The $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct, featuring The Star Brisbane, has become a cornerstone of the city’s evolution into a world-class destination. This integrated resort development, a visionary collaboration between The Star Entertainment Group, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, and Far East Consortium, is not just a project—it’s a bold statement of Brisbane’s ambition to shine on the global stage, as we head toward the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Despite the initial financial challenges during construction, Queen’s Wharf is a catalyst for economic growth, cultural enrichment, and community connection, seamlessly blending spectacular facilities with public spaces that celebrate Brisbane’s subtropical lifestyle and heritage.
The precinct is already delivering immense benefits to Brisbane. It has created thousands of jobs during construction and will provide upwards of 8,000 operational roles, boosting local employment and supporting over 80% of contracts awarded to Queensland businesses; stunning! The Star Brisbane, a centrepiece of the development, offers a first-class resort experience with The Star Grand, a 5-star hotel featuring 340 rooms, including 60 suites and four penthouse suites, perfect for interstate and overseas visitors seeking luxury. The Star Brisbane also boasts an array of dining options among the precinct’s new cafes, bars, and restaurants. Highlights include Luke Nguyen’s reimagined Fat Noodle, serving Southeast Asian flavours, Sokyo’s Japanese fine dining, and Black Hide Steak & Seafood, now in a 240-seat riverside terrace space. These culinary offerings, paired with the resort’s upscale accommodations, position Brisbane as a must-visit destination for travellers ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Queen’s Wharf’s facilities are nothing short of spectacular, catering to a wide range of experiences. The Star Brisbane casino, occupying less than 5% of the precinct, replaces the former Treasury Casino with modern, world-class gaming facilities. Accommodation options extend beyond The Star Grand, with the 4.5-star Dorsett Brisbane catering to both business and leisure travellers and the upcoming 6-star Rosewood Hotel and the iconic Treasury Hotel promising unparalleled luxury. The Sky Deck, soaring 100 meters above the Brisbane River, is a standout feature, offering 360-degree views of the CBD, river, Mt Coot-tha, and Moreton Bay. Open 24/7 to the public, with a capacity for 1,500 visitors, the venue houses three distinct areas: Cicada Blu, an open-air cocktail bar; Aloria, a steak and seafood restaurant; and Babblers, a casual eatery. The Leisure Deck, a 12,000-square-meter open-air oasis situated 37 meters above street level, offers a mixed-use space featuring event areas, lawns perfect for sunset picnics, and three heated pools overlooking the skyline, accessible to both hotel guests and the public.
Surrounding public areas enhance the precinct’s appeal, transforming an underutilized part of the CBD into a vibrant riverside hub. Spanning 7.5 hectares, these spaces include the upgraded Bicentennial Bikeway, Waterline Park, which features recreational amenities such as table tennis and a climbing wall, and The Landing, a green riverside space. The Neville Bonner Bridge, which opened in August 2024, connects Queen’s Wharf to South Bank, facilitating pedestrian and cyclist movement while offering stunning views of the river. Heritage-listed buildings, such as the Commissariat Store and Old State Library, have been repurposed into publicly accessible spaces, blending Brisbane’s Indigenous and European history with modern functionality.
This development aligns with Brisbane’s broader transformation plan, positioning the city as a major international destination alongside other significant infrastructure projects for the 2032 Olympics. From the $6 billion Northshore Vision 2050, featuring a 60,000-seat stadium, to the Gabba’s redevelopment and new transport corridors like the M1 upgrades, Brisbane is gearing up to welcome the world. Queen’s Wharf’s state-of-the-art Event Centre, with Brisbane’s largest hotel ballroom seating 1,440, is set to “supercharge” the events industry, attracting “Bleisure” travellers and global events. The precinct’s 6-star Green Star Communities rating reflects its commitment to sustainability, ensuring social, environmental, and economic benefits for both locals and visitors.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is more than a development—it’s a holistic contribution to the city’s future. By blending luxury, entertainment, and accessible public spaces, it showcases Brisbane’s ambition to become a global city while honouring its heritage and community. As the 2032 Olympics approach, this precinct stands as a symbol of progress, set to deliver lasting economic and cultural dividends for generations to come.
