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Bistro Tino Brings Italy’s Corner Bar Culture to Fortitude Valley

Bistro Tino has officially opened its doors in Fortitude Valley, and for regulars of the James Street precinct, it’s the kind of addition that feels long overdue.

The new venue sits next door to Mosconi on Arthur Street — the well-loved Italian restaurant that owner Mark Rotolone has been building into a local institution over the past six years. Tino, which translates roughly to “little” or “junior” in Italian, is exactly that: a smaller, more relaxed sibling to its neighbour, shaped around the rhythms of everyday life rather than a special occasion.

The idea has been gestating for a while. When the former King Arthur Cafe next door became available, Rotolone moved quickly to take on the space, seeing it as the right opportunity to bring a concept he’d been thinking about for some time to life. His vision was straightforward: a place where you could rock up without a booking, have a coffee or a few glasses of wine, and let the afternoon take care of itself — the kind of unpretentious local that’s common in Italy but harder to find in Brisbane.

The kitchen is led by Alfie Cutler, working under Mosconi head chef Catherine Anders. The menu draws on European home-style cooking, with seasonal and ingredient-led dishes designed to be eaten at any time of day. Early offerings include pan con tomate with raw yellowfin tuna and anchovy butter, flatbread with pistachio mortadella, and Italian sausage with silverbeet and butter beans. From midday, the menu shifts toward something more substantial — a bifana roll with pork collar and provolone, chicken Maryland with pea fricassée, and a panzanella made, true to tradition, with yesterday’s bread. The counter stocks cannoli and a daily torta throughout the day.

Standing espressos are $2, which tells you something about what Rotolone is going for here. This is not a destination dining experience — it is somewhere to fold into your week.

The interior was designed by Brisbane studio By Burke, in collaboration with architect George Kouparitsas. At the centre of the compact space sits a handmade Tasmanian oak bar with bronzed brass detailing, complemented by ochre leather banquettes, a warm two-toned palette of cream and brown, and herringbone parquetry flooring. A vinyl setup nodding to the early 1980s runs in the background. Queensland’s characteristic light filters through louvred windows along the building’s facade, giving the room an easy, lived-in quality that makes it feel like it has been there longer than it has.

The venue can seat 20 inside and 25 alfresco, with a private dining space on the upper level for 25 guests, which is set to open by spring. Evening trading is also planned for spring, at which point Tino will shift into its full form as a true all-day venue. For now, it is open seven days from 6.30am to 2.30pm — and yes, dogs are welcome.

Bistro Tino is located at 164C Arthur Street, Fortitude Valley.

Published 1-July-2026

Historic Brisbane School of Arts Set for Private Sale After Revival Bid Falls Short

Wikipedia

The heritage-listed Brisbane School of Arts building at 166 Ann Street in the city is set to be sold to a private buyer after an expressions of interest process, which closed in May 2026, failed to produce a feasible proposal for the building’s revitalisation.

The Ann Street building, which has sat vacant in the heart of Brisbane’s CBD for some years, is one of the oldest surviving civic buildings in the city and one of the few remaining heritage landmarks with significant untapped renewal potential. Its sale marks the end of a publicly led revitalisation process and opens the door to private sector involvement in determining what the school of arts becomes next.

The expressions of interest process, which ran through early 2026, invited cultural organisations, education providers, industry bodies and investors to collaborate on a mixed-use concept combining cultural programming, adult learning and commercial uses such as boutique food and beverage outlets, all within a framework respecting the building’s heritage significance. No feasible proposals emerged.

Brisbane’s city authority has confirmed any future owner will be required to comply with full heritage protections and planning requirements, preserving the building’s historic character regardless of what use it transitions to.

A building that has served Brisbane since 1865

The Brisbane School of Arts building at 166 Ann Street carries more than 160 years of civic history. Erected in 1865-66 with a ground floor and two upper galleries, it was originally known as a Servants Home, providing accommodation for single adult women who had migrated to Queensland and were waiting to take up employment as domestic servants.

In 1873, the trustees of the North Brisbane School of Arts purchased the building for one thousand pounds. It was let to tenants before being formally converted to a school of arts in 1878.

The institution operated libraries and reading rooms oriented around “the advancement of reading and study by the delivery of lectures,” and promoted what its trustees described as “the recreation and entertainment of its members by games of skill, and generally the diffusion of knowledge and the promotion of intellectual amusement.”

A hall was added to the rear in 1884 to accommodate the Brisbane Technical College, which used the building until 1902, when responsibility for technical education transferred to the state. Brisbane’s city authority assumed trusteeship of the building in 1965-66 and operated a public library on site until 1981. Since then, the building has been let to various community groups, and more recently has sat vacant.

A new chapter for Brisbane’s heritage buildings

The sale of the Brisbane School of Arts building will place it alongside a growing cohort of Brisbane heritage properties that have found new life through private investment.

Customs House on Queen Street, the former Brisbane Dental Hospital and the former Treasury Building — currently being converted into a university campus — have all transitioned from public to private or institutional ownership while retaining their heritage character.

Brisbane’s city authority described opportunities like this as rare, noting its intent to “secure private sector investment to write the next chapter of this iconic Brisbane building.”

The building’s location on Ann Street places it within the CBD’s lower precinct, close to the boundary with Fortitude Valley and within easy walking distance of the Queen Street Mall, Brisbane Square and Central Station. For the inner-city community, what the building becomes matters — it is a prominent address in a part of the city that residents, workers and visitors pass through daily.

Heritage protections that bind any future owner

The Queensland Heritage Register records the building’s significance as a rare example of a purpose-built civic institution from the colonial period that retains much of its original fabric and form. Any purchaser takes on a building that cannot be substantially altered without heritage approval, a condition that tends to attract buyers with genuine interest in adaptive reuse rather than demolition and redevelopment.

The expressions of interest process had envisioned exactly that kind of outcome: a vibrant, mixed-use activation that brought people back into the building while preserving its layered history. Whether the sale process produces a buyer with that vision, or someone with a more commercial intent operating within the heritage constraints, remains to be seen.

Information on the Queensland Heritage Register listing for the Brisbane School of Arts can be found here.

Published 29-June-2026

Brisbane City Luxury Hotel Now Offers Room Service For Dogs Amid Pet Ownership Boom

With half of all Australian households now sharing their homes with an estimated 7.4 million dogs, a luxury hotel in Brisbane City is catering to this booming demographic by offering pampered pooches their own high-end room service menus and designer beds.

Redefining Luxury for Four-Legged Guests

The Crystalbrook Vincent, a premium 166-room property located on the river at Howard Smith Wharves, launched its specific pet sleepover package this week. Management introduced the service to accommodate the growing number of people who want to bring their pets along for a weekend away. Pups staying at the six-level hotel are treated to a luxury experience that rivals the human amenities. The rooms come equipped with a plush dog bed, premium Le Creuset food bowls, and a welcome treat.

Going well beyond a simple bowl of kibble, the hotel has designed an in-room dining menu specifically for dogs. Meals include a puppy poke bowl made with poached salmon and vegetables, a beef tenderloin dish, and a chicken dinner served with sweet potato mash. For dessert, dogs can enjoy a special biscuit baked from peanut butter, banana, and oats.

The Push for Pet-Friendly Travel

Crystalbrook Vincent general manager Shaun Allen pointed out that many travellers strongly dislike leaving their pets at home when they go on holiday. He explained that the package gives guests a stylish way to experience the area without leaving their companions behind. As dog ownership numbers continue to climb across the country, Allen noted that holidaymakers are increasingly searching for ways to include their four-legged family members in their travel plans.

The contemporary, art-led hotel sits directly beneath the Story Bridge and serves as a central hub for the surrounding restaurant and pub precinct, which began operating in 2019. Starting at $325 a night, the property offers human guests a rooftop magnesium pool with river views and easy access to the nearby City Cat ferry terminal.

Setting Boundaries for Furry Holidaymakers

While the hotel is embracing canine guests, there are strict conditions attached to the $95 per night pet surcharge. The deal is restricted to dogs weighing 15 kilograms or less, and guests are only allowed to bring one dog per room. Staff also provide owners with custom maps highlighting the best local walking paths to help burn off extra energy.

The hotel enforces several rules to ensure the comfort of all guests. Dogs must be supervised at all times and kept on a leash whenever they are in public areas. Furthermore, pets are strictly banned from entering the indoor dining spaces, the gym, and the pool area. Management has made it clear that owners are fully responsible for their dog’s behaviour and overall wellbeing. Any damage or necessary deep cleaning will be charged directly to the guest’s account, and the hotel reserves the right to ask guests to remove their dog if it displays ongoing disruptive behaviour.

A Growing National Trend

The Brisbane City location is not alone in this venture. The Crystalbrook Collection currently offers similar dog stays at its Riley property in Cairns and the Albion hotel in Sydney, with hints that other locations across their portfolio may soon do the same. The boutique hotel chain is owned by Syrian-born investor Ghassan Aboud, whose United Arab Emirates-based global firm holds diverse investments across the hospitality, retail, healthcare, logistics, and automotive sectors.

Published Date 25-June-2026

End of the Road for Gerard’s Bistro on James Street

A fixture of Fortitude Valley’s dining scene is preparing to serve its final meals, with Gerard’s Bistro announcing it will close after 14 years on James Street.

Read: Gerard’s Restaurant in Fortitude Valley Crowned Australia’s Most Stunning Restaurant

The restaurant confirmed on social media that its final service will take place on Saturday, July 4. In a farewell message shared with patrons, the team reflected on the restaurant’s origins.

“Fourteen years ago, we set out to build something deeply connected to who we are,” the post read. “Gerard’s was a restaurant shaped by the culture, generosity and traditions passed down through our extended ‘Gerard’s’ family.”

A James Street Mainstay

Since opening in 2012, the restaurant has become known for its contemporary take on Levantine cuisine. The restaurant operates from Gerard’s Lane, just off James Street. The team said the restaurant’s foundations had always extended beyond the dining room itself.

“Its foundations have always stretched beyond our walls and we wanted to share the richness of Levantine cuisine and culture with Brisbane in a way that felt authentic and contemporary,” the post stated.

“Gerard’s was a leap of faith, taken on the vibrant James Street.”

Over the past 14 years, Gerard’s has become known for its share-style dining, wood-fired cooking, and evolving menu.

Passing the Torch

Photo credit: Google Maps/Jonathan Moses

The closure follows the sale of the venue to a new team, which is expected to reopen the space in the coming months. While details of the incoming operators have not yet been released publicly, Gerard’s said it was confident the venue would remain in good hands.

“In a few months, the team that have purchased Gerard’s will re-open,” the post read. “We couldn’t be happier to be passing our venue onto custodians we know will keep the spirit of generosity, warmth and the sense of culture alive.”

The restaurant indicated further details about the new operators would be announced in July. The Gerard’s team reserved its final words for those who helped sustain the restaurant over more than a decade.

Read: Agnes Unveils Biggest Menu Shake-Up Since Opening in Fortitude Valley

“To everyone who has been part of this journey – our team, suppliers, collaborators, the James Street community and our guests who have graced our tables… THANK YOU,” the post said.

“The Gerard’s journey was made possible because of all of you.”

For diners, the final weeks offer one last opportunity to visit the restaurant before its final service on July 4.

Published 23-June-2026

Fortitude Valley to Receive Three Experienced Police Officers in Latest QPS Intake

Fortitude Valley is set to receive three experienced police officers as part of the Queensland Police Service’s latest intake of veteran recruits, giving the inner-city station the largest allocation in North Brisbane.

The three officers are among 45 experienced constables sworn into the Queensland Police Service (QPS) at an induction ceremony in Brisbane before being deployed to stations across the state.

Unlike traditional recruits entering policing for the first time, the new constables have already served in police forces across Australia and overseas, bringing hundreds of years of combined experience from jurisdictions including the United Kingdom, New Zealand, South Africa and Brazil.

Fortitude Valley will receive three of the new officers, while Boondall will receive one, making North Brisbane one of the key destinations for the latest intake.

Acting Commissioner Brett Pointing said the experienced recruits would strengthen frontline policing across Queensland.

“The QPS continues to strengthen its frontline capability with experienced officers committed to serving Queensland communities,” Acting Commissioner Pointing said.
“These new constables bring valuable policing experience from other jurisdictions, bolstering our ability to deliver policing services across the state.
“Their decision to join the QPS reflects the opportunities available within the Service and the strong contribution they will make across Queensland.”

Many of the officers have relocated with their families to begin a new chapter in Queensland.

Constable Antonio Humberto Azevedo Souza Castelo Teixeira, who previously served for eight years with the Military Police of Ceará in Brazil, said the move was driven by both family and opportunity.

“One of the biggest things that brought me here was the decision to start my policing career again from scratch in a new country, for my family and for a better future for my children,” Constable Teixeira said.

He said his previous policing experience had taught him to stay calm under pressure, make quick decisions and work effectively as part of a team, while balancing academy training with relocating his family had been one of the biggest challenges.

Former Wellington Central Police Station officer Constable Dan-Emil Meszaros also chose Queensland after serving in specialist policing roles in New Zealand.

“We were sick of the cold, wet, and windy weather in Wellington and chose to move to Queensland for the lifestyle, beaches, and the relaxing nature of the communities,” Constable Meszaros said.

The latest intake is part of the Queensland Police Service’s Police Abridged Competency Education (PACE) Program, which enables experienced interstate and international police officers to transition into policing in Queensland.

With three seasoned officers joining Fortitude Valley, the station will receive the largest share of the new recruits allocated to North Brisbane, adding experienced frontline capability to one of Brisbane’s busiest policing districts.

Published 22-June-2026

QPS Members Join Brisbane Run to Stand Against Domestic Violence

Photo Credit: QPS

More than 150 Queensland Police Service members joined thousands of Queenslanders at Brisbane’s annual Darkness to Daylight event, taking part in an overnight challenge dedicated to remembrance, raising awareness and preventing domestic and family violence, while standing in solidarity with those affected.

The event, hosted by Challenge DV, was held overnight and into the morning after being rescheduled from 28–29 May due to weather. It had originally been planned during Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Month.

At the centre of the event was a team-based 110km relay-style run, representing the 110 lives lost to domestic and family violence in Australia each year. Participants were also able to join the final 10km or 3km sections, while QPS members also took part across 5km, 10km and 110km events.

For QPS, the event was both a public show of support and a reminder of the daily reality of domestic and family violence across Queensland. Police respond to an average of 500 DFV-related call-outs each day, equal to about one every three minutes.

Last year, 20 Queenslanders lost their lives to domestic and family violence.

QPS members at Darkness to Daylight — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Running Through the Night for Lives Lost

The overnight format gave the challenge a clear symbolic focus, moving from darkness into daylight while participants raised funds and awareness for prevention and early intervention work.

QPS members took part as police and as members of the wider community, joining an event built around remembrance, survivor support and prevention. Office of the Commissioner General Manager Cathy Ford spoke at the closing ceremony, where she acknowledged the community response and the shared responsibility to reject domestic and family violence.

Superintendent Michael Ede completed the 110km overnight run and described participation as a meaningful way to recognise the impact of domestic and family violence, remember those who have died and support efforts to prevent further harm.

The event also drew public support online after QPS congratulated participants on social media. Community responses thanked those who took part and recognised the work of police who respond to domestic and family violence incidents.

Brisbane runners supporting DFV prevention — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Funds Support Challenge DV Programs

Funds raised through Darkness to Daylight support Challenge DV’s work in domestic and family violence prevention. That work includes workplace education, respectful relationships programs, strategic partnerships and advocacy.

Challenge DV works across schools, workplaces, sporting clubs, local businesses and community groups, with programs aimed at giving people the knowledge and confidence to recognise abuse and help prevent violence.

A QPS fundraising page connected to Darkness to Daylight described the team’s participation as a way to stand with survivors, honour lives lost and support programs focused on education, resources and prevention. The page had exceeded its fundraising target and was no longer accepting donations.

Community event for DFV prevention — *Photo Credit: QPS*

Help Remains Available

People experiencing domestic and family violence can contact police and support services.

If domestic violence is occurring and someone is in immediate danger, call Triple Zero on 000. For other domestic and family violence matters, police can be contacted on 131 444 at any time.

Support and counselling services include DVConnect Womensline on 1800 811 811, DVConnect Mensline on 1800 600 636, 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, 13YARN on 13 92 76, Diverse Voices on 1800 184 527 and the Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192.

Published 19-June-2026

What’s Happening to Everything Inside Victoria Park? Thousands of Items Are About to Be Sold

The golf may have stopped and the gates may have closed, but one final piece of Victoria Park’s story is still to play out.

Thousands of items from the former Brisbane venue are set to go under the hammer later this month, with everything from golf buggies and hospitality equipment to furniture and maintenance machinery being offered through a major public auction.

The sale follows the closure of the Victoria Park precinct on 31 May, bringing an end to 27 years of operations at one of Brisbane’s most familiar leisure and events destinations.

Now, many of the assets that kept the venue running will be dispersed across homes, businesses and organisations around Australia.

From the Driving Range to the Function Rooms

Lloyds Auctions will conduct the three-part online auction series, with every lot starting at $1.

The catalogue includes thousands of items drawn from across the former precinct’s hospitality, events, golf and maintenance operations.

Among the assets expected to attract attention are commercial kitchen equipment, event infrastructure, furniture, vehicles, golf-related equipment and groundskeeping machinery.

For businesses, it presents an opportunity to acquire commercial-grade equipment. For former patrons, it may be a chance to pick up a keepsake from a venue that featured in birthdays, weddings, work functions and family outings over the years.

A Venue That Became Part of Brisbane Life

While Victoria Park began as a golf facility, it evolved into much more than that.

The inner-city venue became a popular destination for social gatherings, corporate events, celebrations and community activities, helping establish it as one of Brisbane’s most recognised recreational and hospitality precincts.

Its closure earlier this year marked the end of an era for many locals who had personal connections to the site.

The upcoming auction now offers a final glimpse behind the scenes, with assets from both public-facing and operational areas being released to the market.

Thousands of Lots Available

Lloyds Auctions Chief Operations Officer Lee Hames said the scale of the offering reflects the size of the former venue.

“This is a substantial commercial asset liquidation with thousands of items being offered across three separate auctions,” Mr Hames said.

“With all assets starting from $1, the sale presents an opportunity for businesses and buyers to secure practical equipment and operational stock across a number of categories.”

The auction is expected to draw interest from hospitality operators, event hire businesses, golf-related buyers, landscapers, facilities managers and small business owners looking for quality commercial equipment.

Auction Dates

Front of the House
Closing 29 June from 10am

Buildings, Buggies & Maintenance
Closing 30 June from 10am

Back of House
Closing 30 June from 2pm

Further catalogue and inspection details are available through Lloyds Auctions.

Published 19-June-2026

Bowen Hills Man Finds Hope After 33-Year Struggle

After a 33-year struggle, four periods in prison and the loss of his job, long-term relationship and freedom, Bowen Hills man Travis has rebuilt his life with support from Carinity’s prison chaplaincy ministry and his Christian faith.

A Long Struggle

For more than three decades, Travis lived with a gambling compulsion he could not overcome on his own.

The Bowen Hills man had reached a point where he had stopped trying to stop, even as the harmful pattern cost him his long-term girlfriend, his job and his freedom.

Travis has described committing white-collar fraud to fund the behaviour, leading to four periods in prison across 11 years.

Support Behind Prison Walls

During his time in prison, Travis came into contact with volunteer chaplains from Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy, a Carinity ministry supporting people in Queensland correctional centres.

For Travis, their presence became part of his path towards recovery. The chaplains offered a steady, non-judgemental form of support as he dealt with regret, fear, grief and the consequences of his past.

That support helped him begin rebuilding his self-confidence, self-respect and sense of identity beyond the struggle that had shaped much of his life.

Travis gambling recovery — *Caption: Travis enjoying fishing.*
*Photo Credit: Supplied*

A Turning Point Through Faith

At one of his lowest points, Travis turned to God while feeling he could no longer carry the struggle alone.

He came to see trust in God as central to the change he had been seeking for years. While the desire to return to old behaviour did not immediately disappear, that moment became part of the journey that led him towards a different life.

The Final Bet

Travis’s last bet was on 16 November 2023.

The date came one day before his birthday on 17 November 2023. After 33 years of daily urges, he had come to believe he had two choices: stop completely or continue for the rest of his life.

Since 16 November 2023, Travis has said he has not felt the urge or desire to place another bet. He also links 17 November 2023 with becoming born again in his Christian faith.

A Chaplain Who Stayed

One Inside Out Prison Chaplaincy volunteer chaplain became especially important in Travis’s recovery.

The two first met in a correctional centre in 2015. Years after Travis was released, they reconnected, and the chaplain became his mentor, life coach and close friend.

That relationship continued beyond prison, giving Travis ongoing support as he rebuilt his life and future.

Today, Travis is living in Brisbane free from the compulsion that once controlled his life. His story is one of recovery, faith and the lasting support of chaplaincy at a time when he needed it most.

Published 18-June-2026

Cult Valley Noodle Spot Biang Biang Settles into Bigger Digs on Wickham Street

Biang Biang Fresh Noodle, the noodle bar that’s developed a devoted following since first introducing Brisbane diners to hand-pulled Shaanxi-style noodles, has shifted premises again — this time landing at Cathedral Place on Wickham Street, at the southern end of Fortitude Valley.

It’s the third home for owner and head chef Kieran Zou’s noodle shop, and the second time he’s been forced to relocate because of redevelopment. The original site opened in Toowong before a 2022 move to Brunswick Street in the Valley, prompted by a high-rise development earmarked for that site. Now a similar fate has pushed the business further down the hill to its new Wickham Street address.

Zou says the fresh start has brought a noticeable shift in atmosphere. Where the Brunswick Street shop leaned into an exposed, street-food feel, the new fit-out features dark timber furniture and shelving that divides the dining room, giving the space a more conventional restaurant feel — and some welcome shelter from Brisbane’s wind and rain.

Zou is best known to Brisbane diners for his earlier stint as head chef at Kenmore’s Sichuan Bang Bang, where he helped broaden local understanding of Chinese cooking beyond the Cantonese dishes that had long dominated menus around the city. After leaving that role in 2017, he travelled to Shaanxi province in China’s mountainous central north to research the noodle style before opening the first Biang Biang. The name refers to the slapping sound made as the thick, ribbon-like noodles are stretched and shaped by hand on the kitchen bench.

According to Zou, regulars who’d followed the business from its Toowong days were quick to welcome the 2022 move to the Valley, which is when he first registered just how far the noodles’ reputation had spread.

The menu at the new site stays largely the same ten-dish noodle line-up that’s defined Biang Biang since Toowong, though Zou says he keeps making small adjustments based on customer feedback — adding extra cumin to the lamb noodles, for instance, or easing back on the oil and yellow bean paste used in more traditional preparations of the spicy chilli pork noodles in favour of more shallot and garlic, which he’s found suits local palates.

Diners can still order dry Shaanxi-style biang biang noodles with pork mince, potato, egg, tomato, carrot, shallot and salad; dry cumin lamb noodles with capsicum, chilli oil and sesame oil; spicy chilli pork soup noodles; or dry sizzling chilli oil noodles loaded with garlic and shallot. Sides remain unchanged too, with the popular roujiamo — a flaky, bun-style “Chinese burger” filled with meat — alongside spring rolls, pork wontons and house-pickled vegetables. The venue is BYO for wine, alongside soft drinks.

Zou says he’s pleased with how the move has gone, and hasn’t ruled out a future Biang Biang opening in West End or South Bank — though he’d likely keep any new site smaller than the Wickham Street premises.

Biang Biang Fresh Noodle is open daily from 11.30am–2.30pm and 5pm–9pm at 6/115 Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley.

Published 15-June-2016

Oliver Tree Killed in Brazil Helicopter Crash Months Before Kicking Off Aussie Tour at Fortitude Music Hall

Brisbane music fans are reeling after pop star Oliver Tree was killed in a helicopter collision in Brazil on Sunday, 14 June, just months before he was due to take the stage at Fortitude Music Hall this October.

Read: Chet Faker Brings ‘A Love For Strangers’ Tour to Fortitude Music Hall

Tree, 32, was among six people killed when two helicopters collided in the skies above Recreio dos Bandeirantes, a beachside suburb in the western zone of Rio de Janeiro. Fans and fellow artists have been paying tribute on social media since news of the crash broke.

The Brisbane show at Fortitude Music Hall on 2 October was set to kick off the local leg of his tour, followed by dates in Melbourne, Auckland, Sydney, Adelaide, and Perth through October.

Singer Melanie Martinez, who dated Tree in 2020, publicly mourned his loss in a statement, describing herself as “an absolute wreck” over news of the crash and saying she was heartbroken at losing someone she “once shared such a specific and formative time” of her life with.

Ryan Tedder, frontman of OneRepublic, also paid tribute. “RIP brotha love u and ur music u will be missed,” he wrote under Tree’s final Instagram post. Travel vlogger Drew Binsky added: “Rest in heaven my dear friend.” The post, published just one day before the crash, showed Tree sharing highlights from his time in Brazil with his Instagram followers.

Who was Oliver Tree?

Born Oliver Tree Nickell in Santa Cruz, California, Tree built his following on Vine in 2016, crafting an alter ego defined by a bowl cut and oversized clothing. He was known for blending alt-pop, electronic, and punk with an eccentric visual identity. His song “Miss You” became a double platinum hit in Australia, reaching number four on the ARIA charts.

He released four studio albums during his career, the most recent being “Love You Madly, Hate You Badly,” which came out independently in April 2026 after Tree departed Atlantic Records to release it through his own label, Alien Boy Records.

His world tour, spanning more than 70 dates across 30 countries, had kicked off on 30 May in Mexico City. Tree had performed in São Paulo on 6 June and had been posting content from Brazil as recently as the day before the crash, including a video of him playing soccer in a local neighbourhood.

The crash

Rio de Janeiro’s Civil Police identified the victims as Tree, passengers Lucas Brito Chaves and Lucas Vignale, Argentine content creator Gaspar Prim (known online as Gaspi), and the two pilots, Alexandre Souza and Charles Marsillac. Five people were aboard one helicopter, while the second was carrying only its pilot.

One of the helicopters came down in the car park of a dealership rented by Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer BYD, setting fire to around 20 cars parked on the site. The blaze was brought under control within approximately an hour. Brazil’s Air Force said investigators had been deployed to open a formal inquiry into the cause of the collision.

Read: Fortitude Music Hall Welcomes Kate Ceberano’s Australian Made Tour

No official refund information had been announced at the time of publication. Fans are advised to monitor Ticketmaster and Ticketek for updates.

Published 15-June-2026