Nestled against the banks of the Brisbane river lies the unique village suburb of Hawthorne, home to trendy coffee shops, boutique supermarkets, an antique theatre and renovated Queenslanders. This is the suburb to see and be seen in. It is proving to be very popular for buyers right now and an increasing amount of development is moving into the suburb, with plenty of new apartments being built along many of its main thoroughfares with commercial and café space underneath.
For a bit of trivia, the suburb is name after the hawthorne bushes that were planted in the area by its original settler William Baynes during the 1850’s and 1860’s and the suburb gradually grew from a farming district into the trendy residential hub it is today.
Hawthorne adjoins the upmarket suburb of Bulimba and its two main roads, Hawthorne Road and Riding Road, lead straight into the heart of the popular Oxford Street and its many dining and retail options.
One of the most popular haunts in Hawthorne is the Hawthorne Garage, easily spotted by the vintage flatbed truck that resides in its front yard. This ultra trendy development houses a boutique supermarket, deli and fresh food market, catering to the finer things in life. It also has a large coffee shop with plenty of outdoor seating that is constantly bustling with locals and visitors to the suburb alike. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee, complete with mini gingerbread man and a bite to eat.
Lying in the centre of Hawthorne is Hawthorne Park, which offers a green retreat and plenty of space to take the kids for a kick of the footy, or enjoy a picnic and BBQ.
Directly adjoining the park is the Hawthorne Cineplex, which is an antique cinema complex opened in the 1940’s that today screens the latest movies at some of Brisbane’s best prices and away from the hustle and bustle of a major shopping centre. The cinemas are open daily and there is a kids’ café located around the back.
For trendy designer wares, or second-hand bargain take a stroll along Riding Road and discover the many stores that dot this leafy street.
The suburb also has a large professional focus, including a medical centre and chemist, offering GP services and specialist medical services, as well as architecture and design firms. There is also a large Pilates and yoga studio for a bit of exercise.
Sitting atop the Hawthorne Hill overlooking Brisbane city and the river below is Lourders Hill College, which is an independent girls’ college that opened its doors in 1916.
Hawthorne has easy access to Brisbane City via the newly redeveloped Hawthorne Ferry Terminal, with Citycats arriving every fifteen minutes or so. The terminal lies in the heart of Hardcastle Park, offering a great green space to spread a rug and enjoy a picnic with river views, or a game of basketball, or just let the kids escape to the playground. The park overlooks the old woolsheds of Teneriffe, providing a picturesque backdrop to a day in the sun.
Houses in the suburbs have some of the best views Brisbane has to offer, with many enjoying direct river frontage, while those on higher ground enjoy sweeping views of the city skyline and the Story Bridge.
No matter what your budget, Hawthorne has plenty to offer, from its more affordable apartment living, to its larger duplexes, to its sprawling riverfront properties. If you’re looking to enter the Brisbane property market and settle in the city’s eastern suburbs, Hawthorne is one of the best.
