Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is now home to a new mid-week market, offering fresh produce, street food and artisan goods for city workers and locals. The market launches on Thursday, 8 May 2025, and will run every Thursday from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 100 George Street.
The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane market gives busy workers a place to relax, grab lunch and browse local goods close to the office. It builds on the success of other Brisbane City Markets known for their variety and support of local suppliers.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Photo Credit: Supplied
Organisers say the Queen’s Wharf location brings new energy to Thursdays in the CBD, with seasonal street food, handmade goods and fresh produce. It offers workers a lively way to support small businesses on their lunch break.
What’s on Offer
Visitors to the Queen’s Wharf market can expect a changing mix of food vendors from across Brisbane, selling everything from German sausages to freshly baked cookies. Alongside the food stalls, there are handmade gifts, artisan homewares and bunches of seasonal flowers.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Photo Credit: Supplied
The market also aims to support small producers and local makers, helping them reach a wider city audience. From a quick takeaway lunch to a last-minute birthday present, the market is designed to be practical, enjoyable and close to home.
Part of a Growing Market Network
Goodwill Projects, the team behind Brisbane City Markets, manages a number of popular markets across Queensland. The Queen’s Wharf addition marks the group’s third inner-city location, aimed at making markets a part of everyday city life.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Photo Credit: Supplied
Set in the heart of one of Brisbane’s newest developments, the market is expected to attract workers, residents and passersby. Organisers hope it becomes a weekly habit for city-goers seeking more than a standard food court lunch.
Opening Day and Beyond
The grand opening on 8 May will feature the usual range of stalls, with some giveaways to mark the occasion. A market hamper worth $200 will be up for grabs, filled with products from participating stallholders. Entries close the day before, on Wednesday, 7 May 2025.
From then on, the market will be a weekly fixture each Thursday at Queen’s Wharf, offering a regular dose of food, creativity and connection in the middle of the city.
A painting once sold for just $925 is now priced at $125,000, one of 26 works by celebrated still life artist Margaret Olley now on display at Brisbane’s Philip Bacon Galleries.
Running from April 29 to May 24 in Fortitude Valley, the exhibition at Philip Bacon Galleries shines a light on Margaret Olley’s legacy. Curated by Philip Bacon, who managed her estate after her death in 2011, the show includes early portraits, European landscapes and vibrant still lifes from her final years.
The collection expanded after families, mostly baby boomers, offered works for sale, part of what Bacon called an intergenerational shift. Among the highlights is Sunday Flowers, first sold in 1977 for $925 and now priced at $125,000, reflecting the rising value of Olley’s work and its lasting impact.
A Lifelong Artist with Queensland Roots
Born in Lismore in 1923 and raised in northern Queensland, Margaret Olley studied art in Brisbane during the war before moving to Sydney. She gained national attention in 1948 as the subject of William Dobell’s Archibald Prize-winning portrait, though her still lifes would later define her career.
Known for colourful interiors filled with flowers, fruit and everyday objects, her work is recognised for its detail and warmth. Since her death at 88, her reputation has grown, supported by the Margaret Olley Art Centre in Murwillumbah, which features a re-creation of her Paddington studio.
Charting a Life in Paint
Instead of a modest display, the exhibition presents a broader view of Margaret Olley’s artistic journey. The 26 works trace her growth from student pieces to the confident still lifes of her later years, including paintings from her European travels and final works from her Sydney home.
To many in Brisbane, Margaret Olley’s name is part of the city’s story. Philip Bacon recalled how she would arrive, wind down the car window and say she could smell the jasmine and frangipani.
Though based in Sydney, Olley often said Brisbane felt like home. Now in its 50th year, Philip Bacon Galleries continues to honour that connection. With free entry, the exhibition invites visitors to see Australian life through Olley’s intimate and vibrant perspective.
Brooke Bellamy, founder of Brooki Bakehouse in Fortitude Valley, has denied claims that recipes in her cookbook Bake With Brooki were copied from prominent food content creators. The allegations emerged after RecipeTin Eats’ Nagi Maehashi and US-based baker Sally McKenney raised concerns about similarities between Ms Bellamy’s published recipes and their own.
Ms Maehashi said she became aware of the issue in November 2024 after a reader contacted her about potential overlap. She published a detailed article on her website on 30 April 2025, including side-by-side comparisons of her caramel slice and baklava recipes with those featured in Ms Bellamy’s cookbook. Ms McKenney claimed that a vanilla cake recipe she published in 2019 was used in the book without acknowledgment.
Penguin Random House Australia, the publisher, denied the claims and maintained that the cookbook’s recipes were created by Ms Bellamy.
Recipe Similarities at the Centre
The claims relate to recipes Ms Bellamy included in her cookbook, which has generated nearly $5 million in sales within six months. Ms Maehashi stated that she made no request for financial compensation, but asked for the allegedly copied recipes to be removed from future reprints and for a charitable donation to be made in lieu.
Ms Bellamy stated via Instagram that she has sold her caramel slice since 2016 and said the 100 recipes in her book reflect years of personal baking experience.She said she offered to remove the recipes in question to avoid further escalation.
The Fortitude Valley flagship remains operational. Ms Bellamy’s husband, Justice Bellamy, was present at the store on the morning of 30 April but declined to speak in detail, saying only that his wife would not be present and thanking the community for their support.
Just days earlier, Ms Bellamy had returned from two successful international Brooki Bakehouse pop-ups in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where wait times for cookies reached two hours. Plans for a third overseas pop-up and a new Australian location are underway, with expansion efforts now led by Justice Bellamy.
Photo Credit: Brooki/Instagram
Community Sentiment Divided
At Brooki Bakehouse in Fortitude Valley, customer reactions varied. Some were unaware of the situation, while others said the issue raised valid questions. One customer said the overlap in recipes was difficult to ignore, given the scale of the cookbook’s success. Another expressed support for Ms Bellamy, citing her longstanding work in baking and content creation.
The situation remains unresolved, with no indication that Penguin Random House will recall the cookbook. While Ms Maehashi has not dismissed the possibility of legal proceedings, she emphasised her focus is on acknowledgment and responsibility. Brooki Bakehouse remains open in Fortitude Valley as the copyright issue continues to attract broader industry attention.
Supernormal Brisbane, the riverside offshoot of Melbourne’s acclaimed laneway diner, has earned a coveted spot on Condé Nast Traveller‘s list of the best new restaurants in the world for 2025.
In her feature, award-winning travel writer and food journalist Ute Junker praised the Brisbane venue’s tropical reinvention of the beloved original, noting its seamless blend of coastal atmosphere and vibrant Asian-inspired flavours.
At the helm is executive chef Jason Barratt, formerly of Cabarita’s Paper Daisy, who has brought fresh energy and dishes to the Supernormal repertoire.
Among the standout creations at Supernormal Brisbane that Junker highlights are the perfectly roasted Yamba prawns with shiso koji sauce and the chilled hand-rolled noodles layered with sweet spanner crab and rich sesame—each a tribute to Brisbane’s balmy evenings. For a refreshing finale, diners can enjoy a lemon verbena granita paired with vanilla gelato and lychee.
Photo credit: brisbane.supernormal.net.au
Of course, a few Melbourne staples have made the journey north, including the much-loved New England lobster roll—plump picked lobster and peppery watercress nestled in a toasted brioche bun—which remains a fan favourite. Local diners also rave about the duck and scallops, cementing the venue’s place as a new local institution in record time.
Opened in 2024 at 443 Queen Street, Supernormal Brisbane channels the same energy that made its Melbourne counterpart an icon. Known for its bold, Asian-inspired dishes drawn from the cuisines of Tokyo, Shanghai, Seoul and Hong Kong, the menu is thoughtfully curated across appetisers, raw-bar selections, dumplings, mains, sides and desserts.
Whether you’re sipping on a crisp sake or a house-made lychee and lemongrass soda, the experience is unmistakably Supernormal.
Experienced hotelier Yun Bai will lead the team at Brisbane’s unique Queen’s Wharf Residences, the only apartment-style hotel opening within the city’s major new waterfront precinct managed by Minor Hotels.
Minor Hotels has named Yun Bai the inaugural General Manager for its Queen’s Wharf Residences. This property stands out as the sole apartment-hotel option in the expansive Queen’s Wharf development along the Brisbane riverfront.
Ms Bai will guide the hotel from its opening and set the standard for guest experiences in the highly anticipated area.
Ms Bai brings a wealth of experience from Australia’s hotel industry. She has spent nearly eight years working with Minor Hotels in various significant roles. Most recently, she served as a Cluster General Manager overseeing properties in Brisbane Central. Her history with the company also includes managing the pre-opening phase of Oaks Hotel Cairns and acting as Hotel Manager at Oaks Brisbane on Charlotte Suites.
Before joining Minor Hotels, she worked with Stamford Hotels & Resorts for six years. Craig Hooley, Minor Hotels Chief Operating Officer, stated that Ms Bai has an impressive history of leading hotels successfully and is known for creating excellent guest experiences. He added that her dedication to innovation and team development will be vital in making the new hotel a key part of their Brisbane operations.
Focus on Guests and Staff Growth
Ms Bai expressed her passion for the dynamic nature of the hospitality industry, noting she grew up in it due to her mother’s long career in hospitality management. She finds motivation in the industry’s constant evolution and its challenges. Ms Bai mentioned learning from observing great leaders handle change and pressure while motivating their teams.
She finds great satisfaction in creating memorable moments for guests and feels honoured to lead the Queen’s Wharf Residences team. She emphasized her commitment to building a culture where excellence is valued, everyone’s voice is heard, and team members feel encouraged to grow into leadership positions, highlighting the importance of mentorship for developing future hospitality professionals.
Mr Hooley highlighted Brisbane’s growing importance as an entry point for international visitors, noting that improving air travel connections is key, especially as the city prepares for the 2032 Olympics.
He described the Queen’s Wharf project as a world-class development that enhances the entire city’s image. He believes it supports Brisbane’s goal to become a major destination city, capable of attracting more tourists, residents, investors, businesses, and large events.
The Queen’s Wharf Residences hotel aims to provide a premium “home-away-from-home” feel. It caters to holidaymakers, business executives, and guests needing longer stays. Accommodation options include suites with one, two, or three bedrooms.
Each suite comes with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. Guests will also have access to amenities such as an outdoor swimming pool, a spa, private lounges, and areas dedicated to wellness.
QUT health and medical researchers based in Brisbane CBD have secured more than $3.2 million in funding to advance clinical trials addressing rare diseases and improving healthcare interventions.
Addressing Rare Diseases and Improving Health Interventions
Researchers from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in Brisbane CBD have received over $3.2 million through the 2023 MRFF Clinical Trials Activity scheme. The funding focuses on two main areas: rare cancers and diseases with unmet needs, and the development of effective health interventions.
The grants have been awarded to two major projects aiming to improve spinal care for rural children with scoliosis and to trial a low-cost medication for treating bronchiectasis in children.
The Team Behind: Scoliosis Remote Care Technology (ScoliDoc Project)
QUT Team (Across Schools of Engineering, Design, Nursing, Medicine, Education):
Associate Professor Paige Little (Lead)
Professor Marianella Chamorro-Koc (School of Design)
Professor Evonne Miller (School of Design, Queensland Health)
Professor Deborah Long (School of Nursing)
Professor Jed Duff (School of Nursing)
Dr Sarah Whitehouse (School of Medicine)
Dr Bridget Hughes (School of Education)
Adjunct Professor Geoffrey Askin (Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service)
Dr Sinduja Suresh (School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering)
Maree Izatt (School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering)
Adjunct Professor Robert Labrom – Associate Investigator
Other Institutions and Researchers:
Dr Kristopher Lundine (The Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne) – Associate Investigator
Partner Organisations:
Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service
The 2023 Clinical Trials Activity grant opportunity, administered by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC), supports projects that enhance access to effective, evidence-based healthcare. Grants were awarded across four research streams, with a maximum available funding of up to $5 million for clinical trials targeting rare diseases or comparative effectiveness of health interventions.
The initiative focuses on minimising ineffective treatments and expanding healthcare access, particularly for Australians affected by rare or neglected conditions.
Scoliosis Project Targeting Rural and Remote Areas
Associate Professor Paige Little from QUT’s School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering received $551,461.68 for the project “Geographically Equitable Spinal Care for Remote, Rural and Regional Children with Scoliosis: Smart Digital Strategies Linking Patients and Specialists.”
The project addresses challenges faced by children in remote areas, where around 30 per cent of Australians reside, in accessing early scoliosis care. QUT’s scoliosis research team, the only one dedicated to the condition in the southern hemisphere, has developed an AI-driven platform, ScoliDoc, enabling virtual consultations and early interventions without requiring patients to travel to metropolitan centres.
The Team Behind: Bronchiectasis Treatment Study (Colchicine Trial)
QUT (School of Medicine and AusHSI) Team:
Associate Professor Julie Marchant (Lead)
Professor Anne Chang AM
Professor Stephanie Yerkovich
Dr Vikas Goyal
Dr Hannah O’Farrell
Other Institutions and Researchers:
Professor Steven McPhail (School of Public Health and Social Work and AusHSI, QUT) – Associate Investigator
Professor Keith Grimwood (Griffith University)
Professor Hiran Selvadurai (Children’s Hospital at Westmead)
Professor Andre Schultz (University of Western Australia)
Mrs Lesley Versteegh (Menzies School of Health Research)
Associate Professor Katherine Baines (The University of Newcastle)
Associate Professor Anna Nathan (University of Malaya)
Professor Peter Morris (Menzies School of Health Research)
Dr Pamela Laird (University of Western Australia) – Associate Investigator
Partner Organisations:
Children’s Hospital at Westmead
Royal Darwin Hospital
Queensland Children’s Hospital
Perth Children’s Hospital
Pharmacor
Photo Credit: QUT
Trialling an Old Medication for Bronchiectasis
Associate Professor Julie Marchant, from QUT’s School of Medicine and the Australian Centre for Health Services Innovation (AusHSI), received $2,682,874.84 for a multicentre randomised controlled trial investigating colchicine’s efficacy for children with bronchiectasis.
Bronchiectasis is a chronic lung condition often neglected in clinical research. Current treatments rely heavily on antibiotics. This study will evaluate colchicine, a well-established, low-cost anti-inflammatory drug, as a potential adjunct therapy.
The research team includes academics from QUT, Griffith University, Children’s Hospital at Westmead, University of Western Australia, Menzies School of Health Research, The University of Newcastle, and University of Malaya, partnering with several leading Australian hospitals and health organisations.
Future Implications for Health Care Delivery
Both projects aim to validate innovative approaches that can transform healthcare delivery for children, particularly those living outside metropolitan areas. Outcomes from these trials could inform national clinical practice guidelines, improve patient access, and reduce long-term healthcare burdens.
The MRFF Clinical Trials Activity Initiative continues to play a critical role in strengthening Australia’s medical research capacity and healthcare system through targeted funding for clinical trials.
Brisbane has been named the second most cost-effective city globally for cost of living, with the Queensland capital outperforming dozens of major cities in a new international index.
The report considered the price of rent, electricity, public transport, petrol, staple groceries, average wages, unemployment rates and interest rates.
How Brisbane Stood Out
The Index showed that Brisbane residents are enjoying relatively affordable public transport options, boosted by Queensland’s trial of 50-cent public transport fares that began in August 2024. The city’s average petrol price of $1.68 per litre is also cheaper than many other capital cities, helping to ease the cost of living pressures for local families and commuters.
While rent prices in Brisbane have risen steadily, they have not soared as sharply as in cities like Sydney and Melbourne. Since 2015, rental costs in Brisbane have increased by about 17.7 per cent, a comparatively moderate figure given the rapid housing market shifts in other parts of Australia.
Challenges Remain for Households
Despite its strong affordability ranking, the Index showed that Brisbane is not without challenges. Electricity prices remain a concern for many households, with Brisbane’s average sitting at around 40 cents per kilowatt-hour, which is much higher than Seoul’s average electricity costs. Additionally, Australia’s higher cash rate of 4.35 per cent compared to South Korea’s 3.5 per cent means mortgage repayments and borrowing costs continue to stretch household budgets.
Still, Brisbane’s relatively low unemployment rate of 4.2 per cent and healthy average income levels have contributed to its strong performance in the global rankings.
Brisbane’s high ranking placed it above cities like Madrid, Luxembourg City, and Melbourne. On the opposite end of the scale, Copenhagen was ranked the least cost-effective, highlighting the contrast between cities where everyday essentials come with a much higher price tag.
Community leaders in Brisbane say the ranking is a reflection of the city’s efforts to manage living costs while still supporting economic growth. Residents are encouraged to take advantage of initiatives like the discounted public transport fares and to shop locally where possible to help manage household expenses.
While no city scored higher than 7 out of 10 in the Cost-of-Living Cities Index — meaning cost pressures are still felt globally — Brisbane’s result is a welcome recognition of its livability amid ongoing global economic challenges.
Brisbane-based indie band Ball Park Music, made up of five graduates from the Queensland University of Technology, has been selected to open for Oasis on their Australian tour.
The band was established in 2008 by a group of students studying at the Queensland University of Technology, located in Brisbane’s CBD. The line-up includes Sam Cromack, Jennifer Boyce, Paul Furness, Dean Hanson, and Daniel Hanson. Since their formation, the band has built a strong national profile, releasing eight studio albums and earning multiple award nominations.
Their early works were championed by national radio, with the band gaining traction through Triple J support. Over the years, they produced platinum-certified singles and critically acclaimed albums. Notably, their self-titled 2020 album reached number two on the ARIA charts, and their latest release, Like Love, debuted at number one.
Oasis Support Slot Announcement
The band announced via Instagram that they will support Oasis on five Australian stadium shows in Sydney and Melbourne. This follows confirmation from Oasis that their reunion tour will exclude Brisbane, despite fan interest. Being chosen to support Oasis offers a rare platform for an Australian band, in contrast to the usual trend of international acts bypassing local talent.
It was revealed during a television appearance that Oasis frontman Liam Gallagher personally selected Ball Park Music after hearing one of their songs. The band described the process of keeping the news under wraps as difficult, only recently able to speak publicly about the selection.
Local Music Industry and Public Reaction
Industry bodies such as the Association of Artist Managers have long called for more opportunities for Australian artists on international tours. Ball Park Music’s inclusion has been viewed as a win for this campaign. However, some Brisbane fans have expressed frustration that the city was left off the Oasis tour schedule, reigniting discussions about the city’s capacity to attract global acts.
Oasis will perform three shows at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne and two shows at Accor Stadium in Sydney later this year. There are no additional tour dates planned in other Australian cities due to scheduling constraints, according to promoters. Meanwhile, Ball Park Music’s role as support could signal future international exposure beyond the local stage.
Brisbane musician Sycco, whose songwriting success is already marked by honours in the heart of Fortitude Valley, has earned national recognition by winning the Triple J Australian Album of the Year J Award for her debut album, Zorb.
The J Award win arrived in 2024 for the 23-year-old artist Sasha McLeod. Triple J music director Nick Findlay described her album Zorb as a blissful, psychedelic collection that perfectly captures Sycco’s incredibly unique approach to songwriting and production.
Findlay also stated that Sycco is one of Australia’s best young artists. The J Award recognises outstanding Australian albums each year.
Sycco, who is of Torres Strait Islander heritage, began her music career by creating songs in her bedroom. She is now represented by the independent music company Future Classic. Before her national J Award win, Sycco had already achieved significant recognition in her hometown.
She won Song of the Year at the Queensland Music Awards for two consecutive years, first for “Dribble” in 2021 and then for “My Ways” in 2022. These awards are commemorated with plaques in Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley entertainment precinct.
According to McLeod, her debut album Zorb grew from experiences she had over the past three years while living in a decaying Brisbane sharehouse. The building, once owned by a former mayor, provided the backdrop for significant personal events, including first love, heartbreak, and the formation of supportive friendships, all of which influenced the album’s creation.
McLeod described 2024 as an incredible year, marked by the release of Zorb, a move to a new city, and her first live shows in America. Looking ahead, she aims to stand out in the competitive music field by trusting her instincts and creating memorable live performances.
She recently completed her headline tour, which featured the “Sycco Extended Family DJs” performing inside a specially built cube structure. She expressed pride in the new music she has recorded and hopes to release it soon. The Sycco Extended Family DJs are scheduled to support fellow Brisbane band The Jungle Giants in April 2025, marking McLeod’s first support shows as a DJ.
Mourners gathered at St Stephen’s Cathedral in Brisbane’s CBD to honour the life and legacy of Pope Francis, just hours after news broke of his death at the Vatican on Easter Monday.
Archbishop Mark Coleridge led a heartfelt Mass on Tuesday to honour Pope Francis, a man he once called a “dear brother.”
The early morning Mass on Tuesday drew about 40 members of the community who came to reflect, pray, and give thanks for the Pope’s contributions to the Catholic Church and beyond. The Archbishop spoke about the significance of the timing of the Pope’s passing—so close to Easter—and acknowledged the lasting changes Pope Francis made during his time as leader of the global Church.
Remembering a Leader Who Re-shaped the Papacy
Archbishop Coleridge shared personal reflections during and after the Mass, recalling how Pope Francis consistently challenged tradition not for the sake of disruption, but to reshape the Church into something more compassionate, inclusive, and grounded in humility. He described Francis as a man of “surprise” who often defied expectations, including his own election in 2013.
The Archbishop said he once dismissed Jorge Bergoglio—then the Archbishop of Buenos Aires—as an unlikely papal candidate due to his age and background as a Jesuit. But his eventual election, and the simplicity with which he introduced himself to the world, showed a leader who would steer the Church in a new direction.
Coleridge noted Pope Francis’s tendency to break away from Vatican formality. Instead of living in the grand Apostolic Palace, he chose a modest residence and often opted for a small sedan rather than official vehicles. He greeted others with warmth and informality, signalling his desire to be a “bishop among bishops,” not a distant authority figure.
Local Reflections and Community Mourning
For Queenslanders like Georgia Meares, attending the Mass was a chance to both grieve and express hope for the Church’s future. She spoke about her prayers for the Pope, the broader Church community, and the selection of a new leader. Her thoughts echoed those of many who admired Pope Francis for his down-to-earth style and focus on the poor and vulnerable.
The Cathedral will continue to welcome community members for quiet reflection throughout the traditional nine-day mourning period observed by the Church following a Pope’s death.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli acknowledged the Pope’s passing by ordering flags to be flown at half-mast across state government buildings. He said Pope Francis was someone who gave “a voice to the voiceless” and served with commitment until the end of his life. The Premier is expected to meet with Archbishop Coleridge to extend condolences on behalf of the state and its large Catholic population.
A Legacy That Will Endure
Archbishop Coleridge believes Pope Francis’s influence on the Church will carry forward, describing his reforms and priorities as changes that “can’t be stopped.” He referred to him not just as the Holy Father, but as a dear brother, a title he used in their correspondence to reflect a shared sense of mission and fraternity.
Throughout his life, Pope Francis remained grounded in his Jesuit values, placing the needs of the poor and marginalised at the heart of his ministry. His papacy marked a shift towards a more pastoral and globally conscious Church, driven by service rather than status.
As the Church now prepares for the conclave to elect a new pope, uncertainty surrounds who might be chosen next. Archbishop Coleridge said it is as unpredictable now as it was when Pope Francis was elected—perhaps fitting for a man whose life and leadership were marked by the unexpected.
