Southeast Queensland Shines

It started well before the announcement was made that Brisbane would host the 2032 Summer Olympic Games. The capital of Queensland, situated on the winding Brisbane River, has been growing up fast. And this year is going to prove one of its most exciting – well, at least until those athletes arrive.

In the middle of the year, Brisbane will see the first stage of Queensland’s biggest development launch. Queen’s Wharf is an AU$3.6 billion extravaganza that will include luxury hotels, designer retail outlets, a high-end department store and more than 50 eateries and bars in two towers linked by the Sky Deck. Set 100m above the action, it promises to be Brisbane’s newest hot spot, with lush public gardens, a runway of restaurants and bars, and three swimming pools.

Spending time outdoors is very much part of the Brisbane lifestyle. Queen’s Wharf is connected to another of the city’s favourite sun-soaked playgrounds, South Bank, by a new pedestrian bridge. Meanwhile, Fortitude Valley, adjacent to the city and home of Hotel X and Agnes Restaurant, continues to evolve apace.

One of Brisbane’s biggest attractions is its proximity to both the Gold Coast (about an hour’s drive away) and Sunshine Coast (two hours’ drive will see you in Noosa). Choose the former if you’re looking for great surf, a sprinkling of glitz and the chance to explore lush rainforests in its hinterland, where a stunning new bath house called Sol Elements has just opened. The latter is more laidback, with equally beautiful beaches, low-key luxury and decadent open-air dining opportunities. Plus, there’s a chance for the adventurous to hike along coastal cliffs and paddle the world’s only other Everglades environment outside Florida.

How To Get There

No One Knows Australia Like Qantas 
Fly with Qantas to Queensland and connect to over 65 amazing destinations across Australia. Enjoy the journey with complimentary food, drinks, entertainment and checked baggage included in every Qantas fare.

How To Get Around

For A Drive As Smooth As The Service, Book With Avis
Rent an electric vehicle from Avis at Brisbane Airport or Brisbane City and enjoy a remarkably smooth and quiet drive. There are many well located charging stations stretching between the Gold and Sunshine Coast. If you’ve never driven a Tesla before, this is an easy destination to give one a try. With helpful guides provided by Avis on charging and driving, you’ll quickly be on your way.

Where To Stay

Hotel X Fortitude Valley
Part of IHG Hotels & Resorts’ Vignette Collection, experience the transformation from the ordinary to the extraordinary at Hotel X Fortitude Valley. Situated in the vibrant heart of Brisbane’s fashion, nightlife and dining hub, it commands attention with its unexpected and irresistibly lavish atmosphere. Immerse yourself in a continuous sensory feast that lasts 24 hours, where playful touches of luxury await at every corner.

JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa
Its design is inspired by the natural beauty and relaxed ambience of coastal Queensland. JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa has a total of 238 rooms and suites starting from a generous 42sq m in size boasting panoramic views of the hinterland, lagoon pool and ocean, located a short walk to the beach. Featuring four restaurants and bars, the resort’s culinary offerings celebrate local produce and seasonal ingredients highlighting ocean and paddock to plate dining. Spa by JW delivers experiential treatments tailored to your individual needs and focus on delivering four distinctive benefits — Calm, Indulge, Invigorate and Renew.

Where To Dine

Agnes Restaurant
Recently awarded “National Restaurant of the Year” by Gourmet Traveller, Agnes is a celebration of wood-fired cooking within Brisbane’s vibrant Fortitude Valley. The heartbeat of the experience is the drama, spectacle and ancient skill of cooking over fire, perfectly paired with contemporary hospitality to highlight how simple great food can be.

Noosa Beach House Restaurant
Located within Sofitel Noosa Pacific Resort, Noosa Beach House Restaurant was recently honoured with the Australian Good Food Guide’s Chef’s Hat Award. The restaurant offers coastal-inspired dining with a farm-to-table ethos. As the day transitions into evening, the restaurant evolves from a sunlit daytime venue into a sophisticated dining experience at dusk.