Brisbane’s premier racing carnival, The Star Stradbroke Season is back for 2025

Enjoy six Saturdays of world-class horse racing and the best in trackside hospitality, fashion, glamour and entertainment where the top horses, jockeys and trainers from around Australia and New Zealand will compete in a packed program that features seven Group 1 races and a total prize pool of more than $20million.

Ladbrokes Derby Day on 31 May sees prestigious Group 1 racing return to Eagle Farm Racecourse with three $1million races: Group 1 Ladbrokes Queensland Derby, Group 1  EVA Air Kingsford Smith Cup, and Group 2 Aquis Stallions BRC Sires’ Produce with the first of the season’s Fashions on the Field competition ‘Black and White’.

Seven Oaks Day on 7 June at Eagle Farm Racecourse is the penultimate day of The Star Stradbroke Season and a traditional celebration of fillies, fashion and more. The headline race, the Group 1 Seven Queensland Oaks, tests the best staying fillies from around Australia and New Zealand over 2200 metres.

The Star Stradbroke Day on 14 June at Eagle Farm Racecourse draws the season to a memorable end with an elegant grand finale.  This jewel in the season’s crown shines with more than $6.5million in racing prize money on the line, including the coveted Group 1 The Star Stradbroke Handicap. ‘Black and white with a touch of red’ is the day’s fashion theme and judges in the final Fashions on the Field event will be looking for the ‘wow’ factor when it comes time to award prizes to the top three best dressed entrants.

Source: https://www.mustdobrisbane.com/features/stradbroke-season-2025

FESTA ITALIANA returns to Howard Smith Wharves

FESTA ITALIANA returns to Howard Smith Wharves for its third year… Bigger, bolder and more delicious than ever!

Across two unforgettable weekends by the Brisbane River, get ready to feast, sip and celebrate with a star-studded culinary lineup featuring Orazio D’Elia, Carmine Guarino, and Dean Anning. Think authentic Italian cuisine, lively spritz bars, live entertainment, family fun and even the chance to ride away on a stylish ROLL’N Moped.

Gather your amici, famiglia and amore, FESTA ITALIANA is your ultimate Italian escape in the heart of Brisbane!

Bringing a true taste of Rome to the riverfront, Napoli-born chef Carmine Guarino will showcase his passion for traditional Italian street food… Think Roman style pizzas served fresh by the slice, paired with natural Italian wines and the feel-good sounds of classic Italo Disco. Main Lawn will come alive with a vibrant outdoor grill station, serving up mouthwatering porchetta focaccia rolls and succulent Pollo al Mattone chicken rolls.

In partnership with Aperol, Ciao Papi Garden will transform into a sun-soaked oasis inspired by the citrus groves and coastal charm of Southern Italy. A dedicated Aperol Spritz Bar will be pouring refreshing spritzes all day long, making it the ultimate riverside spot to sip, snack, and soak up the sunshine with friends.

Free entry, endless flavour, sunshine and good times await…

WEEKEND 1 /
Thursday 29th May – Sunday 1st June

WEEKEND 2 /
Thursday 5th June – Sunday 8th June

OPENING HOURS
THURSDAY/ 3pm – 10pm
FRIDAY/ 
3pm – 10pm
SATURDAY/ 11am – 10pm
SUNDAY/ 11am – 10pm

Evra’s Breathtaking New Farm-To-Table Restaurant Is Opening Next Week

Fact: the Newstead dining scene has grown from strength to strength, and its status as Brisbane’s top-tier hospo haunt has only been cemented by the announcement of Evra: the neighbourhood farm-to-table restaurant extending the Evra Marketplace ethos with its primitive tribute to the beauty of Australian ingredients. 

Warm, welcoming, and nothing short of breathtaking, Evra’s farm-inspired approach will be led by the restaurant’s rooftop garden—growing seasonal produce to shape their evolving menu that champions ingredients harvested mere hours before they reach your plate. Unexpected flavours and beautiful presentations will be enhanced by Evra’s long-running relationships with some of Australia’s most highly sought-after producers—from CopperTree Farms’ high quality Friesian beef to Wombeyan Caves renowned chickens and Blue Reef’s wild-caught Australian fish. 

The dishes here are comforting and balanced, embracing modern Australian cuisine with classical Italian influences. The highlights? Crudo of the sea with yellow fin tuna, salmon, ‘Paspaley’ pearl meat, coral trout with creme fraiche, and Yarra Valley caviar. Succulent crown-roasted Bresse chicken with earthy chestnut mushroom stuffing and a vibrant vin jaune sauce. Mud crab lasagna served tableside with zucchini flower. Even the house roll has been taken to the next level with the chef’s special bread recipe baked daily in collaboration with Baker D. Chirico next door. 

With neighbours like Total Fusion Platinum, Evra’s interiors are similarly stunning and designed to feel like a comfortable home. Based around an open kitchen at the heart of the space, details include limestone walls, a stone bar, timber shelves, and an intimate greenhouse dining space that captures a serene sense of sophistication. 

Joining Evra Restaurant will be the Evra Bar—open for walk-ins with a full menu available, alongside specially crafted cocktails and a full spectrum of classic wines in a casual setting.

Planning your visit already? We don’t blame you. The good news is you don’t have to wait long as Evra Restaurant is set to open on 21 May, with bookings now available here.

Source: The Urban List Brisbane

Brisbane’s Inner-City Apartment Market in May 2025

As Brisbane continues to solidify its reputation as a vibrant, high-demand city, its inner-city apartment markets in Newstead and Teneriffe have emerged as standout areas for investors and residents alike. The latest market overview from May 2025 highlights remarkable growth, limited supply, and promising future developments that are shaping these sought-after neighborhoods.

Robust Price Growth Reflects Desirability

Both Newstead and Teneriffe are experiencing a significant surge in property values, underscoring their status as premier inner-city suburbs. Newstead’s median apartment price now hovers around $735,000 to $740,000, while Teneriffe’s median is approximately $920,000, making it roughly 25% more expensive on average. Over the past year, prices in these areas have climbed impressively — Newstead’s units have appreciated by approximately 11–13%, and Teneriffe’s by 12–16%. This double-digit growth highlights the fierce demand for quality apartments in these riverfront precincts.

Rental Market Dynamics and Investment Returns

Despite the high purchase prices, both suburbs offer attractive rental yields, making them appealing for investors seeking steady income streams. Current median weekly rents are around $750–$760 for units in both areas. Consequently, gross rental yields are healthy, averaging around 4.8–4.9% in Newstead and approximately 4.5% in Teneriffe. The tight rental market, with vacancy rates near 1%, underscores a near-full occupancy scenario, allowing landlords to command rent increases of 4–8% annually. This low vacancy rate is a stark contrast to the oversupply experienced in the late 2010s and is driven by Brisbane’s population boom and a slowdown in new apartment construction.

Limited Supply and a Construction Drought

The scarcity of new apartments has been a key driver behind the rising prices and rents. In 2023, approvals for apartment developments in South East Queensland declined sharply by 28%, creating a supply-demand squeeze in these coveted neighborhoods. However, a turnaround is underway, with several major projects now approved or under construction that promise to add hundreds of new apartments over the next few years.

Upcoming Developments: Shaping the Future

The next 2–5 years will see a significant increase in housing stock, particularly through transformative projects such as:

  • Waterfront Newstead Precinct (Mirvac): This multi-stage redevelopment along the Brisbane River includes towers like LIV Anura (396 units), Quay (143 luxury apartments), and Isle (scheduled for late 2025), promising hundreds of new residences, parklands, and amenities.
  • “North Newstead” Eight-Tower Project (Seymour Group): A $1.5 billion master-planned precinct, expected to deliver several hundred units, retail, and commercial spaces by 2026, effectively creating a new mini-neighborhood.
  • Teneriffe Banks Development (Kokoda Property): A landmark mixed-use development with three towers (up to 30 storeys), approximately 381 apartments, a boutique hotel, and vibrant retail spaces. If approved, it will reconnect Teneriffe’s heritage woolstore precinct to the river and add high-end residences.

Additional smaller projects and infrastructure upgrades, such as the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge, are further enhancing accessibility and appeal.

Market Outlook: A Tight Market with Future Opportunities

While current conditions favor continued price and rent growth due to undersupply, the pipeline of new developments indicates a potential easing of the market from 2026 onward. Investors should keep a close eye on upcoming supply, as a significant influx of new apartments may temper the current rapid growth.

For now, the market remains bullish, buoyed by Brisbane’s positive economic outlook, infrastructure investments, and the upcoming 2032 Olympic Games. These factors not only enhance connectivity and amenities but also position Newstead and Teneriffe as prime locations for long-term growth and capital gains.

Conclusion

The Brisbane apartment market in Newstead and Teneriffe exemplifies a dynamic, high-demand environment characterized by strong capital appreciation, robust rental yields, and a limited supply of new stock. With several major developments on the horizon and Brisbane’s continued population growth, these suburbs are poised to remain central to the city’s urban evolution — offering promising opportunities for both investors and residents seeking an inner-city lifestyle in one of Australia’s most exciting markets.