Breathe in. Breathe out. There is something particularly calming about salty sea air and the sand between your toes. No yoga mats are required to salute the sun on North Stradbroke Island, it’s just nature, your body and yoga instructor Linda Rago taking you through asanas under the casuarina trees on Home Beach. Wear togs, you’ll be diving straight in afterwards. Beach Yoga Straddiefacebook.com

The next best thing to owning a yacht (we presume) is hiring a barbeque boat. At least that way you don’t need a licence. This month gather friends, select some snags and head to Bribie Island. Cruising across the clear waters of picturesque Pumicestone Passage at sundown is simply magic. BBQ Boat Hirebbqboathire.com.au

Legend has it in 1875 a local man known as James “The Oyster King” Clark operated a successful oyster farm out of Pumicestone Passage. While the king has long since passed, it feels fitting to sink a cold beverage and down a cheeky dozen oysters in his honour at the Sandstone Point Hotel’s on-site oyster shed. Any excuse. The Oyster Shedsandstonepointhotel.com.au

Eating cheese is like going for a swim: you never regret it. In this weather there’s plenty of opportunity to do both, and it helps that you don’t need to lift a finger to prepare. Market-stall favourite The Cheese Pleaser does all the heavy lifting; it can customise and tailor a gourmet cheeseboard for you to pick-up on your way. No regrets. The Cheese Pleaserthecheesepleaser.com.au

It’s open. A labour of love for owner and head chef Damon Amos, Woolloongabba’s Detour has been a long time coming. Renovating a heritage space proved tough, but diners are reaping the spoils. Yes, there are still insects on the menu. Detourbroadsheet.com.au

“Ageing the meats in a certain way ... makes them spectacular.” News of a modern-European restaurant with a focus on charcuterie has us excited. The Long Road recently opened in an old Queenslander cottage in New Farm. Cheers to cured meats and drinks on the deck. The Long Roadbroadsheet.com.au

Valentine’s Day gifts have shifted in modern times. No longer does a doe-eyed plush toy and the most expensive card at the newsagent cut it. (Or is that just us?) These days we want a meaningful, intimate experience, and that tends to require booking ahead. Whether it’s a corner table by candlelight, fancy burgers and beer, or a special picnic hamper in the park, Valentine’s Day is a time for appreciating the good things in life. So this February 14th, team up with your lover, food, fine drink and head out for a little romantic reflection.

Fill up the tank and go on the road trip to Chinchilla. Yes, Chinchilla. The country town is a three-and-a-half-hour drive west from Brisbane, but from February 16 to 19 the melon capital of Australia is hosting a festival to celebrate the big old fruit. Yes, Melon Fest will have a melon ironman race, melon skiing, a melon chariot race and a free melon feast. This opportunity only comes around once every two years. Do. Not. Miss. Melon Festmelonfest.com.au

If you’re not up for sitting through another endless cricket match, you’ll be relieved to know winter sport is coming back to Brisbane early – sort of. 10-a-side rugby will see 300 players from some of the world’s best teams come to the city for the inaugural tournament. Caxton Street will be pumping. Brisbane Global Tensbrisbaneglobaltens.com

If there’s nothing funny about big, hairy men repeatedly running into each other, take note: in late February more than 60 comedians will call the Powerhouse and City Hall home for a month during the Brisbane Comedy Festival. We find the best place to start is with tickets to the gala on February 26. Brisbane Comedy Festivalbrisbanepowerhouse.org

Summer romance, summer fling, summer love – this season puts you in the mood, doesn’t it? Here’s to pursuing it to a logical conclusion: big, shiny, artisanal bling. If you need a precious stone for a very significant gesture (or you’re just thinking about it), we suggest you don’t play it by the book. Try these six unconventional engagement rings on for size. Unconventional Ringsbroadsheet.com.au

What does it mean to be an Asian woman in Australia? Award-winning Brisbane writer Michelle Law’s new comedy Single Asian Female is taking on race and gender at La Boite from February 11. La Boitelaboite.com.au

Brisbane’s underground arts community is easy to find. After all, its members meet publically every two months. (Not that underground, obviously). The first 2017 RAW independent arts showcase starts on February 9. It will feature more than 40 artists covering film, fashion, visual art, photography, hair, make-up and performance art. RAW Artistsrawartists.org