It’s open: The Star Brisbane as part of the $3.6+ billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct has welcomed its first visitors heralding a history-making, new era of tourism and entertainment in Queensland.
The first phase of a multi-phased opening commenced overnight with the removal of barricades to the Neville Bonner Bridge and the first of an expected 10,000 pedestrian crossings a day traversed the new cross river connector.
Named after the first Indigenous parliamentarian, the bridge will link the cultural heart of South Bank to The Star Brisbane’s dining runway, The Terrace (Level Four) and act as a thoroughfare to the greater Brisbane CBD.
The bridge opening comes 24 hours after the relocated Bust of Neville Bonner, an 80kg cast bronze sculpture of the late former Senator, was unveiled at the northern end of the bridge.
William Street, closed for almost eight years, has re-opened to the public with a dedicated taxi and uber drop-off location and is ready for a return of vehicles, buses and pedestrian pass through.
A lift installed between William Street and Queen’s Wharf Road at the beautified Miller Park will also provide increased public accessibility.
340 unique, luxury hotel rooms have been added to Brisbane’s accommodation inventory, with the first guests checking-in to the signature 5-star riverfront hotel The Star Grand from 10am.
The hotel is fully booked for the first four days with forward holdings into September and through to December exceeding expectations.
The resort’s high-tech, state of the art, 3,500sqm Event Centre boasting the city’s largest hotel ballroom is set to supercharge Brisbane’s already booming events and conferencing industry with limited booking availability for the remainder of 2024.
Eagerly awaited public access to the iconic Sky Deck, 100m above the Brisbane River with views from the CBD to Moreton Bay and Mt Coot-tha and featuring a glass bottom observation deck will open from 5pm with sunset cocktails also on offer from sky-high hero bar Cicada Blu.
With high demand expected controlled access will be in place to ensure public safety.
Brisbane’s new multi-million-dollar public art gallery spread across the entire 12-hectare Queen’s Wharf precinct will elevate the city’s cultural reputation, showcasing stunning works from local, First Nations and international artists and complement the South Bank cultural hot spot across the river.
Artworks include the recently unveiled eight-metre eight tonne masterpiece by Brisbane’s own Lindy Lee, a 15-metre floating art garden depicting native plants by Brisbane-based First Nations artist Tony Albert at the entrance to the porte cochere hotel entrance on William Street and a five-tonne bronze sculpture “Sheila” by Brisbane artist Justene Williams.
A suite of culinary and entertainment offerings will also entice as part of the day one roll-out including cutting-edge Japanese restaurant Sokyo helmed by Australia’s Sashimi Florist, Chef Alex Yu, a reimagined Fat Noodle by celebrity chef Luke Nguyen, Sports Bar, Cherry, LiveWire and Food Quarter.
The gaming floors, which comprise just five per cent of the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct will open at 2pm.
This follows the closure of Treasury Brisbane at midnight on Sunday 25 August. The Treasury Brisbane hotel will remain open.
The opening weekend coincides with the Battle of Brisbane Dolphins vs. Broncos home game and Brisbane’s biggest party, Brisbane Festival with the transformed grassed public areas along the river including The Landing and Finger Wharves to open after Riverfire celebrations.
Quotes attributable to The Star Brisbane Chief Executive Officer Daniel Finch.
“All Queenslanders are invited to be part of the history-making opening.”
“This is a momentous day for Brisbane, the state and our almost 3,000 hard-working team members.”
“We are thrilled to officially welcome Brisbane and indeed the world to this highly anticipated and game-changing tourism and entertainment precinct.”
“This is day one of the first phase of a multi-phased opening that will offer something new and exciting for locals and visitors to enjoy and experience every time they return.”
“Like the rest of Brisbane, we are excited for this city-defining precinct to invigorate the CBD, including our nighttime economy and we will continue to progressively roll out a steady stream of new restaurants, bars, public spaces and destinations revitalising an underutilised 12 hectares of the city’s river’s edge.”
“Brisbane is building a well-deserved reputation as a world class city and we are working hard to contribute to the tourism and cultural fabric that will make locals proud, provide thousands of jobs and attract global attention.”
“Once fully operational, The Star Brisbane and broader Queen’s Wharf precinct are expected to attract approximately 1.4 million additional visitors to Queensland each year as we quickly approach the 2032 Brisbane Games.”
Quotes attributable to The CEO Tourism and Events Queensland and Chair Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Marketing and Event Committee Patricia O’Callaghan:
“The opening of the Queen’s Wharf development will forever mark a moment in Brisbane’s history where a truly inspiring vision has come to life.
“Our city skyline is forever enhanced by this incredible precinct, positioning Brisbane as a genuinely global city and benefitting every business and resident of our stunning city.
“The quintessentially Queensland experiences across accommodation, entertainment, events, conferences, retail and dining that Queen’s Wharf adds to our already exceptional offering and will no doubt be a huge drawcard for visitors, being a huge contributor to our industry’s 2032 goal to make tourism a $44 billion industry for the state.”
Quotes attributable to The CEO Brisbane Economic Development Agency (BEDA) Anthony Ryan:
“The Queen’s Wharf precinct is a game-changer that will transform Brisbane’s skyline and supercharge the region’s $10.6 billion visitor economy.”
“In addition to new world-class hotels, event venues and a stunning riverside precinct, this landmark development will further catapult Brisbane’s reputation on the world stage as a must-do destination,” Mr Ryan said.
“Brisbane’s global popularity as a city to live, work, visit and invest is taking the world by storm. The addition of Queen’s Wharf just adds another compelling reason why Brisbane is the new hero of Queensland tourism.”
Areas to open on Day One
- Public Areas: Neville Bonner Bridge, sections of the upgraded Bicentennial Bikeway, Miller Park, Sky Deck viewing platform
- The Star Grand: 340 hotel rooms including four penthouses, Sokyo restaurant (Japanese), hotel lobby bar
- Event Centre: 1,440 seat ballroom with pre-function bar, outdoor terrace and views to the Story Bridge
- Level Five & Six: LiveWire, Sports Bar, Fat Noodle (South-East Asian), Food Quarter, Cherry, Main Casino Floor and Premium Gaming Rooms
Areas to open as progressively from Day One
- The Terrace Dining, Level Four: restaurants will open progressively during first phase
- Three hotel pools including two infinity edged pools and pool bar
- Leisure Deck on Level Seven
- 5 hectares of public space along the riverline
Areas to open as progressively as part of the next phase of a multi-staged opening.
- Dorsett and Rosewood hotel tower
- Velo Café end of trip facility
- Luxury Retail destinations
- Heritage buildings: Activated with experiences, retail and food & beverage
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is being delivered by Destination Brisbane Consortium – a joint venture led by The Star Entertainment Group alongside its Hong Kong-based partners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium.
ENDS
Media Contacts:
Karryn Wheelans, Group Head of Media, The Star Entertainment Group, +61 431 151 009
Graham Witherspoon, Head of Communications, Destination Brisbane Consortium,
