North Quay Office Tower May Soon Be the New Workplace for Services Australia

A $600-million office tower in Brisbane’s CBD is primed for development as a potential, new workplace for over 4,000 public servants.

Developed jointly by Cbus Property and Nielson Properties, the development dubbed ‘205 North Quay’ is designed to become a “new benchmark for workplace well-being.”



Cbus Property and Nielson Properties, alongside the Raniga family, have been finalising a deal to secure Services Australia, which handles Medicare, Centrelink, and Child Support Agency, as its tenant. 

Photo Credit: Development Application/BCC

205 North Quay is expected to deliver cutting-edge design from acclaimed architecture firms Hassell, New York-based REX, and Brisbane’s Richards & Spence.

As a world-class commercial space, this tower will include a wellness centre on one floor, a lap pool, childcare facilities, cafes and restaurants, an auditorium, facilities for events and celebrations, communal rooftop space, and outdoor terraces on every level. 

Photo Credit: Artist’s Impression/Development Application/BCC

“The proposal will promote the clustering of business uses and promote an increase in the intensity of uses within the CBD. Furthermore, the development effectively promotes Brisbane’s vision as a new world city by providing a unique and noteworthy addition to the city’s skyline and specifically seeking to achieve the outcomes of the Buildings that Breathe Design Guideline,” the planner, Urbis, stated in the development application (DA A005493795). 

Photo Credit: Artist’s Impression/Development Application/BCC

“The development offers a mix of uses and diversifies the offering of services within the CBD which also supports the intent and purpose of the Principal Centre Zone and city centre area.”

“To assert both the subtropicality and wellbeing focus for 205 North Quay, a full tower floor will be dedicated to wellness, which will be inclusive of an extensive end-of-trip offering, exercise studios, healthy eating offerings, consultation suites and a 25-metre lap pool overlooking the Brisbane River,” Nielson Properties’ Director, Ross Nielson, said.

Photo Credit: Artist’s Impression/Development Application/BCC

The new building is also aiming to achieve 6 Green Star rating and 5.5 Star NABERS Energy rating as the designers have incorporated efficient use of natural light, compounded by LED lights and sensors, to reduce energy costs. 

Photo Credit: Artist’s Impression/Development Application/BCC

Cbus Property’s Chief Executive Officer Adrian Pozzo said that this is a “unique opportunity” to create a trailblazing office tower with the workers’ health and wellbeing in mind because of the impact of COVID-19 on working spaces. 



The developers have submitted DA A005493795 in 2020. The application is currently under appeal, pending minor changes. 

The Famous Brisbane Night Noodle Markets are Returning!

As part of Good Food Month, the Brisbane Night Noodle Markets are returning to Brisbane from September to October 2021, serving up a series of delectable street food from all over Asia. 



To celebrate Good Food Month, the Brisbane Night Noodle Markets are back at an all-new and exciting venue: the City Botanic Gardens. The market will run from the 22 Sept 2021 all the way to the 3 Oct 2021. Entry will be completely free, however registration is encouraged in order to comply with COVID-19 safety and prevention measures. 

Attendants will be able to indulge themselves with delicious street food from all across Asia from countries such as Japan, Taiwan, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Among the many stalls present throughout the event, people can expect to bump into familiar names such as Hoy Pinoy, Bao Brothers Eatery, Flying Noodles, and Bangkok Street Food — all serving up delicious and authentic food from their respective countries.

Pad Thai Prawn, available at Bangkok Street Food. 
Photo credit: Good Food Month

Other food stalls that will be present at the markets include Schilly, Calabang, Hashtag Burgers and Waffles, and Twistto. Schilly in particular offers wraps and skewers, and Twistto specialises in Korean Twist Potato on a stick. Hashtag Burgers and Waffles offers a series of delectable burgers and chips, whereas Calabang provides people with calamari on sticks. 

Crispy Calamari, available at Calabang. 
Photo credit: Good Food Month

Food won’t be the only thing available throughout the Brisbane Night Noodle Markets, however, for those who attend the event can also lose themselves to the beats and tunes brought about by live musicians and DJs to amp up the evening. The market is also dog-friendly, meaning customers are free to bring their canine companions with them to enjoy the event. 

Hosted by Citi Australia, Good Food Month is the largest food festival in the country, spanning across numerous states to celebrate and respectfully acknowledge the traditional owners of the land with a celebration of diverse food and beverages.

The City Botanic Gardens can be found at 147 Alice St, Brisbane City. Those interested in booking, or simply learning more about the event can visit the Good Food Month website here. For the latest updates on meals, stalls, dates, and other special announcements concerning the events, follow their social media pages on Facebook and Instagram.

The Million Paws Walk: New RSPCA Fundraiser Walks the Talk

The RSPCA’s special event, “The Million Paws Walk”, encourages dog owners across Brisbane to declare their love for animals by walking their dogs. Participants can choose between promenading with their pets at The Barracks or joining the virtual event and doing a neighbourhood walk instead. 



The Million Paws Walk was conceptualised as a means of raising awareness for dogs in need. Everyday, people can become heroes just by signing up for the event, walking their dogs, and sharing pictures to help get the word out. 30,000 dogs end up at RSPCA shelters a year, meaning 82 dogs require their help every single day. 

Until the 13th of May 2021, The Barracks in Brisbane will be hosting a dedicated grassy area for people to bring their dogs as part of the RSPCA’s special event “The Million Paws Walk”, making it the ideal site for picture-taking, walks, and canine socialisation. In order to participate, all those interested have to do is register. 

Photo credit: Instagram/RSPCA

Other activities at the venue include their treasure hunt, which will provide dog-owners with special passports while they search for various items of interest. Dogs will also be able to eat custom-made and dog-safe ice cream and receive treats and toys while their owners will be given specialised doggy bags full of goodies. Funds raised will be spent on catering to the needs and happiness of the dogs in RSPCA shelters. 

Due to complications brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual alternatives will also be available as part of the event such as their special “Walk This May” where dog owners will be able to walk their dogs for 30, 45, or 60 minutes a day all throughout May to raise money for the RSPCA. 

Photo credit: Instagram/RSPCA

The Million Paws Walk: Walk This May event celebrates the love people have for animals in a safe and healthy manner as people can walk in their own backyards and neighbourhoods to minimise their exposure to the virus. 

Participants can raise funds for the RSPCA by purchasing merchandise, and these funds will contribute to the organisation’s efforts to provide 112,000 Australian animals with love, care, and new homes each and every year. 

Those interested in signing up and taking part, purchasing merchandise, or simply learning more about The Million Paws Walk can visit their website here. As for the special grassy area hosted at The Barracks, the site can be found at 61 Petrie Terrace, Brisbane. 

Riverside QUT InFusion Markets Now Open Every Sunday

The Riverside QUT InFusion Markets on Main Drive at the QUT Gardens Point campus have finally opened, serving as an extension for City Botanic Gardens’ famous Riverside at the Garden Market. 



Those who attend the Riverside QUT InFusion Markets can expect to find snacks and cuisine from various cultures, as well as art and products handmade by local artists who’ve drawn inspiration from all around the world.

Buskers, performers, and live music will be present all throughout the venue to provide the area with sounds that make for a cool atmosphere. 

Visitors will be able to purchase ethically-made clothing and accessories fashioned from vintage fabrics and eco-friendly materials. Candles, soap, jewelry, and countless other crafted products made locally by independent artisans will be sold at the market. 

Food is also available at the venue such as a Wild Rissole stall that sells gourmet burgers and chips, as well as Fritz Wieners gourmet German sausages. Those interested in eating authentic African food will be able to do so at the market, along with slow-cooked Aussie brisket and beverages for people to treat themselves to like iced tea. 

The market will run up all the way to the 26th of December, giving interested parties ample time to visit and return all throughout the year. It will be open every Sunday from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. along Main Drive at QUT Gardens Point campus, which is located at 2 George St, Brisbane City. 

For the latest updates and announcements concerning the Riverside QUT InFusion Markets, follow their social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram

Wonderful Day with ‘Friends’ at The Brunch Club Brisbane

A wonderful “frenaissance” is happening in Brisbane, more than 25 years since “Friends” bowed out of television! The Brunch Club is mounting a “Friends”-themed brunch (of course!) at a still-undisclosed location in Brisbane this autumn.

The event, aptly named “The One Where They All Went For Brunch,” is going to run for one time only on Sunday, the 26th of April 2020. This early, however, you may already register to receive notifications, including when to score the tickets to this exclusive brunch party. Word on the street is that the venue will be a 10-minute drive off the CBD. 



“The One Where They All Went For Brunch” will be a two-hour spectacle (12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.), where guests may enjoy playing “Friends”-themed charades and trivia. Be sure to tap a friend who’s really good at Lightning Rounds for a sure win! 

Guests may also win prizes for the “Friends” costume competition. If you come dressed up as the Holiday Armadillo, you’re good to go! 

Photo Credit: Friends (TV Show)/Facebook

The brunch will also feature a screening of select “Friends” episodes. Ross’s favourite moist maker sandwiches could be on the menu along with heaps of appetizers and bottomless drinks. 

This is strictly an 18-year-old-and-above event. “The One Where They All Went For Brunch” is also going to be taking place in Sydney and Melbourne before it comes to Brisbane.



Reddacliff Place to Host 2nd Mind-Bending ‘Flight + Séance’ Show from Darkfield Australia

Reddacliff Place is hosting an immersive show that’s sure to give you the cold creeps, as Darkfield Australia is bringing back another sensory experience like no other in “Flight + Séance” from Thursday, the 19th of Sept 2019, until Saturday, the 5th of Oct 2019.

Attempting to communicate with spirits comes to mind when you hear the word “séance” but this show has no supernatural element to it. Nonetheless, Flight + Séance is guaranteed to arouse a sense of terror in you if you’ve got quite an imaginative mind. But it’s all done in the name of fun, adventure, and a unique experience.



During the Séance, you will be asked to sit with a small group of people inside a completely dark white shipping container with a headset on. For 20 minutes, you’ll listen to unusual and unknown sounds that may raise the hair on the back of your neck as you conjure some scary scenes in your mind.

Darkfield Australia introduced Séance to Brisbane last year for the Brisbane Festival. Now that it’s coming back, they have upped the ante by adding another show in Flight.  

Photo Credit: DarkfieldAU/Facebook

Flight works the same way, as you will also be seated next to a group of people inside a container with the lights off and with sound coming only from the headset. This time, however, the sound will simulate something you’re probably familiar with — being 30,000 feet above the ground. 

Except that this immersive experience will be amplifying sounds like the whirring of the airplane’s engine or crying children inside the plane. The challenge here is you would be powerless to do something about it for the duration of the show. There’s no other choice but to take everything in.



The whole idea of Flight + Séance is like a psychological experiment and you could surprise yourself by the things you’d imagine from this experience. 

Be forewarned, however, as these immersive shows have been described as unsettling, especially if you’re not comfortable being inside a small and enclosed place or if you easily scare.

If you’re brave enough to give it a try, however, book your ticket and choose your date for Flight + Séance online. The show begins at 6:00 p.m. 

Enchanted Garden Lights Up for Christmas in Brisbane

Something enchanting is happening in Brisbane in December as Roma Street Parkland lights up the Enchanted Garden.

From Friday 8 December until Sunday 17 December, the Enchanted Garden will delight with its Christmas lights display twinkling along some captivating music. Guests are sure to enjoy meandering through the Christmas light installation that will liven up the festive season.

Enchanted Garden is a free event and bookings are not required. It is located at the Spectacle Garden of Roma Street Parkland.

Event Details:

What: Enchanted Garden
When: Friday 8 December 2017 – Sunday 17 December 2017
6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Where: The Spectacle Garden
Roma Street Parkland, 1 Parkland Boulevard, Brisbane
Cost: FREE
Bookings not required.

While visitors are not required to book to enter the Enchanted Garden, they may have to expect to wait to enter the garden. Guests will be admitted in a staggered manner to ensure crowd safety. It is highly recommended to come in early to minimise wait time.

Visitors driving to the event can avail of the $5 all-day parking deal at Brisbane Transit Centre Car Park at 151 Roma Street. Secure parking at https://www.secureparking.com.au/en-au and enter promo code XMAS17. A $1 booking fee will apply.

The Enchanted Garden is just one of the free Christmas events in Brisbane. Find other free Christmas events not to miss in inner-city Brisbane.