Holding on to its title as the best hotel in Australia and in all of Oceania was The Calile hotel in Brisbane – beating out luxury competitors in cities like New York, Los Angeles, Bangkok and London.

The World’s 50 Best Hotels list — pulled together with an expert panel of journalists, travellers and educators by The World’s 50 Best Hotels Academy — has officially revealed Australia’s best hotel.

The Calile Hotel in Brisbane took out 25th on the overall ladder while holding its place as the best hotel in the country.

The Calile Hotel co-owner Catherine Malouf said the team is “humbled” following the win.

“To have been selected two years in a row marks a significant affirmation of The Calile’s place on the global hotel industry stage,” Ms Malouf said.

“This is a win for our team, our collaborators, our loyal guests and a win for Brisbane as a destination, and we are humbled to again represent Australia and be recognised as leading in the Oceania region.”

Hotel general manager Chris Kemlo also said being included on the list for a second year in a row “reaffirms (the hotel’s) ongoing commitment to providing the best possible guest experience”.

“This achievement is a testament to our dedicated team, whose unwavering commitment to excellence and exceptional service drives us to continually exceed our guests’ expectations,” Mr Kemlo said.

The Capella in Bangkok took out first place in the list, followed by Passalacqua in Lake Como in Italy, Rosewood in Hong Kong, Cheval Blanc in Paris and The Upper House in Hong Kong.

The ASX’s RBA Target Rate Tracker, is predicting up to four interest rate cuts starting in February next year – a potential game-changer that could put the property boom back on track and offer relief to Australian families.

The anticipated rate cuts are based on forecasted declines in US interest rates, which would strengthen the Australian dollar against the Greenback. This currency shift would put the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) in a better position to lower the cash rate. ANZ economist Madeline Dunk believes that the RBA Target Rate Tracker prediction is realistic, given the current economic climate.

“We anticipate three 25 basis point cuts in total, with two occurring in the first half of the year and one in the final quarter of 2025,” Dunk said. This series of cuts could potentially reduce the cash rate to 3.6% by the end of next year.

Dunk believes these rate cuts will bolster household confidence and stimulate demand for housing.

“Affordability remains a significant concern for households seeking to enter the property market,” she explained.

“As our ANZ-CoreLogic Affordability Report highlights, the time required to save for a deposit is currently at an all-time high.” Rate cuts will bolster borrowing capacities, so for those who have deposits saved, their ability to borrow a higher amount will be enabled.

“I don’t think that specific cities will suffer due to an interest rate cut. I think all ships benefit from a rising tide. I note that there are markets within markets, though,” says Bakos. “We will likely see builders and developers targeting sites and renovation projects again. Heightening material costs have been a challenge for this category of buyer, but the toughest challenge has been holding costs with higher interest rates.”

The prediction of rate cuts has also sparked renewed interest in the housing market. Bakos says she has already seen an increase in inquiries from potential buyers. “People are starting to feel more confident about buying a property now that there is a possibility of lower interest rates,” she said.

Despite the uncertainty, the prediction of rate cuts has provided a much-needed boost to the spirits of many Australian families. If the RBA does cut rates next year, it could offer a significant financial lifeline for struggling homeowners.

Brisbane’s Queens Wharf will add another restaurant to its offering today with the launch of a steakhouse from one of the state’s most renowned hospitality families.

The Gambaro clan will open Black Hide Steak & Seafood at the much-hyped $3.6b CBD precinct, serving up premium steaks from Queensland’s Stanbroke Beef, alongside some of the best seafood in the country.

Co-owner John Gambaro said the venue, perched on The Terrace of the William St development, will mark a new, more modern direction for the family’s award-winning restaurant, which previously sat in the now-closed Treasury Casino.

“The relaxed atmosphere and the casual feeling that you have here where you can sit down and dine all day, I think it ticks the boxes of a whole generational change for us,” Mr Gambaro said.

Much of that change will also come from the menu, with the family dramatically paring back the offering, creating a much more contemporary list of dishes running from freshly shucked oysters and grilled scallops to lobster linguine and Angus and wagyu steaks, with most of the seafood live and cooked to order.

It will complement the restaurant’s glamorous coastal-inspired fit-out, which will boast 150 seats indoors and a further 100 outside under retractable roofs.

The 550sq m space will also star a private dining room with its own separate entrance, plus a cocktail lounge and bar serving a specially curated drinks list with bottles of wine ranging from the affordable to the extravagant, in excess of $10,000.

The restaurant, which promises to deliver the family’s renowned hospitality that has made them famous for more than 50 years, will be the first non-Star Entertainment-owned eatery to commence operating at the precinct.

“I think this complex is something Brisbane needed, it’s going to put us (as a city) on the map and we can’t wait for everyone else to open up,” Mr Gambaro said.

Black Hide Steak & Seafood will be joined shortly by other new restaurants such as Luc Lac from Brisbane’s acclaimed Ghanem Group, and Dark Shepherd and Pompette from the locally owned Tassis Group.

Expanded capacity & over 35,000 participants expected, the Brisbane Showgrounds finishing village will make this Sunday’s community fun run one of the biggest in the event’s 28-year history.

“The Bridge to Brisbane really is unique in the way it brings our community together and showcases our city in such a positive light,” The Sunday Mail editor Melanie Pilling said. “To sell out again shows how popular the event remains after nearly 30 years.

“And everyone can take part in this event, regardless of your ability or aspiration, that’s the beauty of it.”

There will be a number of road closures around the city and event course next Sunday morning.

The Gateway Bridge southbound will be closed until 9.30am. Transurban will make the Clem7 southbound and Airportlink M7 southbound toll free between 5am and 9.30am to improve traffic flow during the event.

The 10km course will start at Murrarie, taking participants over the Gateway Bridge and along Kingsford Smith Drive where the 5km course starts.

Organiser Rebecca Harwood, from Event Services Management Australia, said: “Running is certainly very trendy and Bridge to Brisbane is a must-do event every year.

“A lot of planning has gone into the participant experience at the event, with so many different acts and entertainment points along the way. Everything from bands, DJs, Brazilian drummers through to opera.

“New for this year, we will have a race cam just after the 5km mark where you can see yourself running past.

“The Finish Village will be action packed. Participants will cross the finish line, grab their medal then head into the Finish Village to enjoy free fruit, Cocobella Hydrate sampling, The Sunday Mail’s free kids’ zone with rides, Transurban face painting and crazy hair station and more.”

Fundraising for Queensland charities is also a key driver of the Bridge to Brisbane, with close to $600,000 raised so far.

The Pyjama Foundation is among those, raising $4000 to date for children in foster care.

Bridge to Brisbane ambassador and Pyjama Angel Sami Rose said she couldn’t wait to be involved again.

“I’m running again because last year was genuinely so much fun – training for it, pushing myself to see how fast I could complete it, and also the great vibes from the community on the day,” she said.

“I’ve only been running for a little over a year and I’ve found so much love for it through watching myself improve, setting goals and keeping promises to myself, and Brisbane is also just such a beautiful place to run, with so many parks and running tracks.

“I chose the Pyjama Foundation as my charity again this year because they do such important work helping little ones in foster care receive the companionship and skill development they need to really thrive.”