An overlooked pedestrian tunnel in Toowong has been converted into a large-scale immersive street art space, with Brisbane artists Sofles and Drapl covering the walls and ceiling with bold murals that are attracting attention from locals and visitors. The High Street tunnel, located between the Royal Exchange Hotel and Toowong Village and Train Station, has shifted from a plain walkway into a public art destination designed to brighten daily commutes and encourage community connection.
The project was recently completed following about a week of painting and planning, according to social media posts from organisers and community representatives.
Local Artists Lead Public Space Transformation
The artwork was created by Brisbane-based street artists Sofles and Drapl, both recognised for their work locally and overseas. The pair were selected to transform the tunnel into a fully covered mural environment, using vibrant shapes and layered colour patterns to change the space’s feel.
The project goal is to trial creative ways to improve public infrastructure and reduce the number of plain or ageing spaces across the city. Posts promoting the artwork suggested the tunnel transformation was part of a broader effort to rethink how pedestrian links and underpasses are maintained and used.
The tunnel sits beneath High Street, linking foot traffic between the Royal Exchange Hotel and Toowong Village, close to Toowong Train Station. Visitors have been encouraged through social media to walk through the tunnel to experience the artwork in person, with organisers highlighting the layered design that surrounds pedestrians from every angle.
Community reaction shared online noted that the colourful design makes the walkway feel safer and more welcoming. The project is being viewed by organisers as a trial for future public art upgrades across Brisbane’s transport and pedestrian networks.
Architectural photographer Richard Stringer of Toowong has been appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for his significant service to architectural photography, education and history.
The 89-year-old Toowong resident has spent over six decades documenting Queensland’s built environment, creating an archive of more than 63,000 negatives now held at the State Library of Queensland. His photographs captured many of Brisbane’s historic buildings before demolition, preserving visual records that would otherwise be lost.
Forensic Precision Meets Architectural History
Stringer arrived in Brisbane in 1963 after studying architecture at the University of Melbourne. He joined renowned architect James Birrell’s practice at the University of Queensland, where architecture and photography merged into his life’s work.
His photographic approach treats the medium as forensic documentation rather than artistic interpretation. This technical precision means his images serve as detailed records of structural design and architectural elements that researchers and historians now rely on to understand Queensland’s architectural evolution.
The State Library of Queensland’s acquisition of his complete archive ensures permanent public access to this visual history spanning Brisbane’s dramatic transformation from the 1960s onwards.
Preserving Brisbane’s Vanished Spaces
Stringer’s most valuable contribution came through capturing buildings destined for demolition. His photographs of the Bellevue Hotel precinct and other lost buildings provide some of the most detailed visual records of these spaces.
This archival thinking set him apart. Rather than creating promotional images, Stringer built a comprehensive record of Queensland’s architectural heritage, photographing buildings at different life stages including decay and demolition.
Teaching and Professional Recognition
Beyond photography, Stringer influenced countless architects and photographers through decades of teaching. The Toowong Australia Day recipient holds Honorary Life Membership with the Institute of Modern Art and Fellowship with the Royal Australian Institute of Architects.
In 2003, the University of Queensland awarded him an honorary Doctor of Philosophy for documenting the state’s cultural legacy. His work reached wider audiences through exhibitions, notably Pleasure of Place at QAGOMA in 2013-2014.
The recognition highlights how one resident’s meticulous work over 60 years created an irreplaceable public resource. Stringer’s archive doesn’t just document buildings, it preserves visual evidence of how Brisbane transformed from a regional city into a modern metropolis.
For Toowong residents, having a neighbour recognised nationally for work benefiting all Queenslanders demonstrates the area’s role as home to people making lasting cultural contributions. His archive will serve researchers and the public for generations, long after the buildings themselves have vanished.
More than 1,100 people on bikes and e-scooters travel the Sylvan Road Bikeway corridor each weekday in Brisbane’s inner west, despite the route running directly alongside traffic with no physical separation. Plans are now advancing fora protected bikeway through Toowong.
Early works are expected to start from mid-2026, with a target completion in 2028, after community consultation held in June 2025. The project is backed by a Queensland cycling grant supporting the design phase and a $5 million federal contribution announced on 27 February 2025, towards an estimated $12 million total cost.
A Key Link Between Two Major Bikeways
Sylvan Road is a key connection between two major off-road routes: the Bicentennial Bikeway near the river and the Western Freeway Bikeway. Council describes the project as part of local network improvements around Sylvan Road and nearby intersections, aimed at making trips smoother and safer for more people moving through Toowong.
The route has also been highlighted in cycling safety reporting, including BikeSpot material that collects and maps locations riders consider unsafe.
Strong Community Support
Council’s community engagement update reports strong support for protected infrastructure on Sylvan Road. It says 93 per cent of respondents believed a separated bikeway would have a positive or very positive effect on their travel, while 94 per cent said they would feel very safe or somewhat safe using Sylvan Road if a separated bikeway was installed.
The consultation summary also reports concerns about avoiding crashes, unsafe turning movements and limited crossing options. It notes people asked for safer crossings, slower traffic speeds, wider footpaths, better lighting and more greenery to improve comfort for everyone using the street.
Alongside separated bike lanes, Council’s update also points to work around major junctions connected to Sylvan Road, including Croydon Street, Jephson Street and Milton Road. Council says it is working toward concept designs in early 2026, with detailed design expected later in the year, and construction timing dependent on how the design develops.
Council’s “Your Say” page for the project describes Sylvan Road as a popular cycling route linking the two bikeways and says there is an opportunity to improve safety for walking, riding and scooting, including at key intersections.
A new surveillance camera has been set up at Perrin Park near Taringa after residents voiced concerns about antisocial activity and recent incidents reported in and around the area.
Park Safety Measures Introduced After Resident Feedback
Local community members raised repeated concerns about behaviour in Perrin Park, with additional incident reports also noted by police. The volume and frequency of these concerns led to a formal review of safety conditions at the park.
The park, which features a popular off-leash dog zone, is widely used by nearby residents for recreation and daily exercise. The Taringa Community Garden is also within the area.
Camera Added After Site Review
After evaluating the location, authorities approved a position for a mobile suburban safety camera. The device has now been installed and integrated into a broader CCTV system that includes roughly 3,800 cameras across the network.
Officials say the camera is intended both to discourage disruptive conduct and to assist police when monitoring activity.
Prior to the camera rollout, lighting upgrades were carried out at Perrin Park, including new illumination within the dog off-leash section. These works were described as the first stage of broader safety enhancements for the space.
Online discussion about the new camera has produced mixed reactions. Some locals welcomed the move, saying it should help improve safety and reduce unwanted behaviour. Others questioned the need for surveillance in a public park and raised privacy concerns.
Several commenters also asked what specific types of incidents prompted the decision, showing varied opinions about safety priorities in shared public areas.
The surveillance camera is now operating at Perrin Park, complementing the recently completed lighting upgrades in key sections of the grounds. Both measures were introduced in response to community reports and safety concerns.
The streets of Toowong have been transformed into an open-air gallery, with local residents painting vibrant artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the suburb. These eye-catching installations celebrate everything from local stories to community connections, turning everyday street furniture into conversation starters.
At the corner of Coronation Drive and Booth Street, artists Matisse Raphael and Aya Stronach have transformed an Energex padmount transformer into an imaginary apartment building. Painted in June 2022, the artwork features multiple window panels, each framing diverse characters who peer out or sometimes in, representing Toowong’s cosmopolitan community. A flowering jacaranda filled with local wildlife completes the scene, capturing the vibrancy of this inner-Brisbane suburb.
Created by eight-year-old Alice White in December 2018, this design at the intersection of Milton Road, Croydon Street and Morley Street takes inspiration from the nearby Cat and Fiddle shopping centre. The artwork features a possum dressed in Toowong School uniform alongside colourful Queenslander houses and a sunset characteristic of local skies. The piece earned a nomination for Best 12 and Under.
Located at the Sylvan Road pedestrian crossing near Kate Street, Maleea Holbert’s August 2025 design depicts origami cranes drifting through the sky. Positioned directly in front of Toowong State School, the artwork aims to capture children’s imagination whilst providing a calming presence for parents and passers-by. Holbert drew inspiration from memories of making paper cranes in Japanese class.
At the same Sylvan Road pedestrian crossing location (a previous artwork on this box), D.K. Perkins and Peta Thomson created this May 2021 piece asking the age-old question: is the glass half empty or half full? The design encourages viewers to look for silver linings and sparked from the family’s experiences during 2020. The artwork won Best 18 and Under in 2021.
Mira Westaway’s December 2016 artwork at the intersection of Moggill Road, Jephson Street and High Street combines her passions for ballet and fashion design with a Halloween twist. The piece earned nominations across multiple categories, including Overall Winner and both youth age groups.
Leesl Ross brings the University of Queensland to Toowong’s streets with this October 2016 depiction of the university’s iconic sandstone walkway and arcade. Located at Brisbane Street and Glen Road, the artwork earned a nomination for Overall Winner.
At Sherwood Road and Holland Street, Lisa Kelly’s April 2019 artwork promotes the message of Eating Disorders Queensland, a community-based not-for-profit organisation. The piece serves as a sister artwork to Kelly’s other box on the same street, designed to bring the community together and remind viewers that beauty comes in all forms. It received a nomination for the Energex Box Award.
Lisa Kelly’s September 2018 design at Sherwood Road and Jephson Street celebrates bodies of all shapes and sizes through depictions of various female forms throughout history. Created in recognition of Body Image and Eating Disorders Awareness Week, the artwork was produced in collaboration with The Eating Issues Centre and earned nominations for Overall Winner and Best Organisation.
Kate Halling’s January 2020 design at Benson Street and High Street explores how people make sense of their surroundings through sensory experiences. Using varying colours, shapes and forms, the artwork responds to its location and aims to provoke a positive sensory experience for viewers.
Gabrielle Cook, a disabled artist, created this July 2025 artwork at Jephson Street and Lissner Street featuring iconic Australian birds enjoying a picnic of recognisable Aussie snacks. Cook, working with collaborators Emma Blakey, Kyron Mayhew and Naomi Moore from the University of Queensland’s School of Social Sciences, designed the piece to invite playfulness and connection through accessible public art.
Sarah Sparks and Tom Hilton’s June 2025 design at 3 Valentine Street and Milton Road celebrates Brisbane from the river to the purple jacarandas and turquoise of South Bank lagoon. The artwork features six iconic bridges symbolising the merging of modern and historic Brisbane, with dashes representing walking tracks and dots representing the city’s tapestry of cultures. The title pays homage to the traditional name for Brisbane.
Emma Watt’s October 2024 artwork at the Coronation Drive pedestrian crossing and Booth Street captures jacaranda trees flowering against the heritage Regatta Hotel. The piece aims to evoke nostalgia and appreciation for Brisbane’s character, highlighting the short-lived beauty of spring before summer arrives and the intertwining of history and nature.
At Land Street and Patrick Street, Bronte McDonald’s December 2022 design draws from Ray Bradbury’s quote comparing cats to creative ideas. McDonald, working with assistants Ashleigh Barker and Bibi Bonfield, believes creating is as essential to human wellbeing as exercise and good nutrition, with CAT also serving as an acronym for Creative Art Therapy.
Santo Cavallaro’s June 2022 artwork at Land Street and Sylvan Road celebrates the special connection between nature and discovery. The design reflects on how spending time in nature can provide endless opportunities for learning, growth and peace, whether hiking through mountains or simply walking in a park.
About Artforce Brisbane
These artworks are part of Artforce Brisbane, an annual community art programme run by Brisbane City Council since 1999. The initiative invites Brisbane residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to paint original artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the city’s suburbs. More than 5,000 volunteers have painted over 1,200 boxes across Brisbane, celebrating local characters, cultures, histories and landmarks while reducing graffiti and vandalism. The programme is managed by Artfully, a Brisbane-based arts consultancy specialising in public art and placemaking. Each year, approximately 80 painting opportunities become available as the council upgrades intersections and replaces old cabinets.
Robin McIlwain has seen Toowong evolve over the last few decades, and in this column shares her astute observations as well as her memories of the area since arriving in 1977.
Working in Toowong for nearly 5 decades, Robin has seen many buildings come and go, as the area evolves into servicing the continually growing high-density population. Few people enjoy seeing local institutions and meaningful structures disappear in their own backyard, though expanding cities require this it seems.
I first worked in Toowong in 1977. I didn’t know then that it would become the suburb I’d measure time by — not in years, but in buildings replaced, streets reshaped, and habits quietly lost and re-learned.
Back then, Brisbane’s town plan encouraged smaller walk-up apartment blocks. They were often built by Italian families who lived locally, knew the streets, and worked at a human scale. Today, most new residential development is high-rise. It’s not sentimentality to say that something changed with that shift — not just the skyline, but the way decisions are made. Multi-national commercial builders replaced local ones, and with that came a different pace and pressure.
The loss of older Federation and Colonial homes has been substantial, particularly in streets like Holland Street, Kensington Terrace and Glen Road. What’s often forgotten is that many of those houses were saved — not by stopping development, but by relocating them. Council policy at the time allowed viable homes to be moved rather than demolished. Many of them went on to second lives on acreage in Brookfield and Pullenvale.
I’ve always admired builders like Tony Findlay, who restored so many of those homes and placed them back into generous grounds — long driveways, jacarandas, tennis courts. It wasn’t just preservation; it was respect.
Still, it’s hard not to feel sadness when I see heritage-listed buildings like the old Toowong Library or Patterson House on Sherwood Road falling into disrepair. Obsolescence can be quieter than demolition, but it leaves its mark all the same.
Patterson House on 89 Sherwood Rd, Toowong Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council https://heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au/heritage-places/1708 When the Toowong Library opened in April 1961, it was the largest suburban library in Brisbane. Its distinctive circular design gave the building a presence that extended beyond its function, establishing it as a valued civic landmark within the community. Photo Credit: Brisbane City Archives, BCC-15117 1960
What daily work has changed most is movement. When I was a young agent, you could usually park right outside a property. Clients could too. We left five minutes between appointments and arrived on time.
Now, we plan routes carefully. Sometimes a colleague drops us off and picks us up later. Often, we walk. Forty-five minutes between appointments is standard. Open inspections are more frequent and increasingly held out of hours — not just for convenience, but because parking itself has become a consideration in property access.
Just this morning, walking out of the post office in Ebor Lane, I noticed the vacant land beside the old Kratzman Hardware building. In the time I’ve worked here, that site has gone through two development cycles and is about to be redeveloped again. When I started in real estate, it was empty. Today, it’s empty once more. That alone tells a story about how cities evolve.
Did you know Toowong once had a bomb shelter?
Many locals remember the old blue Kratzman House at 50 High Street, where Peter Forrest ran his agency for years. Fewer people knew there was a Toowong bomb shelter in the front yard. It had been closed off, but we used it for archived files and, occasionally, curiosity got the better of us. I’ve often wondered what the developers thought when they finally uncovered it during demolition, long after most locals had forgotten it existed.
Those early years in real estate weren’t always polished or predictable. On my very first day in the industry in the 1970s, I was greeted not with a tidy office or a structured induction, but with a dead shark left on the doorstep — a moment that captured both the toughness of the era and the resilience you needed to last in it. Like many starting out then, I learned quickly, often the hard way, and those experiences stayed with me.
When my husband, Russ Cornish, opened L J Hooker Toowong in the then-new Commonwealth Bank building on Sherwood Road and Jephson Street, there were no traffic lights at that intersection. There was street parking on Jephson Street.
Did you know Ziggy once foiled a burglary?
We had an RSL hall and two service stations on the corners. Wilf Rooney ran one of them, and Ziggy — known to most locals — kept an eye on things at night.
Ziggy the bagman — a familiar sight on the street. Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons / Pony31 – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=91801036
He even foiled a burglary once. It’s hard to imagine that intersection now without lights, let alone with parking.
Trying to leave my mark
Over time, my work extended beyond day-to-day agency life. I became involved in advisory roles with government bodies and development groups, contributed to changes in training and licensing standards, and helped shape marketing approaches that were more research-led and buyer-focused. I was also fortunate to work on projects where understanding how people live informed not just how properties were sold, but how they were designed. All of that grew out of my years working in and around Toowong — the place where theory met real people and real homes.
One thing that hasn’t changed is Toowong’s cultural diversity. Being a university suburb has ensured that. The streets are still full of young people from all over the world, and that cosmopolitan energy continues to give the area its edge and its warmth.
What do I miss in Toowong?
Jim and Anne’s sandwich shop in Dr Clements Arcade. D’Angelo’s pizza and their veal scallopini. Brian Krebs Hairdresser — flamboyant, talented, and very much of his time, when big hair was everything.
This isn’t nostalgia for its own sake. It’s simply what you see when you stay long enough. Toowong keeps changing — and so do we, alongside it.
Editor’s Note: As Robin McIlwain retires from her role at Ray White Toowong, her vast local experience and range of stories need to see the light of day, and it is with that in mind that we hope to persuade Robin to write further columns for Toowong News.
The Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology has outperformed institutions across Australia to secure the top spot in nearly every major academic performance category.
The Queensland Academy for Science Mathematics and Technology (QASMT), situated in Brisbane’s inner west, achieved leading results in 2023 and 2024. The data was released by the Australian Assessment Curriculum Assessment Authority (ACARA) on the My School website, which allows families to view how schools perform based on their specific situations. QASMT has a strong history of high achievement since it began. It was established under the Queensland government’s Smart State strategy to provide challenges for high-performing students.
The school is well known for its close relationship with the University of Queensland. This partnership was created to help students move easily into university life. Students at the Toowong campus can use university libraries and facilities, and some even finish university subjects while they are still in high school. Unlike many other state schools, the academy uses the International Baccalaureate framework instead of the standard curriculum.
Changes and Growth
The academy has grown significantly in recent years. While it originally served only senior students in Years 10 to 12, it expanded in 2019 to include Year 7 students. This shift turned the facility into a full secondary school.
To support the growing number of students, which jumped from around 600 to more than 1,200, the campus received major upgrades. These included a new STEM precinct and a Northern Learning Centre designed to look and feel like university lecture spaces.
While the Toowong school celebrates its success, the wider national results paint a different picture. Recent data shows that one-third of Australian students are not meeting reasonable expectations for reading and maths. About 10 per cent of students need extra help to catch up, while another 20 per cent are still developing their skills.
Education analyst Glenn Fahey from the Centre for Independent Studies expressed deep concern about these figures. He noted that students who fall behind early often struggle to catch up by the time they finish school. He suggested that the public should demand better results from the education system because the current approach is leaving too many children behind.
ACARA chief executive Stephen Gniel explained that the data on the My School website helps the community understand the value of each school. He pointed out that while there were small improvements in numeracy for students in Years 5, 7, and 9, there is still a gap for students in regional and remote areas. He emphasised the need for a collective effort to support disadvantaged students.
Teachers Professional Association Queensland president Scott Stanford described the results as a job well done for high-performing schools. He viewed the test as a snapshot in time that indicates whether getting back to basics in teaching is working. He added that if teachers are instructing correctly, the benefits should show in these assessments.
A safety campaign has been rolled out ahead of Christmas to encourage safer use of e-scooters and e-bikes in Toowong and across Queensland. The initiative follows concerns about fatalities, serious injuries and the use of illegal devices, particularly involving young riders. The Bicentennial Bikeway, a popular commuter route along the river from Toowong to the CBD, is one of the key locations where the safety messages apply.
Photo Credit: Supplied
Recent Safety Concerns
In the past three years, Queensland has recorded 18 e-scooter deaths and several e-bike-related fatalities. Authorities have also raised concerns about young people riding illegal e-motorbikes on public streets and roads, especially in South East Queensland.
Between 1 January and 31 December 2024, Queensland recorded 302 road fatalities, which was 28 more than the previous year and 34 above the five-year average. Over the same period, there were 8,573 hospitalised casualties from road crashes, 331 more than the previous year and 1,002 above the five-year average.
These figures sit behind the decision to reinforce road safety messages across all transport modes, including e-scooters, e-bikes and e-motorbikes.
Campaign Details in Queensland
The Know Your eRules campaign is being led by the Department of Transport and Main Roads. Advertising is running on Spotify, social media and bus shelters through the Christmas period to remind riders that e-mobility devices can be deadly when used illegally or incorrectly.
Queensland Police will issue penalties and fines to people who break the rules, including parents who allow children to ride illegal devices. The campaign encourages adults, particularly parents, to check the official guidance and ensure any device they buy for Christmas is legal and used safely.
Photo Credit: Supplied
E-Scooter Rules for Toowong Riders
For e-scooters and other personal mobility devices, riders must be at least 16 years old. Children aged 12 to 15 may ride only under adult supervision, while children under 12 are not allowed to ride these devices.
Only one person can ride an e-scooter at a time, and a properly fastened helmet is compulsory. E-scooters can travel at a maximum of 25 km/h, with a limit of 12 km/h on footpaths and shared paths unless signs say otherwise. Fines of more than $660 can apply for speeding.
E-scooters may be used on footpaths, shared paths, separated bike paths, on-road bike lanes with speed limits of 50 km/h or less, and local streets with speed limits of 50 km/h or less where there is no dividing line. Riders must leave their phone alone, not drink and ride, obey give way and stop signs, and give way to pedestrians.
E-Bike Requirements and Illegal Devices
E-bikes must rely mainly on pedal power and have a motor with a maximum continuous output of 250 watts, providing assistance only up to 25 km/h. Throttle power is permitted up to 6 km/h to help the rider start moving, but above that speed pedalling must activate the motor.
These devices may be ridden wherever bicycles are allowed, but not on motorways or in areas marked with “no bicycles” signs. Riders must follow signed speed limits and general road rules. High-powered devices that exceed 250 watts, rely on throttle power alone above 6 km/h, or use internal combustion engines are considered non-compliant. Total fines can be more than $1,640, and police may impound or confiscate illegal devices.
E-motorbikes are high-speed electric 2- and 3-wheelers that are separate from low-speed, pedal-assisted e-bikes. Road-legal e-motorbikes must comply with Australian Design Rules, be registered, carry compulsory third party insurance and have features such as headlights, brake lights, indicators, mirrors and a vehicle identification number. Riders need the correct motorbike licence class, and penalties apply for using unregistered, uninsured or unlicensed vehicles.
Some e-motorbikes are sold for off-road use only and cannot be used on roads or public paths in Queensland unless conditionally registered for very limited access to off-road tracks. The fact sheets note that children have been killed riding non-compliant e-motorbikes, and parents can be fined if they allow a child to ride such devices in public.
Local Routes in Toowong
The Bicentennial Bikeway is a popular commuter route that runs along the river between Toowong and the Brisbane CBD. This shared path is widely used by cyclists, e-bike riders and e-scooter users travelling between the western suburbs and the inner city. Parts of the Brisbane River Loop also make use of the same riverside corridor used by riders from Toowong.
The campaign encourages riders and parents in Toowong and across Queensland to check the StreetSmarts website for detailed information on legal devices and riding rules. The message is clear: choose legal devices, understand the rules and follow them, particularly during the Christmas period when many e-scooters, e-bikes and e-motorbikes are bought as gifts.
Olympic FC and Brisbane Boys’ College in Toowong have launched a strategic partnership to enhance football and educational development, offering players and coaches new opportunities to access elite training programs and facilities across Brisbane.
The partnership between Olympic FC and Brisbane Boys’ College establishes a collaborative platform for youth and coaching development. The agreement provides BBC students and staff with access to Olympic’s elite facilities at Goodwin Park while expanding the club’s schools program.
This initiative aligns with Olympic FC’s focus on strengthening its ties with educational institutions to promote football participation and learning opportunities across Brisbane.
Photo Credit: Olympic FC/Facebook
Development Pathways and Coaching Support
Through the collaboration, BBC players will have the chance to trial and train with Olympic’s academy and development squads. Olympic coaches will work closely with BBC staff during training sessions and matchdays, ensuring a consistent approach to technical and tactical growth.
BBC coaches will also attend workshops led by Olympic’s UEFA Pro Licence Technical Director, Scott Guyett, further enhancing their professional development.
Photo Credit: Olympic FC/Facebook
Building Community and Collaboration
Both organisations share a commitment to fostering football at all levels and supporting the next generation of players. Leaders from both sides have highlighted the benefits of shared training, community initiatives, and mutual learning for students and coaches alike.
The partnership also aims to create long-term pathways from school programs into professional and community football environments, reinforcing Toowong’s growing contribution to Brisbane’s football network.
The alliance between Olympic FC and Brisbane Boys’ College represents a joint effort to elevate player and coach development, encourage collaboration, and build stronger links between education and sport in Toowong and across Brisbane.
Businesses in Toowong received a caffeine boost this November as Australia Post’s Peak-Me-Up coffee van stopped by to serve free St Ali coffee and T2 tea during the busy retail season.
Australia Post’s travelling Peak-Me-Up coffee and tea van made its way to the Toowong Business Centre at 24 Ebor Street as part of a Queensland-wide initiative aimed at supporting businesses through peak trading periods. The stop formed part of the organisation’s national Peak Performance campaign, which celebrates the effort of business owners and workers handling the year-end surge in orders and deliveries.
The Toowong visit took place on Thursday, 20 November, from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., offering complimentary St Ali coffee and T2 tea. The initiative gave business owners, eCommerce operators, and retail teams a brief opportunity to pause and recharge before returning to the demands of the season.
Peak season represents the most intense period for online and retail trade, coinciding with major events such as Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Christmas. During this time, Australia Post’s logistics network operates at full capacity to ensure timely parcel deliveries nationwide.
The Peak-Me-Up van’s Queensland route included stops at the Archerfield Business Centre on 19 November and the Gold Coast Business Centre on 24 November. Across these visits, expert baristas served the exclusive St Ali Peak-Me-Up blend alongside a selection of T2 teas, providing a small moment of appreciation for those working to meet seasonal demand.
Photo Credit: Australia Post/Instagram
A National Effort to Connect and Recharge
The Peak-Me-Up coffee van travelled across Victoria, South Australia, New South Wales, and Queensland throughout October and November. Beyond delivering caffeine, it offered a chance for businesses to take a moment of connection and refocus amid the busiest time of year.
Australia Post stated the initiative serves as a gesture of gratitude to the thousands of Australian businesses that help sustain the economy and eCommerce sector during the holiday period.
Following its Queensland visits, the Peak-Me-Up campaign continues across business hubs in other states, bringing with it a reminder that short breaks can help maintain performance through the peak season rush. Businesses in Toowong and surrounding areas are encouraged to stay informed about future visits and initiatives supporting local operations.
