Brisbane has beaten every other Australian capital city to be crowned one of the “The World’s Greatest Places of 2023”.
The Queensland capital was named in TIME Magazine’s list of top 50 places across the globe, which was unveiled by the publication on Thursday.
In order to compile the list, TIME said it solicited nominations of places from its “international network of correspondents and contributors, with an eye toward those offering new and exciting experiences”.
Popular tourist destination Kangaroo Island in South Australia also featured on the list.
Other top locations included Barcelona in Spain, Kyoto in Japan, Budapest in Hungary, Dijon in France and Mexico City in Mexico.
The Willamette Valley in Oregon, US, Giza and Saqqara in Egypt, The Red Sea in Saudi Arabia and Chyulu Hills in Kenya also made the list.
“Late last year, United Airlines debuted direct service between San Francisco and Brisbane—the first route of its kind for an American carrier.
“And this year, it cuts the ribbon on Queen’s Wharf, a $2.6 billion project that repositions the riverfront as the central commercial corridor of the region.
“The integrated resort cityscape will be home to four luxury hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton and the Rosewood, 50 bars and restaurants, and 2,000 new residential apartments.”
Parts of the multibillion-dollar Queen’s Wharf development, which will feature a 360-degree Sky Deck, will open to the public in the second half of this year.
TIME highlighted Brisbane will also be one of the nine host cities across Australia and New Zealand for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Beyond the central business district, the James Street Precinct is a welcome testament to how urban development can champion local businesses and artisans rather than supplanting them,” the publication continued.
“The semi-industrial area leverages Brisbane’s perennial sunshine to showcase an outdoor promenade anchored by artsy boutiques and cafés, all under the canopy of Moreton Bay fig trees.”
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Brisbane’s Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner both acknowledged the news on social media.
“It’s true. I’ve said for a long time that Queensland is the place to be, and now the world knows too,” Ms Palaszczuk wrote on Twitter.
“I agree with Adrian Schrinner, we are so lucky to live in such a beautiful state.”
Brisbane’s triumph comes two days after Melbourne was named “Best Airport in Australia and Pacific”.
On Wednesday, Skytrax announced the winners of its world airport awards with Singapore Changi Airport landing the top spot, followed by Doha’s Hamad International Airport.
Melbourne Airport was the only airport in the country and across the Pacific to make it into the top 20.
Originally published in Sky News. View article HERE.