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KangaCat Brings Olympic Spirit to Northshore Hamilton Ahead of Brisbane 2032

Brisbane has launched its first-ever Olympic-inspired CityCat, with the KangaCat officially joining the city’s ferry fleet ahead of the six-year countdown to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Read: From CityCats to CityDogs: Bluey Takes Over Northshore Hamilton

The KangaCat is a special vessel operating on Brisbane’s standard CityCat ferry route, which travels along the Brisbane River between the University of Queensland (UQ) at St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton.

Inspired by the Australian Olympic Team’s iconic Boxing Kangaroo mascot, known as BK, the KangaCat has officially joined Brisbane’s CityCat fleet. As it travels along the river, the ferry celebrates Australia’s Olympic heroes while inspiring young Australians dreaming of representing the country at the 2032 Games.

The Australian Olympic Committee summed up that ambition with a simple message: “We hope every kid who sees the KangaCat dreams of one day representing the green and gold.”

Olympic Spirit Takes to the River

Photo credit: LinkedIn/Australian Olympic Committee

Australian Olympic Team Chef de Mission Anna Meares said it was exciting to see one of Australian sport’s most recognisable symbols travelling along the Brisbane River. She said the Boxing Kangaroo is recognised around the world and that its presence on the river would remind athletes, residents and visitors alike of the excitement ahead as preparations continue for Brisbane 2032.

Australian Olympic Committee Chief Executive Officer Mark Arbib said the KangaCat reflects Brisbane’s growing identity as Australia’s next Olympic host. He noted that once the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games conclude, international attention will increasingly turn towards Brisbane, making initiatives such as the KangaCat an important way to build community enthusiasm for the Games and support for the Australian Olympic Team.

Mr Arbib also said the Boxing Kangaroo represents the resilience and determination shown by Australian Olympians, adding that the partnership behind the KangaCat would help support Brisbane’s Olympic legacy initiatives in the years ahead.

Northshore Hamilton on the Route

For Hamilton residents and visitors, Northshore is among the major stops where passengers can experience the KangaCat as part of Brisbane’s regular ferry network.

Already a growing waterfront precinct, Northshore now becomes one of the locations where passengers can experience the Olympic-themed ferry while travelling on the Brisbane River. Whether commuting into the city or exploring Hamilton’s riverside attractions, passengers may encounter the KangaCat on regular CityCat services.

The themed CityCat also joins other distinctive Brisbane ferries, including the Bluey and Bingo CityDogs. Those hoping to ride the vessel can track it through the AnyTrip app under its vessel name, “Mahreel”.

More Than a Ferry Ride

The KangaCat also forms part of wider efforts to build public engagement ahead of Brisbane 2032. Local officials say it reflects a broader vision for the city’s Olympic legacy that extends beyond the sporting competition itself.

Brisbane’s ferry network continues to be one of the city’s most popular transport options, recording a record 6.8 million passenger trips during the last financial year. Combined with Brisbane’s 50 cent public transport fares, the KangaCat provides another way for residents and visitors to experience the city ahead of Brisbane 2032.

Cr Adrian Schrinner said the themed ferry brings the Olympic spirit to the Brisbane River ahead of the official six-year countdown. He said Brisbane is preparing to welcome the world in 2032 while investing in improved transport, stronger communities and opportunities that will leave a lasting legacy beyond the Games.

Read: CityCat Services Arrive at Howard Smith Wharves Ferry Terminal

For Hamilton, where Northshore is one of the KangaCat’s major stops, the themed ferry is one of the first visible signs of Brisbane embracing its role as host of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Published 21-July-2026

Brisbane Airport Opens Fellowship Place, Giving Plane Spotters a Front Row View

Brisbane Airport’s iconic new plane spotting location, Fellowship Place, has officially opened, offering aviation enthusiasts, families and photographers a purpose-built space to watch aircraft arrive and depart while celebrating the airport’s 100-year history.

Read: Meet the Robot Mowers Working Around the Clock at Brisbane Airport

The new public viewing area, located at the end of Acacia Street within the Brisbane Airport precinct, welcomed its first visitors on Sunday, 19 July. Created as a centenary gift to Brisbane, Fellowship Place offers closer, less obstructed views of aircraft while featuring the tail of a retired Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft that celebrates Queensland’s aviation history.

A New Home for Plane Spotters

Plane spotting has long been part of Brisbane Airport’s culture, and Fellowship Place provides a purpose-built setting with accessible features for the aviation community and the wider public.

The precinct features an elevated viewing platform that provides closer, less obstructed views of aircraft operations. Shaded seating and an accessible pathway make the space welcoming for photographers, aviation enthusiasts and families alike.

Brisbane Airport Chief Executive Officer Gert-Jan de Graaff said the project was created as a gift to the city to mark the airport’s centenary. He said Fellowship Place was designed to bring people closer to aviation while providing a place where enthusiasts could share their passion and inspire future generations of pilots, engineers and aviation professionals.

The project also involved changing the site’s land classification. The land was reclassified from restricted airfield space into an area the public can access, giving visitors a front row view of aircraft movements within the airport precinct.

A Landmark with Aviation History

Standing at the heart of Fellowship Place is the tail of a retired Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft, creating what Brisbane Airport says is Australia’s first plane spotting area to incorporate a historic jet tail as a permanent feature.

The aircraft component was donated by Aviation Australia, where it had previously helped train more than 3,000 aircraft engineers.

Moving and installing the 50-year-old Dutch-built aircraft tail presented its own engineering challenge. Mr de Graaff said there were no handbooks explaining how best to crane and fix the ageing aircraft structure into position.

Construction of the precinct also involved placing more than 900 cubic metres of fill to create the elevated viewing platform.

Celebrating Brisbane’s Aviation Legacy

Among those welcoming Fellowship Place was long-time Brisbane plane spotter Lloyd Fox, who has spent more than 60 years documenting aircraft movements at the airport.

Mr Fox said the opening was something he never expected to see after more than six decades of plane spotting. He also said the new location brings visitors closer to the action than ever before while creating a place where families, photographers and aviation enthusiasts can enjoy the experience together.

Visitors to Fellowship Place can also explore another piece of aviation history nearby. Adjacent to the International Terminal stands the Sir Kingsford Smith Memorial, home to the historic Southern Cross aircraft. In 2028, the aircraft will mark 100 years since completing the first trans-Pacific flight linking the United States and Australia.

Read: Epic 7,000-Square-Metre Play Centre Landing at Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport said the project celebrates its history while aiming to inspire the next generation of aviation professionals. Today, the airport precinct supports around 25,000 jobs, with employment expected to double over the next two decades.

Published 20-July-2026

The Mechanical Horse: Why Fans Are Packing Albion Park for the Legend ‘Leap to Fame’

In a feat of endurance that has captivated the state, seven-year-old pacer Leap to Fame is currently pushing for a historic third Inter Dominion title at the Albion track.

The heat trials for the 2026 Ladbrokes Inter Dominion Championship are unfolding throughout July, with the grand finale scheduled for 18 July 2026.

A Local Force of Nature

Leap to Fame — *Photo Credit:* *Racenet*

Could there be a more intimidating sight in sport than this seven-year-old pacer, known affectionately as Larry, pinning his ears back and surging through the home stretch? Under the steady hands of trainer and driver Grant Dixon, the gelding has transformed from a mere competitor into an industrial-grade winning machine.

He doesn’t just win; he demoralises his rivals by thriving in the most punishing positions on the track, often grinding out victories while parked wide. It is a rare brand of brilliance that turns a routine night at the stables into a masterclass of pure, unadulterated grit.

Chasing the Pantheon

Winning two Inter Dominion crowns was an achievement in itself, but the quest for a third title elevates the stakes to legendary proportions. A successful campaign at The Creek would place him in the company of immortals like Our Sir Vancelot and Im Themightyquinn, edging him ever closer to the record four held by the legendary Blacks A Fake.

The air around the grandstand vibrates with a different frequency these days, as every race feels like a chapter in a biography that fans feel privileged to read in real-time.

The Long Game

Why rush a masterpiece? Owner Kevin Seymour has resisted the industry trend of early retirement, choosing instead to showcase this rare talent to the public for as long as possible. This decision has sparked immense gratitude among the faithful who pack the fences, all while the team keeps one eye on the future. Once the dust settles at Albion, the focus shifts to the final hurdle in his illustrious career: the elusive New Zealand Cup. It remains the only major mountain left for this Queensland hero to climb.

Published Date 10-July-2026

Third Festival, Three Beneficiaries: Hamilton Fundraiser Returns

Photo Credit: Pexels

On the lawn of a church that has served Hamilton and Ascot since 1895, a much newer local tradition will return this August. The Rotary Club of Hamilton is preparing to hold its third annual Craft Beer Festival at St Augustine’s Anglican Church, bringing craft brewers, food and live music together for an afternoon of community fundraising.

More than 300 guests attended the October 2025 festival. Funds generated that year were distributed to three local charities, with Immediate Past President Victor Gado crediting the patrons, sponsors and donors who contributed to the event.

The festival will return to the Racecourse Road church on Saturday, 22 August, running from 11 am to 4:30 pm.

Three Beneficiaries for the Third Festival

This year’s proceeds will support Peggy’s Place, St Augustine’s Church and Brothers Support Network.

Peggy’s Place provides a safe place for families affected by domestic and family violence.

Brothers Support Network helps males with disability live independently through trained male support workers. Its services extend across Brisbane, the Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast.

For St Augustine’s, the festival serves two roles. The church is again providing its grounds as the venue while also receiving support for the restoration of its existing facilities and future improvement plans.

Father David Ruthven said the funding would contribute to that work as the Racecourse Road precinct continued to develop.

Hamilton Craft Beer Festival — Photo Credit: Pexels

Craft Beer Returns to the Hamilton Lawn

The 2026 program will feature a selection of craft beers from artisan brewers, along with barbecue food and music.

Wine and non-alcoholic drinks will also be available. Grazing boxes supplied by The Grazing Italians can be purchased as a ticket add-on, but they must be ordered before the festival and collected on the day.

Raffles will be drawn during the event, with the Rotary Club of Hamilton also accepting donated prizes and sponsorship enquiries. Harcourts Local is sponsoring the festival.

VIP tables offering food, drinks and maître d’ service will be available alongside general admission.

For patrons aged 18 and over, entry includes a voucher for the first drink and a keepsake glass. Responsible service of alcohol requirements will apply, and identification may be requested.

People under 18 can attend when accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. Adult and under-18 guests will receive separate wristbands.

Early-bird entry costs $30, while two tickets cost $60. The early-bird rates are limited to the first 100 bookings, with tickets and grazing box pre-orders available through Eventbrite.

Published 9-July-2026

Bluey’s Brisbane Home Remains In Northshore Hamilton

Bluey’s World will remain in Northshore Hamilton, extending Brisbane’s exclusive run as the home of the family experience inspired by the locally made series.

Bluey’s World will continue operating exclusively in Brisbane until 3 February 2028, keeping the attraction at Northshore Hamilton after strong demand since its opening.

The experience, based on the television series Bluey, opened in November 2024 and has welcomed more than half a million visitors. It remains located at 281 Macarthur Drive, Northshore Hamilton, where families and fans can take part in a guided experience shaped around the world of Bluey.

The extension keeps Bluey’s World in the city where the series was created, written, animated and post-produced. The show follows Bluey, a blue heeler dog, with her mum, dad and younger sister Bingo, using play and family life as the centre of its stories.

Bluey’s World at Northshore Hamilton — Photo Credit: Supplied

At Northshore Hamilton, the experience brings elements of the series into a physical setting through set designs, interactive games and activities for children and adults. It is designed as a guided visit rather than a general exhibition, giving visitors a structured way to move through the world connected to the Brisbane-made program.

Since opening, Bluey’s World has drawn visitors from across Australia and overseas. More than a quarter of visitors have travelled from interstate, adding to the attraction’s visitor base beyond Brisbane.

Research covering 7 November 2024 to 17 March 2026 recorded 501,107 direct visitor nights linked to the attraction. Total direct and incremental expenditure across Queensland was placed at $156.9 million over the same period.

The extension also means tickets are now available through to 2028, with prices starting from AUD$44.90 plus booking fee.

Bluey’s World Brisbane visitor experience — Photo Credit: Supplied

Bluey’s World Remains Connected To Brisbane

The continued Hamilton run keeps Bluey’s World closely tied to the place where the series was made. Bluey is produced by Ludo Studio for ABC KIDS Australia and co-commissioned by ABC Children’s and BBC Studios.

The series has been produced in association with Screen Australia and Screen Queensland. BBC Studios Kids & Family holds global distribution and merchandise rights, while the show airs in Australia on ABC.

Bluey’s World ticket announcement — Photo Credit: Supplied

Bluey’s World is produced by BBC Studios and HVK World. The attraction extends the screen world of Bluey into a visitor experience while keeping its exclusive location in Brisbane.

The social media announcement from official Bluey and Bluey’s World Brisbane accounts also confirmed that tickets were available through to 2028. Responses to the announcement included fans asking whether the Brisbane experience would remain open until then, alongside positive reactions to the extended run.

For Hamilton, the extension keeps a major Bluey-linked visitor attraction at Northshore for the next phase of its Brisbane run. Bookings for Bluey’s World Brisbane are available through Ticketek.

Updated 3-July-2026

Epic 7,000-Square-Metre Play Centre Landing at Brisbane Airport

Photo Credit: Brisbane Airport

Families visiting Brisbane Airport will soon swap traditional shopping for giant ninja courses and high ropes as a massive 7,000-square-metre space-themed playground touches down at the Skygate precinct.

The enormous Area 51 indoor entertainment facility is scheduled to welcome visitors in late 2027. Taking up a massive footprint, this space will become the largest of its kind for the company and marks the seventh location built across Queensland. Rather than just offering standard shops, the precinct is expanding to include climbing arenas, huge inflatables, trampolines, and sports courts.

The site is designed to cater to everyone, featuring a dedicated toddler zone for younger children and a cafe for parents to relax in, alongside spaces reserved for corporate gatherings and birthday parties.

This project is part of a broader plan to change how locals and tourists use the space. Scott Norris, the commercial executive general manager for Brisbane Airport, noted that the new playground adds to a growing mix of dining and leisure options at the location.

He explained that the goal is to build an experience-driven destination where visitors stay to play and explore all day, rather than just doing a quick grocery shop at Woolworths or picking up clothes at the discount outlets.

The developers want the site to be more than just a standard fun park. Michael Affleck, the chief operating officer for Area 51 World, stated that the massive new centre is designed to be a community meeting place that provides energy and adventure for groups of all sizes. He added that the team is excited to bring people of all ages together to connect and make memories. This shift toward interactive entertainment is already underway, as the precinct recently hosted a popular dinosaur exhibition created by the major live-events company Fever.

Published Date 29-June-2026

Meet the Robot Mowers Working Around the Clock at Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport

Brisbane Airport has become the first major airport in Australia to trial a fleet of autonomous robot mowers, deploying four machines across its 919-hectare airside precinct in a move that will save more than 60,000 litres of diesel fuel every year.

The robot mowers, now operating on the airfield adjacent to the Hamilton and Eagle Farm precinct, run day and night on a mix of solar energy and the airport’s renewables-backed electrical network. They maintain grassed areas continuously rather than in scheduled bursts, a fundamental shift in how airside vegetation management is handled at one of the country’s busiest aviation hubs.

For Brisbane Airport, which processes more than 23 million passenger movements per year and sits across a land footprint equivalent to 54 South Bank Parklands, keeping the grass cut is not a cosmetic concern. It is a safety requirement.

Overgrown grass attracts wildlife, and wildlife on or near runways is one of the most persistent hazards in civil aviation. The robot fleet addresses that risk around the clock, significantly reducing the amount of time staff need to spend working in active airside zones.

The machines and how they stay in bounds

Each robot mower operates within a defined zone maintained by a combination of onboard sensors, geofencing and a physical barrier. The system keeps the machines away from active runways and taxiways, and they navigate autonomously without manual intervention once deployed. If something unexpected enters their path, they stop or redirect.

The continuous mowing cycle produces a secondary benefit that is less obvious but genuinely useful. Because the grass is cut little and often rather than in periodic heavy passes, the process selectively encourages healthier grass species to establish and allows the airport to reduce its use of herbicides across the airfield. The result, in the airport’s own assessment, is greener and more resilient grass than conventional mowing produces.

“These robot mowers might be small, but their impact is significant,” said Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff. “Unlike conventional mowing, which must be scheduled around air traffic and staff availability, these robotic mowers can operate day and night. This reduces disruption to flights and the need for manual mowing, helping to maintain our airfield while keeping safety front and centre.”

Part of a longer sustainability journey

The robot mower trial is the latest in a series of technology-driven sustainability initiatives at Brisbane Airport stretching back several years. The airport deployed Australia’s first all-electric aircraft refueller through Air BP in 2022 and introduced Oscar, an AI-powered smart recycling assistant, into its terminals the same year.

In 2023, it became the first Australian airport to achieve Airport Carbon Accreditation Level 4: Transformation, the highest level of the globally recognised accreditation programme. It also accelerated its Net Zero target by 25 years, committing to reach net zero scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2025.

Brisbane Airport Head of Sustainability Jess Rudd said the autonomous mowers align directly with that longer-term commitment. The 60,000-plus litres of diesel saved annually represent a meaningful reduction in operational emissions from ground maintenance alone, replacing fuel-heavy machinery that has historically run for long hours across the airfield.

“Our innovation programme is about trialling and scaling technology that delivers real results,” said Oscar Maan, Brisbane Airport’s Innovation Lead. “These autonomous mowers show how that approach is already making a difference on the ground.”

What comes next

The current pilot covers a growing portion of the airside land area, with the fleet expected to expand into additional zones over time. How quickly that expansion happens will depend on the programme’s ongoing performance assessments, but the airport has signalled clearly that scaling the technology is the intention rather than keeping it confined to a trial footprint.

Brisbane Airport sits within the City of Moreton Bay and Brisbane City boundary near Hamilton, Pinkenba and Eagle Farm, and its operations connect the region to more than 50 domestic and international destinations.

Further information on Brisbane Airport’s sustainability programme is available here.

Published 26-June-2026

The Story behind Dunaverty, Albion’s Scottish-inspired Heritage Home

Dunaverty, in nearby Albion, is a heritage-listed house dating from Brisbane’s late-1880s boom period. Located on the corner of Birkbeck and Hudson roads, the picturesque timber cottage retains much of the character that led to its heritage listing.

Read: New 11-Storey Twin Towers Proposed on Dover Street, Albion

Built in 1887, Dunaverty is notable for its architectural detailing and historical associations. The house is closely associated with its builder, Scottish migrant and real estate entrepreneur Archibald McNish Fraser, and his family.

A showpiece for a rising entrepreneur

Sketch of Fraser Archibald McNish. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 167284

Dunaverty was built by Archibald McNish Fraser, a Scottish migrant who arrived in Brisbane in 1880 at the age of 22 after completing his building apprenticeship.

After establishing himself as a building contractor in Brisbane and Cleveland, Fraser expanded into real estate. In 1885, he purchased the Albion site from his father-in-law, John Barclay, and by 1887 had launched his own business, the Onward Real Property Mart.

His success coincided with a period of strong growth in Brisbane. In 1888, the Aldine History of Queensland recognised Fraser as one of a group of young entrepreneurs who had prospered in the city. Around the same time, his company was regarded as one of Brisbane’s most successful real estate businesses.

Heritage records suggest the house may have been built to showcase Fraser’s business. The residence occupied a prominent corner position and featured decorative details that reflected both the builder’s craftsmanship and personal identity.

Scottish heritage carved into the home

Decorative detailing on Dunaverty (Photo credit: BCC)

A notable feature of Dunaverty is the incorporation of Scottish motifs throughout the design. The chamferboard cottage, with its hipped corrugated iron roof and decorative verandahs, includes Scottish thistle motifs in its timberwork, cast iron lacework, window and entry brackets, and even elements of the stonework. Inside the house, thistle motifs appear in ceiling roses and fanlights above the doors.

Personalised details can also be found above the home’s front doors. The decorative fanlights incorporate the names and nicknames of Fraser’s wife, Jemima, and three of their children: Nellie, Charlie, Mima and Katie. According to heritage records, these referred to Ellen, Charles, Jemima and Christina Fraser.

These decorative elements provide insight into the family’s Scottish heritage and the personal significance Fraser attached to the home.

Part of the Albion Heritage Trail

Today, Dunaverty is included on Brisbane’s Albion Heritage Trail, which highlights sites associated with the suburb’s history.

Its prominent corner location and rich decorative detailing distinguish it from many of the modest cottages along Birkbeck Street. Heritage records describe the house as making a picturesque contribution to the streetscape.

For visitors exploring the heritage trail, the home offers an opportunity to see one of Albion’s surviving nineteenth-century residences and learn more about the suburb’s development during Brisbane’s expansion in the late 1800s.

A survivor through changing times

The Fraser family’s time living at Dunaverty was relatively brief. During the economic downturn of the early 1890s, the family moved to West End, closer to Fraser’s property developments. Although they retained ownership until 1912, the house was occupied by a succession of tenants for much of that period.

In 1912, the property was purchased by William McGregor and renamed “Carvarmore”. It changed hands several times over the following decades and underwent a number of alterations, including the possible addition of the south-east verandah and later extensions at the rear.

Read: Max Elliot: Impressive Teen With Autism Lands Job as Chef in Albion

Despite these changes, much of the original structure and decorative detailing has survived. Heritage records note that some original cedar joinery and ironmongery were stolen while the property stood vacant in 1998.

More than a century after it was built, Dunaverty remains a prominent heritage-listed home in Albion. Its surviving decorative features reflect the life and career of Archibald McNish Fraser and Brisbane’s late nineteenth-century boom period.

Published 25-June-2026

Would You Try a Wagyu Curry Bun? Brisbane’s Newest Food Stall Thinks You Should

OKO OKO has opened at Eat Street Northshore on MacArthur Avenue in Hamilton, debuting what its founders describe as the world’s first wagyu kare pan: a deep-fried Japanese curry bun built around Darling Downs wagyu, eighteen months in the making.

The kare pan, Japan’s beloved panko-crusted curry bun invented in Tokyo in 1927, has never been built around wagyu until now.

OKO OKO’s version is filled with Queensland wagyu sourced from Sandalwood Feedlot on the Darling Downs, one of Australia’s oldest and most awarded producers, combined with a cheesy curry filling, panko-crusted and fried to order behind a Shinjuku-styled pagoda facade unlike anything else in the precinct.

Founder Michael Otway says the dish took six months of development on its own. “The dough, the curry, the wagyu, the cheese, the fry,” he said. “Queensland wagyu changes the dish. No kitchen in Japan or anywhere else has done it this way. What comes out of the fryer at OKO OKO is something Brisbane hasn’t tasted before.”

A dish with a serious backstory

Kare pan has a devoted following in Japan, with its own annual national grand prix and a 50,000-member association. It is one of Japan’s most loved everyday foods, widely available from bakeries across the country. What no kitchen in Japan or anywhere else had done, according to OKO OKO, was make wagyu the centrepiece.

The chef behind the menu brings serious credentials to that claim. OKO OKO’s global head chef previously worked at Nobu London and Yoko Brisbane. The full OKO OKO menu extends well beyond the kare pan into okonomiyaki, yakisoba, yakisoba pan and other Japanese street food classics, all built to the same elevated standard.

The Shinjuku-styled pagoda that frames OKO OKO’s space at Eat Street is described by the founders as a physical expression of the menu itself: respected traditions, modern elevation.

Getting to Eat Street Northshore

Eat Street Northshore at 221D MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton is open Friday and Saturday from 4pm to 10pm and Sunday from 4pm to 9pm. Entry is $6 per person. The precinct is accessible by CityCat to the Northshore Hamilton terminal, a 250-metre walk from the entrance, or by car with 1,400-plus free parks on site.

Published 12-June-2026

Mental Health Awareness Walk to Start in Hamilton

A 50km mental health fundraising walk involving former NRL players and sporting personalities will begin in Hamilton, with participants set to depart from Hercules Street Park before making their way across Brisbane ahead of Magic Round.

The “M-Brace the Magic” walk will take place on Friday, 15 May, running from 5:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

Participants will begin at Hercules Street Park in Hamilton before travelling through Kangaroo Point, Hawthorne, Bulimba, South Brisbane, West End and St Lucia, eventually finishing at Suncorp Stadium for the opening Magic Round game between the Sharks and Bulldogs.

Among those taking part are former NRL players Ryan Girdler, Tim Smith, Dene Halatau and Todd Carney, alongside other sporting identities and media personalities.

According to organisers, the event aims to raise awareness around mental health as rates of anxiety, trauma and depression continue to rise across Australia. Money raised through the fundraiser will go towards free mental health services.

The event is linked to Magic Round weekend, one of the largest events on Brisbane’s rugby league calendar.

For Hamilton residents, the fundraiser places the suburb at the official starting point of the 50km walk. Participants are expected to walk in stages ranging from 10km to 14km between scheduled breaks. The event will include morning and afternoon pitstops at the City Botanic Gardens.

Brisbane beverage company Sip Coco has partnered with the event and will provide drinks to participants during the walk. The company’s range includes pure coconut water as well as flavours including passionfruit, ginger, watermelon, lychee and pineapple.

Sip Coco said the partnership marks its second involvement in a sporting event following a partnership with Surfing Queensland’s Gold Coast Open earlier this year. Sip Coco Marketing Director Tayla Dodd said the company was proud to support the fundraiser.

“With no added sugar and five natural electrolytes – sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorus – our pure coconut water is the perfect way to rehydrate after a long walk,” she said.

“We applaud all the players, athletes and fans who are tackling this epic walk for a good cause.”

The company launched in June last year and says more than 500 cafes and retail outlets around Australia now stock its products.

Organisers say the fundraiser is designed to raise both money and awareness around mental health support.

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Published 11-May-2026