Slow Travel in Australia: Immerse Yourself in Brisbane’s Relaxed Lifestyle

By 10 a.m. on a Sunday, stylish men and women are already seated at the wooden tables in front of the boutique supermarket James Street Market, sipping coffee while fiddling with their iPhones. Across the lane, in the open dining area, white-uniformed waiters from Spoon are serving breakfast, trays laden with more coffee and vibrant salads. Some diners haven’t even put down their newspapers yet—even though it’s Sunday, nothing seems to pause. People at James St. have relaxed expressions but aren’t idle. They seem well aware of their plans for today and tomorrow. Even on a Sunday, they aim to live precisely and meaningfully.

 

Order a modest yet fresh and delicious breakfast for yourself. Once done, visit a nearby gallery for a mini exhibition, chatting softly with the staff about the artworks and shifts in the collecting market. Then head to a home decor store to pick out some ornaments and tableware, and finally return to James Street Market to select some cheese or imported spices. Carry with you the organic nuts from The Nut Market and the fresh beef from Prime Specialty Meats, and don’t forget to spare a hand to grab a cup of fresh fruit yogurt from the dessert shop Quench on your way to the parking lot, replenishing your energy along the way.

Start the engine, roll down the windows, put on sunglasses, and drive off with expressions as if enjoying a sail—yet the clothing stores on James St. are only just preparing to open. But these people are completely untempted by the beautiful clothes in the windows. For them, Sundays are for enjoying home life and intimate gatherings with friends. They seek elements that make everything more comfortable—like premium ingredients, sturdy silverware and fine porcelain plates, or an aromatic essential oil candle—and topics about culture and current affairs. That’s why they choose to come to James St. on Sunday mornings. This street always delivers.

 

James St. is located in Brisbane’s emerging upscale district, New Farm, often likened to New York’s Upper West Side. Home to many lawyers, architecture firms, and design studios, New Farm fosters an elite atmosphere, becoming a hub for high-end restaurants, boutiques, and top-tier supermarkets. James St. is at its core, radiating a strong urban vibe that captures Brisbane’s modern rhythm—sleek yet light.

 

Scattered across James St. are various independent galleries, but REDSEA Gallery, established in 2008 and hailing from Singapore, is the most dazzling art highlight of late.

 

Spanning 2,600 square feet, REDSEA Gallery showcases a wealth of contemporary artworks, featuring not only artists from across Australia but also pieces from other countries. The forms range from paintings and sculptures to installations. What makes REDSEA Gallery truly special is its pursuit of novel, avant-garde concepts without obsessing over formal challenges. As a result, the artworks here all carry an approachable, friendly quality, allowing for comfortable and relaxed art appreciation.

Among the many lifestyle shops on James St., Kova Lifestyle left the deepest impression on me. Behind its simple, minimally decorated storefront lies a collection of exquisite, tasteful home goods. The steady stream of customers is a testament to the store’s refined taste—it’s truly a favorite among Brisbane’s new elite.

 

Kova Lifestyle offers a wide range of items without being tacky—local handmade soaps, exotically patterned fabrics, vintage home decor, and more. Though the selection is rich, it remains tasteful. There are also many brands offering indoor displays suitable for gifting or personal use. I was particularly fond of one from the UK, True Grace.

 

Founded under ARCO, True Grace uses pure natural linseed oil and beeswax as main ingredients, with cotton wicks to ensure complete burn-off with zero residue. Each candle is handmade in Wiltshire, England. The fragrances are inspired by founders Philippa Nolan and Roger Biles, who previously worked with brands like Calvin Klein, Molton Brown, Mulberry, Pringle, and Muji. The scents are unmistakably upscale—I counted around 30 available aromas. Kova Lifestyle selects mostly subtle options, such as ocean, grass, tea, and more. I’m especially fond of one called Whitetea, which offers a bright, refreshing olfactory experience, as if cleansing the day with clarity and softness.

 

As soon as I stepped into James Street Market, I was reminded of the Tokyo Kinokuniya supermarket from Haruki Murakami’s novels, because everything here is “beautifully arranged,” making even a pumpkin or tomato feel like an art piece to be admired—unique curves and flawless smooth skins. The fruits and vegetables managed by Fine Fruit on James are all carefully handpicked, with staff constantly ensuring they remain in peak condition. The abundance of imported spices and foreign foods further highlights its upscale status.

Additionally, James Street Market has a flower shop and a French pastry boutique, injecting a special elegance into what is essentially a supermarket for daily necessities. Walking through it, you can’t help but envy the life of Brisbanites.

 

The first to bring European flair to Park Rd was La Dolce Vita Caffe, opened by Italians. But based on recommendations from locals, we decided to go “more Parisian” and chose a restaurant called Rue de Paris for lunch.

 

Compared to the dimly lit curved seating area indoors, we fell in love at first sight with Rue de Paris’s vine-covered front courtyard seating. As for those spots with night skies as screens—well, those are best reserved for couples in love.