As many will attest, being a university student isn’t exactly a walk in the park. That isn’t to say that a walk won’t help though—because it certainly can! After all, everybody needs a break from studying once in a while. It’s good for your health to balance hitting the books with other activities.

No idea what you can do or where you should start? If your student accommodation happens to be near Griffith University, here are some suggestions for you:

Relieve some stress at Mount Gravatt

Whether you’re after picturesque views or a different means to stay fit, Mt Gravatt has plenty to offer. You can climb all the way up to the lookout to release some endorphins. The place is only 2.2 kilometres away from the Nathan campus and you can get Instagram-worthy shots for your effort. If you’re willing to go somewhere further, you can take your pick from the driving range and miniature golf course.

Brisbane City Council – CC BY 2.0

Stroll around the South Bank Parklands

It’s time to fulfil that part about taking a walk in a park and there’s no better place than one of Brisbane’s top cultural precincts. The area is a good mix of plazas and grassy, watery, and rainforest-like spaces. There are also features like the Queensland Conservatorium, Wheel of Brisbane, Nepal Peace Pagoda, Courier Mall, Grand Arbour, and Streets Beach worth checking out. One day out won’t be enough to truly enjoy what the parklands has in store for you and your companions.

Go shopping at Davies Park Market

When you have Saturdays free of classes and extracurricular activities, consider a visit to this open-air market that’s open from 6AM until 2PM. There you can find a wonderful selection of handmade jewellery, fresh fruit, artisan bread, embroidered clothing, African meatballs, Japanese pancakes, organic coffee, and even mud crabs. Be sure to head for the river bank where folk guitarists tend to play some tunes.

Taken from the Visit Brisbane website

Jam out with the City Sounds program

Every week around Brisbane, touring bands and local artists play an arrangement of music that you can listen to for free. Typical locations where this free live music program is held include Post Office Square and Queen Street Mall. It doesn’t matter if you’re into R&B, electro, jazz, folk, hip hop, or alternative as City Sounds has something for you so you’ll stay entertained.

Immerse in Asian culture in Sunnybank

This suburb has long been recognised as the little Asia of Brisbane. Being the home of the largest Asian community in the city, it offers a taste of authentic Asian dishes for cheap. You have Sunny Park, Market Square, and Sunnybank Plaza to choose from for your fix of herbal stores, eateries, and Asian supermarkets. Are you in the mood for some Vietnamese, Thai, Singaporean, Korean, Japanese, Malaysian, or Chinese food? Then, Sunnybank is the place to be!

Bonus: Breathe in contemporary art at the Powerhouse

In New Farm lies this arts and cultural hub that provides a marvellous array of community events, festivals, visual arts, and performing arts. Over 1000 performances and events are held in this venue every year so there’s always something to pencil in your schedule each week. If you’re worried about staying within your student budget, you can just attend their free comedy show every Friday 6PM onwards. Seating is limited though so you might want to arrive early to land a good spot.

Don’t live near Griffith Uni but would love to relocate so that the above options would easily be within reach? Student One is the student accommodation provider you should contact. They’re only a short bus ride away from the Nathan campus and provide easy access to the mentioned activities and venues.