A historic moment for Queensland tourism and entertainment unfolded as The Star Brisbane, the centrepiece of the A$3.6 billion (US$2.4 billion) Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct, welcomed its first visitors.
The initial phase of the multi-stage opening commenced with the unveiling of the Neville Bonner Bridge, a pedestrian walkway connecting South Bank to The Star Brisbane’s dining hub, The Terrace. Named after the first Indigenous parliamentarian, the bridge is expected to facilitate 10,000 crossings daily.
The bridge’s opening coincided with the relocation of the Bust of Neville Bonner, a bronze sculpture honouring the late senator, to its new location at the northern end of the bridge. William Street, closed for nearly eight years, has also reopened to the public, with a designated taxi and Uber drop-off zone.
Accommodation-wise, the flagship five-star riverfront hotel The Star Grand with 340 keys, has been fully booked for the first four days, with reservations extending well into September and December. The Leisure Deck on Level Seven, as well as three hotel pools and pool bar, are also open.
The resort’s high-tech, state-of-the-art, 3,500m2 Event Centre – boasting the city’s largest hotel ballroom which can hold up to 1,440 seats – is also open; the venue has limited booking availability for the remainder of 2024.
One of the most anticipated attractions, the Sky Deck, offering panoramic views of Brisbane, is also open for public access, and with high demand expected, controlled access will be in place to ensure safety.
The Queen’s Wharf precinct also boasts a new public art gallery, showcasing works by local, First Nations, and international artists. Notable pieces include Lindy Lee’s eight-meter masterpiece and Tony Albert’s floating art garden.
A range of culinary and entertainment options are also available, including Japanese restaurant Sokyo, Fat Noodle by Luke Nguyen, Sports Bar, Cherry, LiveWire and Food Quarter.
Daniel Finch, CEO of The Star Brisbane, expressed his enthusiasm for the development, stating that 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.
“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,” he added.
Anthony Ryan, CEO of Brisbane Economic Development Agency, emphasised the precinct’s transformative impact on Brisbane’s skyline and visitor economy.
CEO of Tourism and Events Queensland and chair of Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Marketing and Event Committee, Patricia O’Callaghan, agreed and added that the development will be a “huge contributor” to the state’s 2032 goal to make tourism an A$44 billion industry.
Future areas that will open progressively include a Dorsett and Rosewood hotel tower, Velo Café end of trip facility, luxury retail destinations, and a string of heritage buildings that boast experiences, retail and F&B outlets.
