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Here’s why Stafford is Brisbane’s hottest locale

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
Brisbane’s dairy cows and tanneries of yesteryear have made way for seriously creative brains in Stafford.

Fusing the past with the present just eight kilometres north of Brisbane, sleepy Stafford has changed a lot since I was a kid. Artisanal crafts, brewhouses and international cuisine have all migrated to Happy Valley (how it’s known locally, nodding to Stafford’s historic roots), resulting in an energised space that pleasantly surprised me. Retaining its pretty rural surroundings while nurturing culinary and artisanal imagination, Stafford is flourishing and fabulous. Let me shine a light on the best bits.

In short

If you only do one thing in Stafford, make it a visit to Happy Valley Brewing Company. It’s one of the best spots in the city for a schooner of craft brew and the vibe is always dialled up.

Treat your taste buds at Oh Boy, Bok Choy!

south-east Asian classics at Oh Boy, Bok Choy!
Tuck into finessed south-east Asian classics. (Image: Oh Boy, Bok Choy!)

Friends told me to secure my spot early at Oh Boy, Bok Choy!  and I’m glad I did because the place is pumping when I arrive. Loved by locals and Brisbane foodies from all over, the Stafford restaurant fuses Vietnamese, Chinese, Malaysian and Thai food for a smashing taste sensation. Casual and loud, the vibe is infectious as laser-focused passion pours into everything coming out of the kitchen. Choose from finessed south-east Asian classics like crispy prawn toast and bao buns done three ways, but save room for the headline acts: curries, noodles and deliciously sizzled and dressed meats make their mark.

Address: 264 Stafford Rd, Stafford

Sample stellar brews at Happy Valley Brewing Company

a glass of beer with food at Happy Valley Brewing Company, Stafford
Hop over to Happy Valley Brewing Company for fantastic fare that will give you a guaranteed good time.

Brisbane’s love affair with home brew knows no bounds, extending its exceptional operations to Stafford. Happy Valley Brewing Company is a top spot to sink a pint and line the tummy in style, a fact I only discover one afternoon in mid-2025 despite this hot spot drawing crowds since 2020. Don’t miss the team’s core range, perhaps with a few share plates spanning crumbed mac n cheese bars (exactly what they sound like), loaded fries with whiskey beef brisket, and a collection of tacos. There are also melt-in-your-mouth burgers and a dedicated kids’ menu that throws in colouring-in packs. A guaranteed good time for the entire clan.

Address: 34 Wolverhampton St, Stafford

Soak up community spirit at the Happy Lane Market

a look inside Happy Jane Cafe, Stafford
Find joy in every cup at Happy Jane Cafe.

A space once occupied by the Love Me Again Markets is now home to the Happy Lane Markets , found inside the charming Stafford cafe, Happy Jane Cafe . Staged on the second Sunday of each month, the Brisbane market only launched in September 2025 so you can expect large crowds sussing out the newish retail fix. Entry is free and you’ll always find vintage collectables and fashion, chic homewares, live music and entertainment, on-site parking and, of course, treats from the cafe for everything your morning out in Stafford needs.

Address: 31 Wolverhampton St, Stafford

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Take a scenic route along the Kedron Book Bikeway

the scenic Shaw Park Loop along the Kedron Book Bikeway, Stafford QLD
Tackle the scenic Shaw Park Loop along the Kedron Book Bikeway. (Image: Beatrice Woodcock)

Jumping on two wheels gave me a solid stickybeak through Stafford as I hit a portion of the 20-kilometre Kedron Book Bikeway. It runs all the way from Mitchelton to Toombul, through Stafford and Stafford Heights, and the path is made up of both clearly marked street bike lanes and shared paths. I went from Kedron Brook bus station to Stafford City shopping centre, but the entire stretch is dotted with picnic areas, parks and even barbecues if you plan on making a day of it. Here’s a map to help you plan a journey.

Address: Access it from the Brookside Shopping Centre in Mitchelton, or Toombul train station to ride the entire length.

Uncover true coffee artistry at Q Roasters

Q Roasters, Stafford QLD
Q Roasters has a strong emphasis on sustainability.

Caffeine is no joke to these guys. Q Roasters , a roaster, wholesaler and cafe, is the brainchild of Lee Mary and Lachlan Hosking, with Lachlan serving as a registered Australian Q Grader (Q as in quality) and international coffee judge. The team know their stuff (Lee was born in a coffee-growing region in the Papua New Guinean Highlands) and bring their knowledge to each unique blend. Part of the Stafford landscape since 2014, Q Roasters values sustainability, sourcing every bean from producers who care for the land and people who work on it. Additionally, the retail section sells baked goods, which is just as strong a pull in my book.

Address: 44 Wolverhampton St, Stafford

Lean into more of Stafford’s exceptional cafe culture

alfresco dining at The Colour Nine, Stafford QLD
Dine al fresco at The Colour Nine in Stafford Heights.

While Q Roasters remain laser-focused on roasting perfection, I also love Stafford for the many awesome proximity cafes to choose from. Elixir HQ Cafe also roasts its own award-winning blend, but I like dropping in for its food menu and chilled vibes, too. The dishes invite serious indulgence – think tiramisu waffles, truffle mushrooms and an apple crumble porridge. There’s also bustling The Colour Nine in Stafford Heights, which is pet-friendly and nails breakfast classics with a Thai twist.

Address: Elixir HQ Cafe, 12 Hayward Street, Stafford; and The Colour Nine, Shop 2, 85 Mawson St, Stafford Heights

Mingle with thirsty locals at Flat Lizard Brewing

a hand holding a glass of Flat Lizard beer in front of Yebisu Catering food truck
Pair your Flat Lizard beer with chicken karaage from Yebisu Catering.

Live music, a revolving door of food trucks and masterfully crafted, independently produced brews – Flat Lizard Brewing in Stafford is another one of my favourite Brisbane breweries. Located in the suburb’s trendy industrial zone, the brewery nails its core range of lagers, ales and stouts while offering hearty feeds and, if the game’s on, live streaming of your favourite sports. It’s relaxed, pet-friendly and full of locals, with dishes like woodfired pizza and internationally inspired street food providing the ultimate accompaniments to some of the region’s finest beer.

Address: 18 Harvton St, Stafford

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Stuff yourself senseless at King of the Wings

buffalo wings at King of the Wings, Stafford
Ignite your tastebuds with sensational buffalo wings. (Image: King of the Wings)

Look, it’s not ultra-refined dining but when you’re craving comfort food done to perfection, King of the Wings  is a local foodie stalwart that always hits the spot. Doesn’t the name say it all? What started as a beloved Brisbane food truck finally set up its own permanent digs right here in Stafford, gifting locals with sensational Buffalo wings, slow cooked ribs, burgers, fries and even a range of desserts. While the truck still travels throughout the state, this brick-and-mortar eatery is always worth the hike given the on-site bar that’s pouring up cocktails, wine and beer, daily.

Address: 1/240 Stafford Rd, Stafford

Find buttery, flaky perfection at Bella & Tortie

a stuffed pie at Bella & Tortie, Stafford
Indulge in an array of next-level sweets at Bella & Tortie.

Can’t resist a baked good on tour? Same. Bella & Tortie  is Stafford’s hottest ticket, cooking up next-level sweets with extreme flair. It underwent a brief renovation in October 2025 and won’t reopen its doors until November, but when they’re back, make a beeline to find traditional European cakes (like their cult favourite canales) and clever contemporary creations jazzed with seasonal fruits and ingredients. Past winners included their Banoffee Cruller, Stout and Ginger Cake and macadamia, coconut and mango trifle, plus the savoury menu is crafted with equal measures of out-of-the-box genius.

Address: 12/240 Stafford Rd, Stafford Central, Stafford

Catch a game of AFLW at Hickey Park

A beautiful Aussie Rules football stadium in Stafford, Hickey Park plays host to many AFLW games each season as the Brisbane Lions draw big crowds. It holds about 4,000 guests in total and the vibe is high-energy when it needs to be, but relaxed before and after the whistle’s blown. A bar and grandstand bring game-day atmosphere, and when it’s not footy season, you’ll find locals jogging laps around the oval plus kids rolling down the grassy hills.

Discover the best things to do in Brisbane

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Exploding supernovas & gold fever: discover the past at this outback Qld town

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

    While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

    Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

    Getting there

    car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland
    Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

    You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

    Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

    Best accommodation in Clermont

    Theresa CreekDam in clermont
    Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

    All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

    Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

    To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

    Things to do in Clermont

    three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting
    Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

    One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

    Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

    The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

    Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland
    See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

    For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

    Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

    Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

    Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

    meal at Commercial Hotel
    Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

    Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

    Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

    For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

    Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

    Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.