New Farm, Newstead & Teneriffe:
Things to do 

18 JANUARY 2023

Newstead, New Farm, and Teneriffe are three distinct neighbourhoods where heritage charm and urban renewal collides. Offering a unique blend of culture, history and recreation, this inner-north trio is one of Brisbane's fastest-growing pockets and a popular destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re seeking to sample Brisbane’s unique brunch culture, marvel at art deco architecture or relax by the river with friends, there are abundant joys to be discovered in this beautiful riverside locale.

Two women opening a picnic basket and taking things out from the basket at New Farm Park.

New Farm Park, New Farm

Picnic in New Farm Park 

It’s hard to imagine Brisbane without the odd Sunday snacking session down by the river. Gather a picnic basket from one of New Farm’s many boutique delis and sprawl under the shade of a jacaranda or fig tree. Stay a while and watch as dogs gambol and New Farm locals go about their day.

Get a culture fix at Brisbane Powerhouse  

A magnificent coal-fired power station of the 1920s reborn as a riverside arts centre, Brisbane Powerhouse presents a year-round program of more than 1250 performances, spanning live music, contemporary performance, theatre, dance, cabaret and more. It’s also home to heritage-listed graffiti, riverside bars and restaurants, visual arts exhibitions and the Powerhouse Store (P.S.) - home to a gorgeous selection of handmade objects and utilitarian design pieces. 

Binge Brisbane’s best breakfasts 

Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s national brunch capital is growing by the minute, and this pocket of Brisbane, with joints like Kin & Co, Mylk + Ko, Nodo, The Balfour Kitchen and Joedy’s is fuelling it. Arrive early or expect to wait for a table on weekends.

Craft yourself a beer crawl

They don’t call it Brewstead for nothing. Newstead Brewing Co, Green Beacon Brewing Co and Range Brewing all knock out their own wicked beers and are an easy walk from one other. Add in Tippler’s Tap and Bitter Suite and you have a readymade ale trail. 

Ditch the supermarket for the Powerhouse Farmers Market 

Artisan products, fresh produce and delicious food stalls take over Brisbane Powerhouse from 6am to noon every Saturday. Browse more than 100 market stalls, grab a bite and a coffee and relax in the Pleasuredome – Brisbane Powerhouse’s 400sqm luxury, hand-crafted sailcloth tent nestled beside the river.

 

Live your best Queenslander life in a boutique hotel 

When we say Queenslanders are beautiful, we’re not just giving our good-looking selves a pat on the back. The ‘Queenslander’ style home is as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional, and you can see them all over Brisbane. Treat yourself to an overnight stay at one of Brisbane’s best – the beautifully restored Spicers Balfour Hotel in New Farm.

Shop up a storm along James Street 

If a leafy street filled with flagship and independent boutiques and award-winning restaurants and bars sounds like your cup of tea, then try James Street on for size. If you’re looking for that unique item, head here for some of the city’s best shopping. 

An image of three women walking past shops.

Wool Stores Building, Newstead

Visit Brisbane’s oldest homestead 

Newstead House is a history buff’s delight. The grand residence, built in 1846, is Brisbane’s oldest standing European residence and tells the story of early colonial life in Brisbane.

Take in tunes at The Triffid 

Former Powderfinger bassist John Collins helped turn this WWII hangar into one of the country’s best-sounding gig venues. The Triffid is perfect on a Sunday afternoon and even better when a mid-sized Aussie act rocks the room.

Check out the area’s best bars 

One of the best things about Brisbane’s inner suburbs is the sprawl of bars, pubs and watering holes. Check out Bar Alto or Mary Mae's before or after a show at Brisbane Powerhouse, The Lodge Bar or Cru Bar on James Street or the locals’ favourite Sunday sesh at Mrs Brown’s.

Drink delicious coffee at any time of day or night 

Coffee is great to help wake you up in the morning, pick you up in the afternoon or polish off a delicious dinner. But why stop there? The team at Death Before Decaf have heartily embraced the idea of “sleep when you’re dead”, offering properly good coffee 24/7. 

Indulge at some of Brisbane’s best restaurants 

The inner-north is best known for its café culture but also boasts some Brisbane fine-dining favourites. E’cco has been regarded as one of the city’s best restaurants for over 25 years and recent arrivals Siffredi’s, Rogue Bistro and Elska have serious culinary clout.

Pay tribute to submariners from Australia and the US 

The first thing you’ll notice about New Farm’s riverfront Submariners Walk Heritage Trail is the intriguing submarine-shaped benches at the Hastings Street end, but it serves a deeper purpose. The walk commemorates the service given and lives lost when a US Navy taskforce was based there in WWII.

Live your best Italian life with A-Grade pizza and gelato 

Brisbane mainstay Beccofino regularly tops lists of the city’s best pizza, for good reason. Grab one (or two) of its traditional Italian-style creations and top it off with equally excellent gelato from the nearby La Macelleria.

An exterior image of a local boutique grocery store at the Gasworks at Newstead and Teneriffe.

Gasworks, Newstead

Check out Gasworks 

Newstead’s heritage-listed former gasworks has been transformed into the booming suburb’s beating heart, along with the neighbouring Haven strip. You’ll find a top-notch grocer, tasty burgers, cheeses, meats, Italian, juices, smoothies, poke bowls and dessert options galore, so arrive hungry.

Take the free ferry to Bulimba or The City 

Aside from all the great things in New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead, one of the best things about the area is how close it is to everything else. Why not jump on the Cross River Ferry at Teneriffe and get to Howard Smith Wharves, Riverside or Bulimba within minutes.

A front view image of Bulimba Ferry Terminal.

Bulimba Ferry Terminal, Brisbane

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