Winter? What winter? Oh, you mean when the average temperature plunges alarmingly to the point where perhaps a jumper is required? Yeah, Brisbane has those. Winter has officially arrived and you know what that means? Three to four weeks of bitterly cold mornings, this isn’t fun, unless you fill them with hearty breakfasts to warm your soul. We took a early morning drive to the seaside suburb of Manly, which is renowned for its relaxed yet sophisticated nautical atmosphere. You can enjoy everything from family fish picnics or tapas bar hopping, through to active fun like water sports, bike riding and sailing.

With immediate access to Moreton Bay, Manly is truly a boat lover's dream. The centerpiece of Manly is Manly Harbour, the southern hemisphere's largest marina which is crowded with magnificent yachts and top spots to eat fresh seafood. We enjoyed breakfast at Manly Boathouse, which has amazing views of the harbour. After all, Manly is known for its waterfront real estate, which boasts some of the best harbour views available anywhere in Brisbane. If that’s the case, you’ll want to narrow your search down to find a breakfast café with a view of the ocean.

Manly Boathouse is a stunning white seafront restaurant with whitewashed interiors which are bright and airy, giving the restaurant a classic look and relaxed feel. This Hamptons-styled restaurant provides the best views of the bayside from every table, thanks to the giant wall of windows. Outside on The Patio, there’s a patisserie serving espresso, French pastries and a short menu of breakfast brioche buns. As with the indoor dining area, it has a beachy vibe with its stripey umbrellas and white picnic tables. All patisserie and gelato products are freshly made on site.

From the Boathouse we wandered around the Manly Markets. Dogs are welcomed to the twice-monthly Jan Powers Farmers Markets. Manly Markets delivers the perfect package, premium quality products, friendly and knowledgeable stallholders and one of the most picturesque locations in Brisbane. Each stallholder is passionate about their products and loves nothing more than sharing their stories and offering expert advice and tips to market shoppers.

There is plenty to do in Brisbane itself, but the city is also perfectly positioned for a range of one-day adventures. You can get away to the beach, the mountains, an island, or a picturesque country town, and still be back home in time for a backyard barbie dinner.   Please note that there are many sacred sites that are of great cultural significance to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders throughout Australia. Always check if it is appropriate for you to visit specific areas. For example, the Traditional Owners of the Glass House Mountains, the Jinbara and Kabi Kabi people, request that visitors don’t climb Mount Beerwah or Mount Tibrogargan.