Brisbane Archives - Ascot News

From St Margaret’s to The Lion King: Ascot Graduate Lands Dream Role in Disney Musical

St Margaret's Anglican Girls School/Facebook

Akari Komoto, a graduate of St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, has landed the role of Music Associate on Disney’s Australian production of The Lion King, currently playing at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney.

It is the kind of career milestone that tends to feel both earned and surprising at once, but for those who watched Akari move through St Margaret’s music programme between 2017 and 2021, the trajectory makes complete sense. She arrived at school not particularly fond of musical theatre. She left bound for one of the most celebrated stage productions in the world.

A teacher’s suggestion that changed everything

Akari credits a pivotal conversation in her final year of school for setting her on the path to musical directing. Her music teacher, Mr Ng, suggested she look into the field, a career direction she had never previously considered. After researching it herself, she realised musical directing combined everything she loved about music into a viable profession.

Before that conversation, her school years had already been building something. Akari performed in three St Margaret’s school productions, and by her own account, the experience transformed her relationship with musical theatre entirely.

“The school musicals were life-changing experiences,” Akari said. “I didn’t really like musical theatre at first, but I had the chance to play in three school productions, and with each one, I felt my love for the art form grow more and more. In the end, I went from disliking musical theatre to wanting to live and breathe it, and that’s when I knew I wanted to pursue it as a career.”

From Ascot, Akari went on to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), graduating with a Bachelor of Music Honours in Composition and Sonic Arts, before landing her role on The Lion King.

Sitting in the pit at the Capitol Theatre

The Music Associate role places Akari directly inside the production’s musical operation, and her first show as Keyboard 1 in front of a live audience was an experience she has described in vivid terms.

“It’s such a surreal and overwhelming feeling being part of this show,” Akari said. “From the very first note of ‘Circle of Life’, you can feel the audience shift as they’re taken back to the film and their childhood.”

“A moment that made it feel real was playing my first show as Keyboard 1 in front of an audience. I don’t think I’ve been that nervous in a long time — my arms and legs were shaking during the first song but by halfway through Act 1 I started to relax and really felt present with the rest of the band and cast. That was the moment when it really hit me.”

The production she is now part of has reached more than 124 million people worldwide across its decades-long run. The Australian season brings the full scale of that production to the Capitol Theatre, with the visual artistry, costume design and live musicianship that have made it one of the most recognised stage shows in history.

The show’s themes land differently from inside the pit

Working on The Lion King has given Akari an unexpected personal resonance with the story she helps tell every night.

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“In the short time I’ve been working on the show, it has made me more aware and prouder of my Japanese heritage,” she said. “That idea of understanding who we are because of the people who came before us is such a powerful message that should be constantly retold, and it’s something that resonates with me. To be able to play even a small part in sharing that legacy story with so many people is incredibly special and something I’m so grateful to be a part of.”

That reflection extends to how she thinks about the arts more broadly, and about the role that school communities play in shaping what young people believe is possible.

“The arts is truly a unique and powerful community,” Akari said. “It’s provided me with a sense of purpose and direction. It also fosters empathy and understanding in a world that should strive more towards those qualities.”

Experience the production live

Disney’s The Lion King is currently in a strictly limited season at the Capitol Theatre in Sydney. The production runs approximately two hours and thirty minutes including a 20-minute interval and is recommended for ages six and up. Accessible performances including Auslan-interpreted, audio-described and relaxed sessions are available during August.

Tickets and session information are available here.

Published 25-June-2026

Why This Deep-Fried Wagyu Curry Bun Is Turning Heads at Eat Street

Eat Street Northshore

OKO OKO, a new Japanese micro-restaurant at Eat Street Northshore in neighbouring Hamilton, is serving what its founders describe as the world’s first wagyu kare pan — a panko-crusted, deep-fried Japanese curry bun built around Queensland wagyu from the Darling Downs.

For Ascot residents who already make the short trip to Eat Street on a Friday or Saturday night, the new addition gives a compelling reason to visit. OKO OKO on 12 June behind a Shinjuku-styled pagoda facade, at 221D MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton, one of the most distinctive new fit-outs in the precinct’s history.

The kare pan — Japan’s beloved deep-fried curry bun, invented in Tokyo in 1927 and now the subject of its own annual national grand prix and a 50,000-member enthusiast association — has never previously been made with wagyu at its centre.

OKO OKO’s version uses Darling Downs wagyu from Sandalwood Feedlot, one of Australia’s oldest and most awarded producers, combined with a cheesy curry filling, panko-crusted and cooked to order.

Six months on a single dish

Founder Michael Otway says the kare pan took six months of development before the team was satisfied. “The dough, the curry, the wagyu, the cheese, the fry,” he said. “Queensland wagyu changes the dish. No kitchen in Japan or anywhere else has done it this way.”

The global head chef behind the menu previously worked at Nobu London and Yoko Brisbane. The full menu extends into okonomiyaki, yakisoba, yakisoba pan and other Japanese street food staples, all built to the same level of care as the hero dish.

OKO OKO is open at Eat Street Northshore every Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm and Sunday from 4pm to 9pm. Entry to Eat Street is $6 per person. Drive or take the CityCat to Northshore Hamilton, a 250-metre walk from the gate.

Published 13-June-2026

Anna Spiro’s Beloved Ascot Queenslander Has Found New Owners

Ray White

The Ascot home of celebrated interior designer Anna Spiro has sold immediately following its auction, passing to new owners who have taken on one of Brisbane’s most personally curated properties. Located at 10 Kidston Street, the circa-1920 character home spent two years bearing Spiro’s signature layering of colour, pattern and original period detail.

Spiro and her husband Luke Warwick, managing director of Melbourne-based Elliott Clarke Textiles, purchased the home in 2023 for $2.5 million. It changed hands on 16 May 2026 via Ray White Collective agents Matt Lancashire and Will Blewitt, with the final sale price withheld. The couple have already purchased another property in the immediate Ascot area, which Spiro is looking forward to transforming next.

“This house was always a temporary house for us,” Spiro said of the decision to move on. “We weren’t sure if we were moving to Melbourne or staying here at the time, and we’ve decided we need something bigger. Now it’s time for the next custodians to come and enjoy it.”

A home that wears its history well

The three-bedroom, two-bathroom home sits on a 607-square-metre corner allotment with a wide 20-metre frontage along Kidston Street. Privately set behind lush greenery, the property is positioned 250 metres from St Margaret’s Anglican Girls School, 5.5 kilometres from the CBD and 13 minutes from Brisbane Airport.

The circa-1920 bones remain beautifully intact, featuring classic hoop pine floors, a covered front verandah, sash windows and original pressed-metal ceilings.

The living and dining rooms feature a traditional fireplace, while the stone-top kitchen features premium Qasair, Miele and Smeg appliances. Outside, the property includes a swimming pool, courtyard and secure yard, complemented by extensive under-house storage and workshop space downstairs.

Spiro added her own distinctive style without disrupting the home’s historic integrity. She repainted the property inside and out, installed new cabinetry, air conditioning and fresh carpets, and hung her own custom window coverings.

The result balances more than a century of Queenslander character with the maximalist, pattern-driven aesthetic that has made her one of Australia’s most recognised interior voices.

The designer behind the home

Spiro began her design career at 17 as a junior assistant before establishing Anna Spiro Design a decade ago. Her portfolio spans residential projects across Australia, the UK and the US, alongside major hospitality commissions including northern New South Wales boutique hotel Halcyon House and Brisbane riverfront venues Mr Percival’s and Arc Dining.

Her reach also extends to a collaboration with global homewares retailer Anthropologie and two published books, A Life in Pattern and Absolutely Beautiful Things.

Her connection to the classic Australian architectural form is genuine and long-running. “This is a quintessential Queensland home for a family,” she said. “It’s all done and has a gorgeous garden.”

For international design enthusiasts, the home draws immediate comparisons to the fictional Heeler family house from the animated series Bluey—itself modelled on a classic, elevated Brisbane Queenslander—bringing global attention to how these iconic properties look and feel to live in.

The new owners inherit a very particular version of Brisbane history, shaped by a designer whose response to a place is always deeply personal. Spiro’s next residential project is already underway, located just one street over.

Published 18-May-2026

Beside the Racetrack in Ascot, a New Kind of Retirement Village Is Already on Its Third Stage

Keyton’s Bernborough Ascot beside Doomben Racecourse in Ascot has completed its second building, Poinciana House, sold it out entirely, and broken ground on a third stage, with the precinct emerging as the most watched example of vertical retirement living in Australia as the sector reshapes itself around what a new generation of retirees actually wants.

The project sits within Brisbane Racing Club’s $1.5 billion transformation of the Doomben and Eagle Farm racecourse precincts, about 8 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD.

What Keyton has built there is something Australia had not seen before: a retirement community designed vertically, in a genuine inner-city location, with the lifestyle amenity and design quality that older Australians have increasingly come to expect from premium residential living. Both completed stages have sold out. Stage three is now underway.

“We’re seeing a clear shift in what people want from retirement living,” Keyton CEO Nathan Cockerill said. “Many retirees want to live closer to the action and are choosing to stay close to the city, to services and to family, while also looking for homes that are secure, low maintenance and designed for the long term.”

Five Buildings, One Precinct, Built for Ageing in Place

Bernborough Ascot opened its first stage, Fig Tree House, in late 2020 with 69 one, two and three-bedroom apartments and a suite of resort-style amenities including the Master’s Lounge trackside bar and dining, a private cinema, library, art studio and gymnasium. Fig Tree House sold out entirely.

Poinciana House followed as the second stage, delivering 53 architecturally designed apartments with sweeping views over Doomben Racecourse and the Brisbane skyline. New community facilities arrived with it: an indoor heated magnesium pool, fitness studio, bowling green, consulting rooms with allied health services, salon, café, residents’ lounge and dining, and a rooftop terrace. Poinciana House also sold out.

Construction on Magnolia House, the third of five planned buildings, is now underway with Balmain & Co, the builder who delivered Poinciana House, and is due for completion by mid-2027.

Magnolia House will deliver 72 apartments across two and three-bedroom configurations, three premium trackside-facing penthouses and a rooftop dining and alfresco space. A waitlist for early access is open at keyton.com.au.

The full Bernborough Ascot masterplan spans five residential buildings, with the final two to follow Magnolia House in subsequent stages. When complete, the precinct will represent one of the most significant concentrations of purpose-built retirement living in inner Brisbane.

The Care Piece Is Coming Next Door

What makes Bernborough Ascot more than a premium apartment development is its integration with a broader continuum of care. Opal Healthcare is planning a six-storey, 190-bed aged care facility called Ascot Grove Care Community on an adjacent site within the BRC precinct, with construction planned to commence in 2026.

Photo Credit: *BCC / developmenti.brisbane.qld.gov.au*

When complete, it gives Bernborough Ascot residents the ability to move from independent living into residential aged care without leaving the precinct, the community or the relationships they have built.

Cockerill describes the model as reflecting a fundamental shift in how retirees think about where they choose to live.

“A new generation of retirees no longer view retirement communities as temporary housing, but rather as ‘forever homes’ where both independent living and potential eventual care needs are met within one continuum,” he said.

A Name That Honours a Racing Legend

The Bernborough name is no accident. It honours the legendary Queensland thoroughbred Bernborough. Barred from racing in Brisbane for several years, the “Toowoomba Tornado” went on to win 15 consecutive races after moving south, cementing his place as one of Australia’s greatest turf champions.

Naming the precinct after him ties the retirement village to the rich history of Doomben Racecourse, which it overlooks, and gives the development a strong sense of place that many generic high rise retirement projects lack.

The precinct holds a 6-Star Green Star Communities rating from the Green Building Council of Australia, one of the first retirement communities in the country to achieve that rating, recognising its sustainability credentials and urban regeneration contribution to the Ascot precinct.

For more information about Bernborough Ascot or to join the Magnolia House waitlist, click here.

Published 30-April-2026

New School Crossing Opens at Ascot State School to Improve Safety

Google Maps

A new supervised school crossing has opened at Ascot State School, one of two new Queensland school crossings to open in the first week of Term 2 2026, as the statewide School Crossing Supervisor Scheme continues its expansion to more than 700 schools across the state.

The crossing at Ascot is a practical and visible change for the hundreds of families who navigate the streets around the heritage-listed primary school each day at drop-off and pick-up. Nearby Our Lady Help of Christians Parish School is also set to benefit from a crossing supervisor under the same expansion programme, bringing improved pedestrian safety to two of Ascot’s most active school precincts.

The second Term 2 crossing opened at St John’s Catholic Primary School in Walkerston, with three more sites in Darling Heights, Rockhampton and Mudgeeraba set to follow before the end of May.

A Scheme That Covers More Than 700 Schools

The School Crossing Supervisor Scheme is a statewide programme, designed specifically to reduce the risk of death and injury to children on their way to and from school.

School crossing supervisor program — Photo Credit: *Transport and Main Roads Queensland*

Trained supervisors work at designated crossings during school arrival and departure times, directing both pedestrian and vehicle traffic and providing a visible, consistent presence that helps young walkers navigate busy roads safely.

The expansion currently underway will grow the scheme to more than 1,400 crossings at more than 700 Queensland schools, staffed by more than 2,100 supervisors. Since July 2025, two new crossings have opened and 20 existing crossings have been upgraded to dual crossings. A total of 33 schools across the state are set to receive new or upgraded crossings by the end of the current school year.

Applications for school crossing supervisors are assessed against established eligibility criteria and funding availability. Schools, parents and communities with road safety concerns around their school can also apply for support through the School Transport Infrastructure Programme (STIP), which funds safer crossings, stop-drop-and-go zones, and improved walking and cycling paths.

About Ascot State School

Ascot State School has served the Ascot community for more than a century, opening on 24 May 1920 on its current site bounded by Pringle, Anthony and Massey Streets.

Photo credit: Ascot State School/Facebook

It is one of Brisbane’s most significant heritage school campuses, added to the Queensland Heritage Register in 2017 for its rare urban brick buildings dating from 1920 to 1939, which incorporate educational murals in Block B that are among the few surviving examples of their kind in Queensland.

The school serves students from Prep to Year 6 and sits within a tightly residential precinct close to Racecourse Road and the Doomben and Eagle Farm racecourse precincts. The combination of school pedestrian traffic and local through-traffic has long made the surrounding streets one of the busier school-zone environments in the area, making the new crossing a meaningful addition to the morning and afternoon routine for families on foot.

Anyone interested in becoming a school crossing supervisor in the Ascot area can contact their local TMR road safety officer through this link.

For school road safety information and to apply for the School Transport Infrastructure Programme, click here.

Published 28-April-2026

Brisbane Airport’s Biggest Industrial Build Just Became Australia Post’s Most Powerful Parcel Hub

Chelsea O'Reilly/LinkedIn

Australia Post has opened its largest integrated air and parcel processing facility in the country at Brisbane Airport, a 78,000-square-metre hub capable of handling up to 250,000 parcels per day, as the organisation moves to keep pace with Queensland’s surging online shopping appetite and flags a further investment with a new Hobart facility due in late 2027.

The Mookin-Yaba Brisbane North Parcel Facility opened on 22 April, bringing together Express Post, StarTrack premium and international sea-to-shore freight processing under one roof for the first time in Queensland.

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff described it as the largest industrial project ever delivered at the airport precinct, calling it a purpose-built facility designed to support Queensland’s growth and strengthen the state’s logistics connectivity for decades to come.

For residents across Brisbane’s northside, the implications are practical and immediate. The facility sits inside the airport precinct adjacent to Ascot and serves as the primary air freight gateway for parcels moving in and out of Queensland, handling both inbound international shipments cleared through customs and outbound domestic express deliveries.

$17.8 Billion on the Ground

The $17.8 billion Queenslanders spent online last year has pushed existing infrastructure to capacity. The Mookin-Yaba facility scales operations to meet this demand, transitioning from abstract spending data to physical throughput,

Australia Post has opened its largest integrated air and parcel processing facility in the country at Brisbane Airport — Photo Credit: Chelsea O’Reilly/LinkedIn

Australia Post Group CEO Paul Graham said the new facility delivers both an immediate operational boost and a longer-term blueprint for managing growth.

“This facility provides an immediate boost to our operations, and its automation is the blueprint for speed and simplicity so that we can continue to respond to current and projected e-commerce growth across the state,” Graham said. “Queenslanders spent $17.8 billion online last year so we know they love their online shopping. It’s why we’re committed to investing in the right infrastructure that gives us a competitive edge to keep pace with demand.”

The facility accommodates almost 500 team members and is designed to remain the operational anchor for Queensland parcel movements for the foreseeable future.

Built for People and Dogs Alike

The engineering inside the facility is built around high-speed sortation technology, but the design also accounts for the operational realities of border security. Dedicated examination rooms for Australian Border Force and the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry are built directly into the facility layout, allowing biosecurity inspections to take place on site rather than at a separate location.

One feature that draws attention is the purpose-built respite rooms for working detector dogs. Climate controlled and designed to provide silence and darkness between duties, the rooms acknowledge that the animals performing biosecurity work at the facility need genuine rest to operate effectively.

On the sustainability side, the facility targets a 5-star Green Star rating and carries a 450 kilowatt solar system. Australia Post will own and maintain a battery to store excess electricity from that system, reducing the facility’s reliance on the grid during peak processing periods.

A Name That Honours the Oldest Communication Network in Australia

Australia Post named the facility in the traditional language of the Yuggera and Quandamooka Nation. Mookin-Yaba translates culturally as “Home of the Message Stick,” drawing a direct line between the ancient system of communication and diplomacy practised by First Nations peoples across this country and the modern function of a facility dedicated to moving messages and goods between communities.

The acknowledgement places the facility in the context of the land it occupies and the people whose Country it stands on.

Hobart Is Next, and Tasmania Is Ready

The Brisbane opening arrived alongside the announcement of Australia Post’s next major infrastructure project: a 12,000-square-metre parcel facility to be built adjacent to Hobart Airport, due for completion in late 2027 and subject to Clarence City authorities approval.

The Hobart facility will be capable of sorting up to 6,000 parcels per hour. Its position next to the airport will give Australia Post direct airside access to its fuel-efficient A321P2F freighter fleet, making it the only express service provider operating out of Hobart Airport and enabling faster delivery across southern Tasmania and into regional and remote areas.

Australia Post general manager network operations south Darren Mackenzie said the investment reflects the strength of Tasmanian online shopping growth.

“Tasmania continues to see strong online shopping growth, with $1.6 billion spent online in the past year, an 11 per cent increase year-on-year,” Mackenzie said. “Suburbs like Howrah are recording some of the highest parcel volumes in the state, and this new facility will help us meet that growing demand while giving local retailers the confidence to grow.”

The Brisbane and Hobart investments form part of a broader national infrastructure programme that also includes recently announced facilities in Adelaide and on the Sunshine Coast, reflecting the scale of the investment Australia Post is committing to its parcel network as online retail continues to reshape how Australians shop.

For tracking, delivery enquiries or business shipping options, visit auspost.com.au.

Published 26-April-2026

Queensland Loses the PGA Championship for First Time in 26 Years as Royal Queensland Prepares for 2032

PGA Championship

The BMW Australian PGA Championship will leave Queensland for the first time since 2000, with the 2026 edition heading to The Lakes Golf Club in Sydney after Brisbane’s Royal Queensland Golf Club enters a significant phase of upgrades in preparation for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The tournament, one of Australia’s most prestigious golf events, will run from 26 to 29 November at The Lakes in Sydney’s eastern suburbs, marking the first time New South Wales has hosted the PGA Championship in almost 30 years. The move brings to an end a 26-year Queensland run that has wound through three iconic venues and helped grow the event into a genuine global drawcard.

For Eagle Farm locals and Brisbane golf fans who have watched the PGA attract up to 50,000 spectators across four days at Royal Queensland over the past five years, the temporary departure stings. But tourism and events leaders are confident the championship will return to Queensland once the Olympic upgrade work is complete.

Why Royal Queensland Had to Step Aside

Royal Queensland will add a new nine-hole layout, a riverside pavilion, and enhanced training and recreational facilities as part of its approved masterplan, with the club confirmed as the venue for men’s and women’s golf events at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The club was granted its Royal Charter by King George V in 1921 and has hosted the Australian Open three times, but the scale of the Olympic preparation work now underway makes it unsuitable as a PGA host venue in the near term.

Photo Credit: Royal Queensland Golf Club (Nick of Airswing Media)/Facebook

The search for an alternative Brisbane home for the 2026 PGA Championship came up short. No venue within Queensland was found that could comfortably accommodate the event’s full footprint, including the 50,000 spectators across four days, the on-course infrastructure and the operational requirements the tournament now demands at its current scale.

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Craig Davidson said the venue change reflected Royal Queensland entering a significant phase of works to ensure the course met future world-class standards. “TEQ has a strong and longstanding partnership with the PGA and remains committed to ongoing discussions about future event opportunities for Queensland,” he said.

Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said a temporary relocation was expected given the upgrade timeline. “Queensland continues to lead as Australia’s events capital, with major upgrades to be delivered at Royal Queensland Golf Club ahead of Brisbane 2032,” he said. “We welcome future opportunities to see it return once the upgraded course is complete.”

Photo Credit: Andrew Powell MP/Instagram

Twenty-Six Years of Queensland Golf

The PGA Championship has been held in Queensland continuously since 2000, initially at Royal Queensland before moving to Hyatt Coolum, later renamed Palmer Coolum, for 11 consecutive years from 2002 to 2012, then to Royal Pines on the Gold Coast from 2013 to 2019. The event returned to Royal Queensland for 2021 and has remained there for the past five editions, building the tournament’s international stature alongside its co-sanctioning with the DP World Tour.

The BMW Australian PGA Championship launches the DP World Tour’s Race to Dubai each season and has become a key part of Australia’s sporting summer, with the world’s leading players regularly making the trip for what is now a genuinely global event. PGA of Australia CEO Gavin Kirkman described the move to Sydney as an exciting opportunity.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to partner with NSW authorities in bringing the BMW Australian PGA Championship back to Sydney,” he said. “The city is synonymous with world-class sporting events and we are thrilled that we are able to return to The Lakes Golf Club.”

The Lakes is a three-time previous host of the BMW Australian PGA Championship and has staged eight editions of the Australian Open, which it last jointly hosted in 2023.

Queensland Golf’s Broader Picture

While the PGA Championship heads south, Queensland’s women’s golf calendar is growing stronger. The 2026 Australian WPGA Championship was held at the Palms Course at Sanctuary Cove Golf and Country Club on the Gold Coast from 19 to 22 March, offering a $600,000 prize purse and co-sanctioned with the Ladies European Tour, with plans to build the event further as a major in its own right.

The PGA of Australia said it was focused on building momentum with the championship for the long term. “The BMW Australian PGA Championship has become a standout event on the DP World Tour and a key part of Australia’s sporting summer,” a spokesperson said. “Planning for future editions of the event is focused on building on that momentum and delivering an even better experience for players and fans.”

With Royal Queensland’s upgraded course and expanded Olympic-standard facilities expected to be complete ahead of 2032, Queensland golf’s flagship event has every reason to come home.

Published 17-April-2026

New Schneider Road Shared Path Fills Key Gap in Moreton Bay Cycleway at Eagle Farm

Queensland TMR

A new 600-metre shared path connecting the Moreton Bay Cycleway at the Schneider Road underpass in Eagle Farm to the Brisbane Airport precinct at Viola Place is now open, closing a long-standing gap in the cycling network that had frustrated northside riders for years.

The path, completed in late January 2026 after construction began in May 2025, gives cyclists, walkers and scooter riders a safe, continuous off-road connection between Eagle Farm and the airport for the first time. Dozens of cyclists turned out on opening morning to celebrate the new link, with a free pop-up coffee station set up along the path to mark the occasion.

For Ascot and Eagle Farm residents who commute to the airport precinct or connect to the broader cycling network from the northside, the new path removes the last significant off-road gap on this stretch of the Moreton Bay Cycleway. For riders arriving from Brisbane’s southside via the Gateway Bridge, it completes a critical northern link that previously forced cyclists onto road shoulders or into detours to continue their journey toward the airport and TradeCoast Central employment areas.

A Route Through the Gateway Motorway Corridor

The new path begins at the existing cycleway at Schneider Road in Eagle Farm, passes under the Gateway Motorway, and connects to the existing bike lane and footpath at Viola Place inside the Brisbane Airport precinct. The network map shows how the connection slots into a broader web of routes: northbound from Viola Place, riders can continue along Lomandra Drive into the airport precinct, or pick up the Jim Soorley Bikeway toward Nundah, Northgate and the Redcliffe Peninsula. Southbound, the path connects to the Moreton Bay Cycleway running toward Redland Bay and the Gateway Bridge, as well as the Southern Cross Way off-road path and on-road options along Lamington Avenue and Kingsford Smith Drive toward Hamilton and Northshore.

For Eagle Farm and Pinkenba workers, the Schneider Road connection also creates the first direct off-road cycling link to the TradeCoast Central precinct from the south, avoiding the need to navigate Nudgee Road or Sugarmill Road on-road.

What the New Path Includes

The shared path varies between 2.5 and 3 metres in width, comfortably accommodating cyclists and pedestrians travelling in both directions. The path features solar-powered LED lighting along its full length for safe travel at all hours, a reconstructed weir and new waterway crossing where the path crosses a drainage channel near the Gateway Motorway, a kerb ramp at the Viola Place end for smooth access to the airport’s existing bike lane and footpath, and wayfinding signage and line marking throughout to guide riders unfamiliar with the route. Landscaping and turfing are also included, with minor tree removals carried out in consultation with a qualified arborist during construction.

Connecting Eagle Farm to a 150-Kilometre Network

The Moreton Bay Cycleway spans 150 kilometres of Brisbane’s coastline, connecting the Redcliffe Peninsula, the Sandgate and Shorncliffe foreshore, and the Wynnum and Manly foreshore to one another and to major inner-city bikeways. The cycleway links to the Gateway Bridge Bikeway, Kedron Brook Bikeway, Jim Soorley Bikeway and Gateway North Bikeway, and when complete may become one of the longest cycleways on Australia’s east coast spanning three local government areas.

The Gateway Bridge shared path, free for pedestrians and cyclists, is a busy crossing point used daily by commuter and recreational riders connecting Brisbane’s southside to the northside. With the Schneider Road link now in place, a rider can cross the Gateway Bridge from Murrarie, continue through Eagle Farm under the motorway, and reach the Brisbane Airport precinct, the TradeCoast Central employment hub or the Jim Soorley Bikeway entirely on off-road paths. That seamless connection is what active transport advocates in the area have sought for some time.

Around 25,000 people travel to Brisbane Airport each day for work, a number expected to grow by around 20,000 over the next two decades. Brisbane Airport’s draft 2026 Master Plan includes a series of active transport initiatives across the precinct, aimed at giving workers lower-cost and healthier commuting options as the airport precinct expands.

How to Access the New Path

The new shared path is open at all hours. Riders approaching from the south can access the Schneider Road underpass from Kingsford Smith Drive via Lamington Avenue, or from the Moreton Bay Cycleway running north from the Gateway Bridge. Riders within the airport precinct can connect from Viola Place.

More information is available here. The project team can be reached on 07 3178 5413 during business hours, or 07 3403 8888 at any time.

Published 26-February-2026.

This Week in Brisbane: Horror Icons and Arthouse Classics from 26 February to 4 March 2026

Cinemas across Brisbane light up this week with the terrifying return of a horror icon and a brand-new drama. Whether you’re ready to face Ghostface once again or looking to dive into international cinematic masterpieces at GOMA, there’s something fresh to enjoy on the silver screen.

Opening This Week

Scream 7

In cinemas from 26 February

Do you like scary movies? Ghostface is back to terrorize a new set of victims in the highly anticipated seventh installment of the iconic slasher franchise. Catch it at Event Cinemas (City, Carindale, Chermside, Indooroopilly, Mt Gravatt), Palace, Dendy, Five Star Cinemas, Cinebar, Angelika, Reading, Cineplex, and HOYTS.

Solo Mio

In cinemas from 26 February

A fresh new drama hits the screens this week. Catch it at Event Cinemas (City, Carindale, Chermside, Indooroopilly, Mt Gravatt), Angelika, Cinebar, Cineplex (Balmoral, Victoria Point, Redbank), Reading, HOYTS, and United Eldorado.

GOMA: Cinema Masterpieces

Special screenings at the Gallery of Modern Art

Days of Heaven (1978) – 27 Feb
Querelle (1982) – 27 Feb
Shadows of Forgotten Ancestors (1965) – 28 Feb
The Colour of Pomegranates (1969) – 28 Feb
The Lighthouse (2019) – 4 Mar

Still Showing

EPiC: Elvis Presley in Concert

The King’s immersive concert experience continues to rock major cinemas across Brisbane.

Fackham Hall

The hilarious British period drama spoof is still delivering laughs at Event, Palace, Dendy, and Five Star Cinemas.

Crime 101

Chris Hemsworth’s gritty heist thriller continues its run at Event, Palace, Dendy, and HOYTS.

Wuthering Heights

Margot Robbie’s modern take on the gothic romance is still showing across the city.

From edge-of-your-seat slashers to visually stunning art-house classics, Brisbane’s cinemas are packed with incredible stories this week. Grab some popcorn and enjoy a screening near you.

Weekend Arts Edit: Nell Gwynn Premiere and Candlelight Concerts on 27 February to 1 March 2026

This is a massive weekend for the arts in Brisbane. The blockbuster Art of Banksy exhibition enters its final days in the CBD, while QPAC is buzzing with everything from the lush cinematic sounds of The Music of John Williams to the lavish stage production of The Great Gatsby. For art lovers, Saturday offers a rare chance to hear directly from contemporary painters like Carlos Barrios and Helle Cook at their respective gallery talks.

The Art of Banksy “Without Limits” Chapter Two

20 February – 1 March 2026 | Uptown, Brisbane City
Get Tickets

Do not miss your last chance to experience the underground energy of the world’s most elusive street artist. This unprecedented new chapter features over 300 artworks—including more than 100 original pieces—alongside cutting-edge holograms, sculptures, and immersive installations.

The Music of John Williams

27 – 28 February 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
Get Tickets

Experience the cinematic magic of the world’s greatest film composer. The Queensland Symphony Orchestra brings the iconic, sweeping scores of Star Wars, Jurassic Park, Indiana Jones, and Harry Potter to life in a spine-tingling live performance.

The Great Gatsby

12 February – 8 March 2026 | Playhouse, QPAC, South Brisbane
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Step into the roaring twenties. Queensland Theatre’s lavish production of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s masterpiece continues its dazzling run. Expect glitz, glamour, and tragedy as Jay Gatsby tries to win back his lost love in a world of excess.

Blanc de Blanc Encore

19 February – 19 April 2026 | The West End Electric, West End
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The champagne-soaked party is back in West End! Blanc de Blanc Encore serves up a hedonistic blend of vintage French cabaret, jaw-dropping circus acts, and cheeky comedy. It’s a high-energy, adults-only night out.

Nell Gwynn

28 February – 7 March 2026 | New Benner Theatre, Metro Arts, West End
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Travel back to 17th-century London in this vibrant, award-winning comedy. Nell Gwynn tells the story of an unlikely heroine who goes from selling oranges in the West End to becoming Britain’s most celebrated actress (and the King’s mistress).

Institute of Modern Art (IMA) Events

28 February 2026 | IMA, Fortitude Valley Immerse yourself in contemporary discussions and live art this Saturday at the IMA:

Platform 2026 Performances: Experience bold new performance art from emerging creatives pushing boundaries. More Info
Are the Arts for Everyone?: A thought-provoking panel discussion tackling accessibility, inclusion, and the role of art in modern society. More Info

The Other Side of Me

27 – 28 February 2026 | Cremorne Theatre, QPAC, South Brisbane
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Catch this compelling theatrical exploration of identity, culture, and connection. It is a deeply personal and physically dynamic performance playing for two nights only in the intimate Cremorne Theatre.

Live Jazz at the Brisbane Jazz Club

27 February – 1 March 2026 | Kangaroo Point

Emma Pask Quartet (Fri 27 & Sat 28): One of Australia’s favourite jazz vocalists brings her effortless charm and swing to the riverside. Tickets
Andy Cowan Band (Sun 1 Mar): Wind down your weekend with some premier blues and roots piano. Tickets

Candlelight Concerts

27 – 28 February 2026 | Grand on Ann, Brisbane City

Experience the magic of live music illuminated by thousands of candles in a stunning heritage venue:

Tribute to Taylor Swift: Classical renditions of the pop icon’s biggest eras. Tickets
Tribute to Queen & The Beatles: A string quartet takes on the greatest hits of British rock royalty. Tickets

Gallery Exhibitions & Artist Talks

Various Locations

Carlos Barrios | ‘Heart Songs’ (Artist Talk: Sat 28 Feb, 2pm): Mitchell Fine Art, Fortitude Valley. Hear Barrios discuss his life-affirming, expressive paintings informed by his upbringing in El Salvador. More Info
Helle Cook | Nature of Light (Artist Talk: Sat 28 Feb): Jan Manton Gallery, Teneriffe. Engage with the artist on her luminous, atmospheric works before the exhibition closes this weekend. More Info
Fiona Omeenyo | Night & Day: FireWorks Gallery, Bowen Hills. Explore striking contemporary Indigenous works from the celebrated Lockhart River artist. More Info

Hush

1 March 2026 | Concert Hall, QPAC, South Brisbane
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The Southern Cross Soloists present Hush, a sublime Sunday afternoon concert featuring exquisite chamber music designed to soothe the soul and showcase breathtaking virtuosity.

British Film Festival Premiere: Midwinter Break

1 March 2026 | Palace Barracks & Palace James St Cinema
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Get a sneak peek at the Russell Hobbs British Film Festival with this special preview screening of Midwinter Break, a touching and beautifully acted drama about a couple reflecting on their long marriage during a trip to Amsterdam.

This weekend is a pivotal one for Brisbane’s arts scene. With the blockbuster Art of Banksy exhibition finally closing its doors, this is your absolute last opportunity to experience its immersive installations. Meanwhile, theatregoers are spoiled for choice with the opening of the lively comedy Nell Gwynn in West End and the ongoing spectacle of The Great Gatsby at QPAC. Whether you are losing yourself in the sweeping cinematic scores of John Williams or exploring contemporary conversations at the IMA, there is a profound depth of culture to experience before autumn officially arrives.