From the Sky Deck to Sokyo, Here's When Everything Will Start Opening at Brisbane's New Queen's Wharf Precinct

Start counting down the days: after over nine years in the making, the Queen's Wharf precinct will begin welcoming in Brisbanites from Thursday, August 29, 2024. Exactly when the CBD spot that's transforming a hefty area of the River City's inner city will open has been pushed back again and again, including plans to launch in 2022, then in April 2024, that clearly didn't come to fruition. But after locking in August timing for this year a few months back, Queen's Wharf has now confirmed its exact opening date.

The new $3.6-billion precinct right in the heart of Brisbane, complete with a towering deck filled with restaurants and bars that will sit 100 metres above the city, will launch in stages. Accordingly, while there's a hefty list of additions to Brissie on the way at Queen's Wharf, filling 12 hectares, you mightn't be able to hit them all up on day one. The site's fifth and sixth level at The Star Brisbane will be among the first to get up and running, however, which means that Luke Nguyen's reimagined Fat Noodle, cocktail bar Cherry and brand-new sports bar will launch on the last Thursday in August.

In excellent news for fan of top-notch Japanese cuisine, the initial outpost beyond Sydney for fine-diner Sokyo will also open on launch day.

Across the end of August into September, Sky Deck with its trio of venues — steak and seafood restaurant Aloria, casual eatery Babblers and openair bar Cicada Blu — will also start operating. The Sky Deck viewing platform will as well, as part of 7.5-hectares of public space that also includes the level-seven leisure deck, Miller Park, the upgraded Bicentennial Bikeway and the Neville Bonner Bridge over to South Bank. Joining them is a green space called The Landing, which will let folks in after Riverfire at this year's Brisbane Festival.

Similarly in this initial stage: The Star Grand with its 340 hotel rooms and three swimming pools, which is also where Sokyo will sit. Then there's the event centre with a 1440-seat ballroom, plus an outdoor terrace; the new LiveWire, which is being reborn as a live music-focused venue; a food quarter, plus other eating and drinking options; and a gymnasium.

From there, albeit without a specific timeframe, the tower with the 4.5-star Dorsett and Australia's only Rosewood hotel is also on its way, as is Brissie's first riverside bikeway cafe and a swathe of retailers in a huge new shopping precinct. More dining, such as an ice creamery, Asian cuisine and other spots themed around parts of the world, will come, too. And, so will the revitalised heritage buildings, which will feature food, beverage and retail options.

"Fittingly, public spaces will be among the first areas to be opened, and that includes the viewing platform on Sky Deck, Miller Park, and of course the Neville Bonner Bridge linking Queen's Wharf to South Bank," said The Star Brisbane Chief Executive Officer Daniel Finch.

"We are thrilled to be commencing our phased opening to coincide with Brisbane's biggest party, Brisbane Festival; however, the transformed grassed public areas along the river including The Landing and Finger Wharves will open after Riverfire."

Located between Alice, George, Queen and William streets, Queen's Wharf will also boast the relocated Black Hide Steak and Seafood, Italian eatery Cucina Regina, new artworks by Lindy Lee and approximately 1500 apartments, and host a massive calendar of events in its event centre from September.

"We want to ensure our team members are prepared, our facilities have been tested, our processes are right, and importantly our guests have an exceptional experience that they will talk about and come back to experience again," said Finch of the staged opening.

"Not everything will open all at once on day one. That also means returning guests will find something new to experience, not just here at The Star but also across both sides of the river."

Queen's Wharf will start opening in the Brisbane CBD from Thursday, August 29, 2024. Head to The Star Brisbane website for further details.