KAYLA WRATTEN
Journalist

Brisbane is no longer seen solely as the gateway to the Sunshine State's surf beaches - it's now a thriving hotspot in itself. A wave of boutiques, Instagrammable restaurants and chic hotels has washed over Brisbane's Fortitude Valley - just to the north of the city's CBD - in response to a restless rustle for change. Don't fret though: the laid-back Queensland holiday atmosphere remains, and is seen in the new spaces' green lawns, coastal colour palettes and relaxed indoor-outdoor vibe. Choose between wandering down leafy streets speckled with enticing stores, or kicking back by the river at the new hotspot Howard Smith Wharves (HSW), but one thing is certain -  this precinct is stepping up its style game.

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