Upper Kedron
Tucked away in Brisbane’s northwest sits Upper Kedron, an area that is quietly positioning itself to be the next boom suburb. Blending nature and contemporary infrastructure, Upper Kedron boasts a convenient mix of modern residential development while still retaining the bushland appeal of Brisbane’s fringe. Perhaps most ideal for young families, Upper Kedron’s proximity to scenic spaces such as Walkabout Creek, Bellbird Grove’s walking tracks, the Enoggera Reservoir and the Ferny Grove Aqua Park makes the choice of weekend recreation a breeze. The local cafe scene is also thriving, with the likes of Poshamocha in Ferny Grove, D-SOL Cafe in Ferny Hills, The Crampton Social in Keperra, and Blind Tiger in The Gap steadily feeding the brunch crowd, while the nearby hub of Mitchelton is great for dining day or night. One of the most notable aspects of Upper Kedron is Ellendale, a masterplanned urban community currently taking shape alongside 91 hectares of nature corridors. A planned shopping precinct will provide retail, medical and childcare facilities, while a recently completed community park boasts state-of-the-art play equipment, sheltered lookout areas, a barbeque, links to walk and cycle pathways and a sizeable kick-around space.
Everton Park
Forget The City, Fortitude Valley and West End – Brisbane’s most exciting new foodie precinct might be Everton Park. Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’d have heard of the new Everton Plaza development taking shape on Stafford Road. Over the past six months, the strip has welcomed the likes of 5 Boroughs, Stellarossa, Neighbourhood Market Co. and Comuna Cantina to its midst, with Corbett & Claude and rooftop bar Tetto aiming to be complete before the end of the year. Beyond this eye-catching foodie development, Everton Park also boasts numerous green spaces for picnics, family outings and community events. Teralba Park sits on the boundary of Mitchelton and Everton Park, and features barbecues, playgrounds, a vine-covered maze for little ones to explore and sport amenities (including a table tennis table) to take advantage of. Kedron Brook runs through the suburb, and active souls can find dog off-leash areas and a popular cycling corridor running alongside the waterway.
Wynnum
No longer just a sleepy bayside suburb, Wynnum (and its neighbouring suburbs of Manly and Lota) are poised for a lot of action over the next couple of years. The suburb already boasts an excellent selection of cafes (The Rabbit Hole, Manly’s Banter Coffee House, Cambridge Lane Espresso), restaurants (Shucks Bar, Tide Wine Bar) and bars (Cedar & Pine), but the amount of hotspots is set to expand very soon. Development applications have been lodged for not one, but two craft-beer breweries, Groundhog Social is under construction on Manly’s esplanade, new nightlife destination Bucket & Spade is awaiting approval, and a seven-screen cinema complex is also in the works. If the seaside lifestyle is appealing to you, Wynnum offers plenty of chances to indulge in your nautical dreams. The Wynnum Manly Yacht and Sailing Club and Manly’s Southern Cross Yachting and RQYS Sailing Academy give avid mariners access to friendly yacht racing and low-stress outings for novices, while other companies offer deep-sea fishing charter tours for keen anglers. When the sun is out, families flock to the esplanade to enjoy a splash at the Wynnum Wading Pool (which fills up with every high tide), while the Wynnum Mangrove Boardwalk provides plenty of chances to spot wildlife and educate kids about the local ecosystem. If you are considering a sea change, make it quick – it won’t be long before Wynnum is an in-demand living destination.
Yeerongpilly
On the southside, the leafy hub of Yeerongpilly is transforming, setting itself as an area on the up and up. The suburb (and its neighbour Salisbury – more on that below) has built a rep as a popular stop for craft-beer lovers. Slipstream Brewing Co. and Helios Brewing Company are popular names on the beer scene, and are excellent starting points for a beer crawl. As far and dining goes, local hubs including Andonis Cafe & Bar, Tennyson’s River La Vie, Yeronga’s Hyde Away Cafe and Osteria Epoca, and Annerley’s Billykart Kitchen and Cafe O-Mai are some of the most acclaimed eateries in Brisbane. Over in Moorooka, hungry dinner seekers can sample some of the finest Ethiopian and Eritrean in the entire city. Yeerongpilly boasts close proximity to some of Brisbane’s best sporting facilities, including the Queensland Tennis Centre (home to the Brisbane International), the Brisbane Golf Club, and Souths Graceville Rugby League Club, while thrifty shoppers have Annerley’s bevy of vintage and opportunity shops.
Salisbury
Below Yeerongpilly, Salisbury is evolving into a gateway suburb for Brisbane’s thriving south. Formerly known for wartime factories and a plethora of heritage workers cottages, Salisbury is now home to an array of in-suburb dining options, while its convenient location close to major foodie precincts makes it a handy home base. You won’t need to travel far for a good beer or brunch – the Salisbury Hotel remains a reliable community watering hole, while Ballistic Beer Co. established its brewery in Salisbury in 2017, becoming one of Brisbane’s most beloved craft-beer labels. If you’re more of a morning person, long-standing cafes such as Apples on Ainsworth, Cups and Wells, Hedge Espresso and Reload Espresso Bar provide heaps of variety for fast breaking. Lovers of a good view and those eager to stretch their legs can embark on the Salisbury history walk before ascending up to Pegg’s Lookout – a vantage point boasting panoramic vistas all the way out to Mount Barney. When it comes to the surrounding suburbs, Salisbury’s proximity to Rocklea – the home of Brisbane’s largest farmers market (and colourful caffeine dispensary Sundays Cafe) – means fresh produce is always close at hand. Further south sits Sunnybank and its myriad of Asian eateries, while Griffith University’s Nathan Campus and Westfield Garden City (with all of its shopping, dining and entertainment options) can be found by heading east.
This list has been put together in conjunction with our friends at Cedar Woods Properties.