Last week, a winter wonderland magically popped up in Brisbane at Hamilton’s Northshore Riverfront Event Site.
This.
The Winter Village — which features an igloo village (flaunted as its highlight), ice-skating rink, pop-up bar and kitchen and snow showers — is set to hang around the entire winter, from June 3 to August 29, 2021.
Oh how we swooned over @thewintervillage’s dreamy Insta posts that we booked in for its very first weekend.
Booking Information
Entry to The Winter Village is free.
However, it is recommended to book on their website if you’re after one of the private igloos to avoid disappointment.
The minimum number to book an igloo is 2 guests and a maximum of 5 guests including children (due to Covid restrictions).
There are two adult dining packages to choose from: standard for $49 and premium for $69. Premium package includes a dessert spread plus a choice of cocktail. Food items can be altered for gluten-free and halal requirements. Kid’s package at $15 includes a meal (our 10-year-old got a well-sized burger) and a drink. Infants/toddlers 0-2 years old are free.
We were booked in at 2:30PM and had opted for the standard dining package as I imagined it as high tea. The fare’s not wholly alpine-inspired itself (grazing plate, mac n’ cheese croquettes, fried chicken bites, fries, slaw, ice cream sandwich) but sufficient, in fact, we didn’t finish everything. Or perhaps we weren’t that hungry.
Walk-ins can order from the pop-up kitchen (food truck has a limited menu though and meal prices range from $14-19) and bar, and only card payments are accepted. If an igloo is unoccupied and you’d like to quickly pop in for a snap, you’re welcome to do so, but be considerate and keep everything as is.
Igloo packages and ice-skating sessions can be booked together online, but keep in mind that customers are not permitted to drink and skate. So book the ice-skating session prior to the igloo session.
Can I cancel my booking? There are no refunds available for cancelations within 48-hours prior booking date.
What To Expect/Making The Most Out Of Your Visit
Arrive ahead of time. Street parking is ample but can be a bit of a walk to the venue. Also, every visitor must do a Covid check-in at the reception before entry.
Igloos are assigned at the reception, and a staff ushers guests in with a quick briefing of what to expect.
Each dining session is an hour and forty-five minutes, so getting there on the dot gives you plenty of time to graze. Entree, mains and desserts are served right to your door, and additional meals can be ordered and paid for via QR code displayed in the igloo.
The igloos’ interiors are decked with velvet cushions, waffle blankies, and ample decor for a toddler to be interested in breaking. The igloos are not heated, and there are plenty of throws to snuggle with but keep in mind that these are shared amongst all guests so consider bringing your own — to be Covid-safe.
Although the igloo walls are transparent, it still provides a feel of privacy. It’s quite sound-proofed, though a bit echo-ey inside which was a pain with a toddler who decided to test the dome’s acoustics with her squeals.
All igloos are accessible for prams and wheelchairs.
The snow shower goes off on schedule (12NN, 3PM, 6PM, 9PM) and doesn’t cover the entire venue. The shower reaches only just a few igloos.
Might be underwhelming for some but my girls had a ball.
If you happen to be there on a Sunday with your little humans, there’s free kids entertainment from 10AM to 12NN.
The Winter Village Brisbane is a destination that caters to all ages and groups. It promises an enchanting wintry affair, and that’s what we experienced… Without getting our arses frozen.
