This Laid-back Australian City Is Quickly Becoming the Country's Coolest Coastal Destination

"Often referred to as Australia's "biggest country town," it's home to just under three million people and still small enough that everyone seems to know someone you know. Locals have always had a knack for self-deprecation, calling it the "Brown Snake" (after the river's snaking meander) or "Brisvegas," a tongue-in-cheek swipe at its sleepy pace and perceived lack of glamour."

"Then there's The Calile Hotel, the pastel-toned, palm-fringed property that cracked redefined what an urban hotel could be in Australia. More than a place to stay, it's an architectural statement and cultural touchstone. "There are no other hotels like it in Australia, despite many attempts to copy," says Marie-Louise Theile, the former journalist turned creative force behind the James Street precinct."

Brisbane has evolved from a convenient layover into a dynamic, self-assured subtropical capital with nearly three million residents. Local culture blends self-deprecating nicknames with growing civic confidence. Restaurants now feature chefs returning from larger Australian cities, and a surge in cultural exports and preparations for the 2032 Olympics are reshaping the skyline and identity. The Calile Hotel redefined urban hospitality with pastel tones, palm-fringed design, and architectural ambition, becoming both a statement and a touchstone. A wave of bold architecture, a thriving arts scene, and a restless creative undercurrent are reshaping public life and destination appeal.

Read at Travel + Leisure