Surprising Aussie suburb named among the ‘coolest’ in the world
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Three Aussie suburbs have made the list of the ‘coolest’ in the world. It is no surprise a spot in Melbourne, which is often named as the nation’s hippest city, made the list.
But a part of Brisbane in Queensland and an area of Hobart in Tasmania also made the illustrious rankings, alongside some of the world’s trendiest cities.
A suburb of Brisbane has been named one of the coolest in the world. istock
The 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world in 2026, announced by Time Out, aims to celebrate the “coolest pockets of the world’s best cities”.
They’re chosen by the publication’s travel experts.
They ranked them for food and drink, nightlife, unique local businesses, liveability and community.
This year, in what may come as a surprise, the highest-ranking Aussie spot was in the Queensland city of Brisbane.
New Farm, close to the CBD, landed on the list, in the city which will host the 2032 Olympics.
“Perched right on the Brisbane River, and seamlessly linked to the city by walking and cycling paths, New Farm has it all,” Time Out said.
Former power station tuned contemporary arts centre Brisbane Powerhouse is also at the centre of the community.
Brisbane Powerhouse in New Farm, a former power station that now serves as an arts venue. istock
But the publication notes there’s plenty more indie galleries and boutiques to visit too. Cocktail bars and cafés are also on hand in the area, which came in at number 29 on the top 40.
It highlights 24/7-café Death Before Decaf and bar Ruma Rooftop.
Boutique hotels like Miss Midgley’s are also hip places to stay, the experts point out.
Tasmanian capital Hobart has always been an underground hipster spot iStock
Meanwhile, Tasmanian capital Hobart has always been an underground hipster spot thanks to MONA and Dark Mofo, but a new suburb has made the chart.
At number 32 on the list was North Hobart.
“Just a ten-minute walk from the CBD, it strikes the perfect balance between a charming Tasmanian village and a bustling inner-city hub,” Time Out said.
It flags the Elizabeth Street strip as the place to be. It has the State Cinema, pub The Winston and award-winning bar Bar Wa Izakaya.
“Add in a contemporary art gallery, dog-friendly parks and boutique stays like Collected/Places, and you’ve got Hobart’s hippest ’hood,” experts said.
Ever-hip Melbourne’s most fashionable place for the year is South Melbourne.
South Melbourne Market has 150 traders to visit. iStock
“It may be one of the city’s oldest suburbs, but South Melbourne’s cool cred stands the test of time,” Time Out said.
It flagged “gastronomic delight” South Melbourne Market with 150 traders worth a visit.
It also says there are plenty of cafés and restaurants worth dining at.
The suburb, at number 39 on the list, is also becoming a wellness hub with various bathhouses opening in the area.
“But for the truest sense of South Melbourne’s spirit, a wander along the main thoroughfares of Clarendon, Coventry and Cecil Streets – each lined with leafy trees, boutique shops and buzzy hospo venues – should do the trick,” Time Out said.
The title of the coolest place in the world for 2026 was given to Seoul’s Jongno 3-ga, known for street-food-packed alleys, bars and craft workshops topped on the list.
Decidedly uncool Sydney missed out completely, despite last year having Burwood in the inner west, ranked on the list.
The 40 coolest neighbourhoods in the world for 2026:
- Jongno 3-ga, Seoul
- L’Ocean District, Rabat
- Neos Kosmos, Athens
- Chinatown, Los Angeles
- Govanhill, Glasgow
- Kitakagaya, Osaka
- Chapinero Alto, Bogotá
- Koenji, Tokyo
- Downtown, St Catharines
- Esquilino, Rome
- Russafa, Valencia
- Tân Định, Ho Chi Minh
- São Bento, Lisbon
- Talat Noi, Bangkok
- Slakthusområdet, Stockholm
- Humayunpur, Delhi
- Laranjeiras, Rio de Janeiro
- West Town, Chicago
- Rákóczi tér, Budapest
- Jalan Besar, Singapore
- Crooswijk, Rotterdam
- Chacagiales, Buenos Aires
- Bandra West, Mumbai
- Cathedral Quarter, Belfast
- República, São Paulo
- Changning, Shanghai
- Oost, Amsterdam
- Financial District, New York
- New Farm, Brisbane
- Quartier d’Aligre, Paris
- Kalk Bay, Cape Town
- North Hobart, Hobart
- Newington Green, London
- Yulin, Chengdu
- Mount Pleasant, Vancouver
- Centro Histórico, Lima
- Boavista, Porto
- Starstreet Precinct, Hong Kong
- South Melbourne, Melbourne
- Distillery District, Lexington
