of the Old Museum too. Even though there's a seemingly endless line of groups and people in and out of there all the time, you can hire the venue space. There's a lot of information on the website, and it appears that all you have to do is write them a proposal of what you'd like to do there, and when, and they'll decide yay or nay and get back to you. When I was a little kid, my mum took me for a picnic on the grounds of the Old Museum. With all of my traditional girly notions still intact, I told her I wanted to get married there one day. Apparently I got very excited about the whole idea, and when she told me it had closed down and I couldn't have my wedding there, I wailed. Well, look, some 20 years later, and the dream place of my nuptials is a venue for hire. Now all that's left is for me to find that poor bastard who'd put up with me 'forever more'.

Although I am relatively new to the Brisbane scene, it wasn't long…read morebefore I found out about the charming and handsome Old Museum. Character literally flakes off these old beams and floorboards, this space provides a truly beautiful and intimate setting. Not just a pretty face the Old Museum has played host to myriad events. This old gal has seen everything from Amanda Palmer, Designer Markets and the QLD youth choir being staged beneath her red brick arches. My favourite event here has to be the Finders Keepers markets, the old halls are perfect for this vintage themed event and the gardens make for a kickass concert space/picnic area. (Perfect for those languid summer afternoons and eve's I recommend grabbing some friends and heaving a picnic basket to the lawn.)

What a strange little venue. In the current tradition of taking advantage of every spare space,…read morethis small venue has a bar up the back and a small stage area at the front resembling a living room, complete with beanbags. Located under the Iceworks bar in Paddington, the toilets are a couple portables in the underground carpark. The underground carpark also being how you get into the venue. There is quite a lot of seating, which goes well with the quieter singer/songwriter types that would play here. I was here for a workmate's album launch, and it was the perfect intimate venue. The sound was great, and not too loud or too soft. While I didn't have any drinks, they did appear to have quite the range so there should be something for everyone. I also didn't see a food menu, but I did see an empty plate on a table, so I'm guessing you can at least order some sort of hot food to share. I'd happily come back here to listen to some more music;ideally not on a grand final day next time!

I wish I could enlarge the font so you'd really get the tone I'm using when I say I F**KING LOVE…read moreTHE WAITING ROOM. It's this kind of place that is the reason West End has a reputation for being community minded. It is a DIY music space that is open for local musicians to use for recording, rehearsing and playing gigs. It also opens it's doors to visual artists as well. If you're looking for a place to exhibit your work, look no further! You can also hold workshops there. Hell, let's put it this way, if you're a musician or artist and you've got an idea but need some space to do it, you may as well send these guys an email. It's thewaitingroombrisbane@gmail.com I always like to wander past The Waiting Room on the weekends- there's usually something good happening there. The space is awesome too. It's an old Queenslander that has been tangled up with blue and yellow fairy lights. Depending on what's going on, people usually bring their own grog, find a camp on the floor and watch the band that's playing. At least they're the kinds of gigs I've gone to at The Waiting Room. The gigs that the The Waiting Room put on are usually quite diverse, representing the vast population of musicians who use the space. Going to The Waiting Room for a gig is like going to a fully decked out house party. You rock up with your six pack, walk up the back stairs and rearrange the fridge or esky so you can fit your beers in. You meet some kid you've met around the traps "yeah, yeah man, I've seen you around- good to meet you" and you go watch the band together and bum a smoke off him (or he off you) when you go out back into the garden. You know the deal.

I'm reviewing the Waiting Room both as someone who has hired out the space to put on my own show…read moreand as a regular punter. Cam Smith, the guy who runs the venue, is absolutely wonderful to deal with. He's genuinely passionate about music and puts in a lot of effort to make this a unique Brisbane venue. The place itself is an old Queenslander that has been appropriated into a live music venue. The atmosphere is more akin to a house party than being at an actual venue. except the band that's playing have a professional sound tech with a real mixing desk and PA! (Hint: there's also a bathroom downstairs, so don't wait around upstairs like a sucker) If you're putting on a show, you basically get full control of everything. You organise your own bands, set up your own person at the door, charge your own entry fee, and set your own times (though due to noise restrictions things need to finish up around 11). It's all BYO alcohol, so there's no worrying about the bar or licensing. It's also cash only. Entrance is at the rear, so if you're wandering past and hear some noise that you'd like to check out the front door isn't going to be much help. There's no preferred genre of music that plays here, so you never know what you could be in for. Yes the venue is on the smaller side (I believe max capacity is 80), so busier gigs mean you're less likely to actually see the band play (especially as there is no elevated stage), but I believe the laid back party atmosphere makes up for this. The smaller shows hold a special charm, with many of the patrons just setting up camp on the floor for a quiet night of enjoying the live music.