Brisbane blossoms with new eateries

Brisbane, host city for the 2032 Olympic Games, is booming with the recent opening of several new eateries.

The Brisbane Economic Development Agency and Visit Brisbane have provided as list of what is hot and happening:

SAN TELMO

Brisbane City

Bringing its celebrated Argentine steakhouse style to Brisbane, San Telmo (above) has opened in the CBD with a space inspired by the dining rooms of 1960s Buenos Aires. Think plush booths, vintage chandeliers and low lighting. The menu is built around premium Argentine-style steaks cooked over fire, with larger cuts made for sharing. The menu features ceviche, empanadas and grilled king prawns before the meaty main event. he drinks list leans into Argentina, too, with wines, cocktails, craft beers and aperitivos.

DON GINO

West End

Bringing a taste of Sicily to West End, Don Gino has transformed the former Bar Hugo site on Hardgrave Road into a neighbourhood trattoria and wine bar. Sicilian chef and owner, Marco La Perna draws on generations of family recipes and hospitality, with a menu centred on simple southern Italian cooking and premium imported produce.Expect Sicilian favourites including panelle, arancini, fried calamari and mussels Siciliana, alongside hearty pasta dishes. The drinks list keeps the Italian spirit going, with more than 30 Italian and Sicilian wines, along with classic cocktails and imported soft drinks.

EON

Brisbane City

Japanese dining gets a late-night edge at Eon, a new addition in the heart of Brisbane's CBD. The menu honours traditional Japanese cuisine with a modern touch. The food is matched with cocktails with the experience designed to stretch well beyond dinner. It's a sleek new spot for lingering late into the night.

ELOISE & LOU PATISSERIE

Fortitude Valley

Classic French baking has landed in Fortitude Valley with Eloise & Lou, a new patisserie from pastry chef Adrien Marcinowski, formerly of Rise Bakery. The Wickham Street bakery takes a 'back to basics' approach, with Adrien returning to the traditional French techniques that shaped his career. Expect handcrafted patisserie and viennoiserie; buttery pastries and French classics. Coffee, too. 

BISTRO TINO

Fortitude Valley

The team behind Mosconi has opened Bistro Tino in a restored World War II era hangar in Newstead, aiming to bring the feel of a European neighbourhood bar to Brisbane. Designed as an all day eatery, the space draws inspiration from Italy's local corner bars. The menu keeps things simple, moving from breakfast into lunch with dishes including pan con tomate with yellowfin tuna, Italian sausage with silverbeet and butter beans, bifana rolls and market fish. Pastries and $2 standing espressos are a drawcard. 

INTERMISSION

West End

The team behind West End Electric has launched Intermission, a new bar and dining room on Boundary Street inspired by the glamour of London's West End. Cocktails take cues from classic candy bar treats with the Choc Top Martini, Popcorn Sour and Malt-Pleaser. Pair them with burrata, peach and prosciutto loaded crisps or loaded toasties. There's a secret door connecting Intermission directly to West End Electric for ticket holders.

PARKLANDS SOCIAL

Spring Hill

Spring Hill's newest opening aims to bring a slice of New York to Brisbane with a neighbourhood bar and grill inspired by the delis and dining institutions of the Big Apple. Located near Roma Street Parkland, it offers everything from morning coffee to long dinners. Think dishes like matzo ball soup and a Reuben stacked with house-made pastrami. The drinks list keeps the New York theme going with classic cocktails and signatures like the Spicy Vodgarita. 

ILO BAKEHOUSE

Wynumm

Wynnum's waterfront has a new addition with Ilo Bakehouse the latest concept from the team behind Sister, Butter and Alby's. The Scandinavian-inspired bakehouse sits opposite the foreshore in a design-led space. The pastry offering is kept deliberately tight with 12 items at a time, including sourdough croissants, orange and cardamom buns, miso butterscotch almond croissants and seasonal specials.

Sounds like BrisVegas might be worth a gourmet trip. 

New Spanish airline ready for take off

It would seem the height of optimism to launch a new budget airline in the current economic headwinds, but Fly2Galicia is preparing for take off by December. 

In an era of closures and mergers, the new carrier will offer flights linking the Spanish region and major European business and tourism centres non stop.

The Spanish airline has opened reservations ahead of its planned December 1 launch. 

It will initially offer 17 weekly departures from its base at Santiago de Compostela Airport to eight destinations in Spain and Europe.

The network will include Alicante, Zaragoza and Granada in Spain, alongside Brussels, Munich, Milan Malpensa, Prague and Venice Marco Polo. 

Alicante will receive three weekly flights, while the other seven routes will operate twice a week, travel news hub Travel Mole reports.

The first flights will depart December 1 to Zaragoza and Brussels, followed by Prague and Venice on December 2. Alicante, Granada and Munich begin December 3, with Milan Malpensa following on December 4.

Fly2Galicia will use leased Romania-based aircraft and crew supplied by Romanian operator FLYYO, while Fly2Galicia will handles sales, marketing and the commercial network. 

The company is considering adding a second aircraft for the 2027 summer season, potentially enabling further network expansion.

Thailand promising to crack down on miscreants

Bali recently jailed a badly-behaved Swiss tourist who disrespected Nyepi, the Balinese day of silence, and now Thailand is vowing to crack down on badly behaved tourists.

Thai authorities have warned that tourist visas could be revoked as they move to protect the country’s tourism image, The Nation newspaper reported.

The warning comes amid reports of inappropriate behaviour by foreign visitors in popular destinations including Pattaya, Koh Samui, Koh Phangan and Phuket.

Tourism and Sports Minister Surasak Phancharoenworakul said Thailand remains open to visitors of all nationalities but expects them to respect Thai laws, local culture and communities.

He said authorities would not ignore misconduct or allow isolated incidents to escalate into wider problems affecting tourism.

"Thailand is ready to welcome every tourist who respects Thai law and culture, but we will not allow the country to become a venue for symbolic expressions of conflicts that have nothing to do with Thailand,” he said.

The government is prepared to co-ordinate with immigration and other agencies to take immediate action, including visa revocation, against foreign tourists considered to be causing serious trouble.

The issue has received particular attention on Koh Samui, where local concerns have been raised about the behaviour of some Israeli tourists. 

Israeli visitor numbers to Samui and neighbouring Koh Phangan have increased, putting the destinations under greater scrutiny as authorities seek to manage tourism growth.

A Thai activist group submitted a letter outside the Israeli Embassy in Bangkok on August 24, urging Israeli tourists and residents in Thailand to "respect the country’s laws, customs and culture," Khaosodenglish.com reported.

Authorities in Koh Phangan said 13 foreign tourists had already had their visas revoked in recent weeks for inappropriate activities, highlighting the increasingly tough stance Thailand is taking toward unruly visitors.

Thailand has made clear that its tourism destinations should not be used as venues for political or symbolic activities linked to overseas conflicts.

Asked whether visas issued to visitors from particular countries would be reviewed, Surasak said authorities would consider each case individually.

Image: Bangkok, Suparerg Suksai, Scop.io

Two major Hunter Valley destinations to be re-imagined

All change at Hunter Valley resort Cypress Lakes.

Minor Hotels will launch Avani Cypress Lakes Resort in phases from October, ultimately creating Australia’s largest integrated resort wellness precinct across 340 acres.

The completed resort will offer 204 rooms and suites, mark the Australian debut of AvaniWell, and feature an 18-hole golf course, 24 meetings and events spaces, family experiences and new leisure and dining facilities.

The revamp is scheduled for completion late next year.

The development will bring together the existing Oaks Cypress Lakes Resort and adjoining Elysia Wellness Retreat.

Avani Cypress Lakes Resort will become the largest Avani property in Australasia.

The resort’s phased transformation will introduce three pickleball courts, an outdoor cinema, a pool bar with a DJ booth, Pilates reformers (sounds dangerous!) and outdoor cold-plunge pools. New dining concepts will include Chakraya, a restaurant inspired by the flavours and culinary traditions of Sri Lanka.

The resort will also offer a range of flexible packages for hotel guests and Hunter Valley residents, bringing together AvaniWell programs, AvaniKids activities, golf, hot-air balloon experiences and resort accommodation.

Craig Hooley, Chief Operating Officer of Minor Hotels Australasia, said the Hunter Valley had the attributes to become Australia’s home of wellness.

“We believe the Hunter Valley has all the hallmarks necessary to establish itself as Australia’s home of wellness,” said Hooley. “From winery visits and long-table lunches to Pilates classes, cold plunges and educational seminars, modern wellness is personal, flexible and increasingly integrated into everyday travel.

“Avani Cypress Lakes Resort has been designed around this shift, allowing guests to incorporate wellness into a family holiday, corporate retreat, golf escape or weekend break.

"The launch reflects Minor Hotels’ confidence in the continued growth of wellness-led and experiential travel across Australia, particularly in regional destinations.”

Rates and packages for Avani Cypress Lakes Resort will be available from October 1.

Avani properties in Australasia include Avani Mooloolaba Beach Hotel in May 2026 and the upcoming launch of Avani Queenstown next month.

For more info see avanihotels.com.

New restaurant offers an authentic taste of Tasmania

Tasmanians and visitors to the Apple Isle have a new venue in which to taste the state.

The Pooley family, among Tasmania's leading wine producers, this week launched a new restaurant identity in their Prospect Country House hotel in the Coal River Valley. 

   

The eatery has been re-named Buscombe’s Restaurant, in tribute to the estate’s historical origins and builders James and Elizabeth Buscombe, who established the elegant Georgian homestead around 1830 and were regional farming pioneers.

“The new name reflects Prospect’s commitment to honouring its heritage, while continuing to deliver elevated, regionally focused hospitality in the heart of the Coal River Valley,” hotel manager and family member Lisa Pooley said. 

Chef James Paul Miller (ex Peppina and Van Bone) leads the kitchen brigade at the historic and gracious mansion with an aim to showcase flavours from around the Apple Isle to be served alongside award-winning Pooley wines. 

Most of the ingredients will be sourced from local farmers, and some from the property's own kitchen garden.

Starters may include Tasmanian scallops on the half shell with celeriac cream, nori butter and toasted almonds.  

Think mains like local orange roughie with saffron potato fondant, confit cherry tomato, snow peas and fish veloute, or mouth-wateringly tender Central Highlands of Tasmania venison backstrap with parsnip cream, roasted root vegetables, toasted walnuts and chocolate jus. 

“With over 17 years of experience in some of Australia’s most respected kitchens, [chef] James brings a refined yet grounded approach to contemporary dining,” said hotel owner John Pooley.

Lisa Pooley (pictured above with chef Miller) said the restaurant menu aims to showcase a farm-to-table experience that reflects both the estate’s heritage and Tasmania’s seasonal bounty.

“Buscombe’s is not only a tribute to our past, but it also showcases the very best of our state," she said. 

The wine list features not just Pooley Wines, but also a selection of bottles from across Tasmania. 

Buscombe's at Prospect Country House, Richmond, and is open seven nights for dinner and Friday-Sunday for lunch. It is 20 minutes from Hobart CBD and 15 minutes from Hobart Airport. 

The hotel has 11 rooms but dining is open to non-residents all year round. See https://prospectcountryhouse.com.au/buscombesrestaurant 

Travelling with peptides? Be very careful

If you are a bodybuilder, biohacker, weight-loss enthusiast or looksmaxxer travelling with peptides then you might want do some research.  

What is perfectly legal in your own country could get you into trouble at your destination. 

Travellers carrying or personally using non-prescribed products could face medical bills, customs action and criminal penalties abroad, new research shows. 

Carrying research peptides across international borders could result in having products confiscated, related travel-insurance claims rejected and, in serious cases, criminal prosecution, Licensed Peptides reports. 

It says Dr Samuel Sarmiento, a physician and medical content reviewer for Licensed Peptides, reports  that travellers may wrongly assume that being able to purchase a peptide online means it can be legally carried abroad or will be covered by travel insurance.

Buying or carrying a research peptide would not necessarily void an entire travel-insurance policy but a claim connected to someone carrying or personally using a non-prescribed or unapproved product could be investigated and potentially rejected under the policy’s drug-use, illegal-activity, experimental-treatment or pre-existing-condition exclusions.

The traveller could then face two separate problems: action from customs authorities and an insurer refusing to pay the resulting costs.

Licensed Peptides says it supplies "research materials strictly for laboratory use. Its products are not approved for human consumption or therapeutic use".

Dr Sarmiento says anyone who personally uses a product carrying that label could find it particularly difficult to argue that it was a normal prescribed medication.

“A ‘research use only’ label is not a prescription, medical authorisation or guarantee of human safety.

If the product explicitly states that it is not intended for human consumption, but someone decides to inject or consume it, a travel insurer may examine whether the resulting medical event falls within one or more exclusions.

Buyer beware. Traveller be aware. 

* Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a specific warning about importing unapproved peptide products. The Australian regulator says products imported unlawfully may be seized and destroyed, while serious cases of illegal medicine importation can result in fines or imprisonment.