Hawthorne: The Brisbane suburb offering an urban village lifestyle in the city

Paul Edmondson and his wife Karen were delighted when a long-held dream to live in Hawthorne came to fruition in 2019.

“We’ve been wanting to be in this pocket since 2005,” says Edmondson, a father to three teenagers.

“We’ve been here two years now and we’re very happy we made the move.”

Edmondson was looking to replicate the “village vibe” he loved from growing up in the Sydney suburbs of Paddington, Balmain and Leichhardt.

“It’s that proximity to the city, to culture and to water – all those things that are really important from a way of life perspective,” he says.

“The kids love it here … it’s got energy in spades.”

Urban amenity

Set on the south side of the Brisbane River and sharing a postcode with Bulimba, Hawthorne is home to its own small collection of cafes and shops next to the green expanse of Hawthorne Park and is just a stone’s throw from Bulimba’s bustling Oxford Street.

The Edmondsons are regulars at the Deluxe Cinemas and at Hawthorne Garage, a high-end deli offering great coffee and fresh food.

Belle Property Bulimba agent Tony O’Doherty says locals from postcode 4171 can count on a friendly face at the Oxford Taphouse, which claims “old-school” charm while laying on great food and drinks.

“There are coffee shops and restaurants and bakeries, it’s just really cool, urban living,” he says.

“And it’s a really tight-knit community. We get people who are upsizing or downsizing or relocating and they really don’t want to leave their neighbours and friends.”

Edmondson describes Hawthorne as “one of those places where you can feel at home.”

“I actually love the fact that I don’t have to leave this pocket,” he says.

“Everything you need is here, and if you do want to leave, you can jump on a ferry to go to South Bank, or take an Uber to The Gabba.”

A ferry to the city from the terminal at Hardcastle Park takes just 15 minutes and Morningside Station in neighbouring Balmoral is within walking distance.

Riverside lifestyle

O’Doherty says Hawthorne is a magnet for families with an array of good schools close by, including Lourdes Hill College, which claims a prime riverfront site.

Buyers can choose from classic Queenslanders, Federation homes and contemporary new builds.

O’Doherty says buyers can’t go too far wrong following the lead of Australia’s richest person, Gina Rinehart.

The mining mogul owns two adjoining riverfront properties in Aaron Avenue.

“Some of the most successful people in Queensland call Hawthorne home and that stretch of river along Aaron Avenue is home to many billionaires,” he says.

One to watch

Beautifully restored and extended to showcase a host of character features, Kerrisdale is a 1930s Queenslander featuring high ceilings, timber floors and a wraparound verandah.

Set on a 931-square-metre block close to the village centre, the home has a pool and established gardens.

Belle Property Bulimba’s Tony O’Doherty takes the home to auction on October 21.

SOLD - $3,250,000

11 Amy Street, Hawthorne QLD 4171

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