Suburb Profiles
Newstead (4006)
Owner-Occupier Appeal
Newstead is an upscale inner-city suburb about 3 km northeast of Brisbane’s CBD. Once a light industrial precinct, it has transformed into one of Brisbane’s most polished apartment neighbourhoods, defined by luxury high-rises, riverside promenades, and the buzzing Gasworks dining precinct. Owner-occupiers are drawn to the walkability, convenience, and modern living options - the suburb feels clean, safe, and architecturally consistent.
It’s especially popular with professionals and downsizers who prioritise lifestyle over land size. However, it does come with trade-offs: density, construction noise, traffic around Skyring Terrace and Breakfast Creek Road, and limited green space outside of Newstead Park. It’s ideal for people wanting a sophisticated urban lifestyle rather than a traditional suburban environment.
Investor Appeal
Newstead is a strong long-term investment suburb when buyers focus on high-quality, owner-occupier–weighted buildings. Complexes such as Pier at Waterfront, Portside (Mirvac), Lucent (Cavcorp), and Aqua Newstead consistently outperform due to superior design, amenity, and stable owner-occupier communities. These buildings attract executive tenants, corporate relocators, and downsizers, supporting low vacancy rates and reliable rental demand.
That said, the suburb’s mid-tier and older apartments can struggle to differentiate themselves in a competitive inner-city supply environment. High body corporate fees in resort-style complexes can also dilute returns. Investors should be selective - premium stock does very well, while generic units often underperform.
Key Suburb Features
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Demographics
The suburb attracts a high-income, highly mobile demographic - young professionals, executives, downsizers, and corporate relocators dominate the population. It’s one of Brisbane’s wealthiest suburbs by household income. The atmosphere is energetic and polished, though some parts of the suburb feel transient due to the high proportion of renters and short-term leases.
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Distance to City
Newstead is approximately 3 km from the CBD, with driving taking 8–12 minutes off-peak and 15–20 minutes during peak-hour. Bowen Hills train station is around a 10–12 minute walk and provides quick services into Central, while frequent bus routes along Skyring Terrace and Breakfast Creek Road offer reliable public transport options. Although Newstead itself does not have a CityCat terminal, residents can access river transport via Teneriffe (a short walk) or Bretts Wharf (a short drive), giving the suburb multiple convenient commuting choices.
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Suburb Projects & Growth Potential
Newstead sits at the centre of Brisbane’s inner-urban renewal zone, and its evolution from industrial precinct to prestige apartment hub continues to underpin long-term demand. Ongoing revitalisation around Gasworks, Skyring Terrace, and the Breakfast Creek waterfront - combined with Brisbane’s broader density push and upcoming Olympic infrastructure - provide strong fundamentals for future growth. The market has now matured, with values supported by scarcity of new sites, strong income demographics, and consistent owner-occupier appeal. While widespread apartment supply in the CBD and inner ring can temper short-term growth, Newstead’s top-tier buildings remain among the most resilient inner-city assets.
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Flood Risk
Newstead has mixed exposure, with the lower pockets closer to the river and Breakfast Creek having been affected in the 2011 and 2022 floods. Newer apartment complexes are generally built on elevated podiums with engineered flood resilience, but susceptibility still varies significantly building to building. Flood overlays should always be reviewed before purchasing.
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Best Buy in the Suburb
House: There are no traditional houses in Newstead - the suburb is almost entirely high-density residential.
Townhouse/Unit: A high-quality apartment in a premium building such as Pier, Lucent, or Aqua, ideally with strong owner-occupier weighting, stable body corporate management, and protected views.
Newstead is one of Brisbane’s most polished, lifestyle-driven suburbs. It’s ideal for people who want dining, gyms, riverfront walking paths, and effortless CBD access right on their doorstep. The trade-offs are the density, traffic, and the higher ongoing costs associated with premium apartment living - but for many residents, the convenience and amenity more than justify it.
For investors, it’s a suburb where quality matters more than anything else. The best buildings perform extremely well and remain sought-after, while mid-tier apartments can blend into the noise. Overall, Newstead offers one of Brisbane’s strongest inner-city living experiences, with long-term value supported by amenity, convenience, and demographic strength.
