The 5 Reasons Everyone Is Moving To Bulimba Right Now
Riverside charm
By Victoria Lewis | 30th October 2025Long has the northside been given the reputation of being Brisbane’s address for luxury living, but southside staple Bulimba is giving the Ascots, New Farms and Hamiltons of the world a run for their money, climbing the ladder of cultural relevance and emerging as a budding Brisbane hotspot.
With exciting architectural developments, the whispers of future luxe precincts, and effortless waterfront living, we can’t help but wonder, should we all be moving to Bulimba? Discover why this suburban hub is the talk of the town right now.
1. The lifestyle
Nestled in a quiet, waterfront corner of Brisbane’s inner city, the Bulimba way of life flows parallel to the Brisbane River, at your own pace. Equal parts leisure and energy, Bulimba has your 6AM to 6PM covered. Supercharge your morning with a riverside run, hop on the ferry for work in the city, before coming home to a quintessential Queensland sunset reflecting on still waters. Poised, still, and calm.
2. The design
A suburb defined by architecture with quiet confidence, Bulimba is set to welcome a new set of luxury apartments to complete its Apollo Road and Byron Street corner plot. Watts & Wright is bringing fresh perspectives and elevated living to the north-eastern waterfront. Imagined by the Spyre Group, the development promises to be an inner-city escape where every space flows seamlessly alongside the Bulimba lifestyle. It’s riverside living, reimagined.
Designed by renowned architect and director of Cavill Architects, Sandy Cavill, the development embraces the art of restraint, flawlessly balancing Bulimba’s buzz with its bliss. Having played a hand in designing some of the James St precinct, Cavill brings the same design pillars to Bulimba that have been pivotal in shaping Brisbane’s design identity.
Rooted in nature but designed for the modern muse, breezeblocks and greenery breathe life into angular canopies and terracotta hues. Watts & Wright is modern luxury shaped by the landscape, inspired by Bulimba’s industrial heritage but expressed with refined, effortless flair. A short walk from the Apollo Road ferry stop and neighbouring a future lifestyle precinct, Watts & Wright will be home to just 15 unique residences, your opportunity to be part of Brisbane’s new wave of luxury living.
3. The food
A morning walk pitstop fuelled by flaky pastry and fresh espresso, immersed in the energetic hum of a crowded Darvella Patisserie. A breezy alfresco Italian lunch at Il Molo, complemented by a glass of sparkling to mirror the water’s edge. An elegant yet relaxed sunset dinner at Melrose Restaurant and rooftop bar, overlooking a distant city skyline.
Bulimba is serving up refined eats for every occasion, where the dining is elegant, the energy relaxed, and home is just down the road, an effortless extension of the natural environment.
4. The energy
An elevated suburb with a wholesome community feel, wander down Oxford Street for a leisurely stroll while window shopping artisanal homewares and local fashion boutiques. The already-iconic precinct is soon to be joined by a new riverside retail destination, The Barracks, further cementing Bulimba as a suburb to watch.
With leafy streets that encourage you to slow down, take a seat, and stay a while, you’ll find yourself surrounded by parks on every corner, embraced by nature. Soak up the summer sunshine by day or restore by candlelight with an evening spent at Inna Bliss Yoga. There’s something for everyone in the humble yet elevated Bulimba.
5. The future
With the arrival of visionary developments like Watts & Wright and the promise of more design-led projects to come, Bulimba’s trajectory is only upward. The suburb’s evolution is redefining Brisbane’s luxury landscape, blending architectural excellence with community warmth and a sense of place. As the city expands, Bulimba remains quietly confident, leading a new generation of riverside living where design, culture, and calm coexist.
Elevated, relaxed, and refined, Bulimba is putting Brisbane’s southside firmly on the map. Watch this space.
Imagery: @ilmolobulimba / @courtneycaufield_
