Developments for 2024 and beyond

Australia has been undergoing unprecedented infrastructure developments of recent times. Almost 200 new hotels have opened across Australia since January 2020, adding approximately 19,000 rooms to the country’s portfolio. With a wealth of new and exciting products in the pipeline, including accommodation, venues and experiences, here is a wrap up of key developments for 2024 and beyond.

ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA 

Seppeltsfield winery, in the historic Barossa Valley wine region of Adelaide/Tarntanya, has announced that a new A$50 million six-star luxury hotel, The Oscar, will be opening in 2025. The luxury 12-storey hotel will have around 70 rooms. A viewing deck on the top floor of the hotel will encompass sweeping 360-degree views over the Barossa Valley.

South Australia’s first Marriott Hotel is expected to open in 2024 and will integrate seamlessly with Adelaide’s historic General Post Office (GPO) building. The property will feature 285 guest rooms, including a Presidential Suite, Club Lounge, signature restaurants and bars, as well as function and conference rooms.

The Entrepreneur and Innovation Centre (EIC), located in the Lot Fourteen precinct, a global innovation and entrepreneurial precinct which is also home to the Australian Space Agency, will bring industry, research and entrepreneurs together in a purpose-designed building to drive innovation and commercialisation.

BRISBANE, QUEENSLAND

The A$3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf Brisbane is due to commence a staged opening in 2024. The new riverfront precinct will offer a wide variety of indoor and outdoor event spaces, restaurants and rooftop gardens. Cementing Queen’s Wharf Brisbane as a destination in itself will be the opening of The Star Grand, followed by The Dorsett and the six-star Rosewood.

Leading up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, the Australian Government will provide over A$5 billion for the development of a new Brisbane Arena (a state-of-the-art indoor entertainment facility) and the redevelopment of The Brisbane Cricket Ground. The already popular precinct of Northshore Hamilton will also undergo a major transformation to become the athletes village.

Construction is underway of Brisbane’s new performing arts venue, scheduled to open mid-2024. The A$175 million theatre will offer capacity for 1,500 people and will be co-located with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. 

CAIRNS, QUEENSLAND

Cairns Airport international terminal will undergo a major upgrade. The redevelopment will include a complete refurbishment of the check-in, arrivals and departures areas, as well as the expansion of the arrivals areas to increase capacity.

The Cairns Gallery Precinct will transform three heritage listed buildings in the heart of the city, connecting the Cairns Art Gallery, the Cairns Court House and the former Mulgrave Shire Council Chambers, estimated to be completed by 2025.

DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY

A new hotel will be built along the Darwin/Gulumerrdgen waterfront adjacent to the Darwin Convention Centre. The Darwin Convention Centre Hotel is expected to offer 200-250 upscale rooms for corporate and leisure visitors, with views across Darwin Harbour and the waterfront.

GOLD COAST, QUEENSLAND 

A new six-storey luxury hotel at the Gold Coast’s Palm Beach is aiming for completion in 2025. The A$120 million Palm Beach Hotel will offer 126 rooms along with state-of-the-art amenities including a rooftop pool, spa and dining.

Marriott International has signed an agreement to bring luxury hotel brand St. Regis to the Gold Coast. Slated to open in 2027, The St. Regis Gold Coast Resort is expected to feature 185 guest rooms and suites boasting sweeping ocean and hinterland views.

The Ritz-Carlton is coming to the Gold Coast in 2026, marking the third hotel in Australia from the luxury chain. The hotel will boast 149 rooms and a 275 sqm (2,960 sq. ft) hotel suite alongside a large ballroom, dining options and a rooftop pool.

HOBART, TASMANIA

Accor has announced it will bring its Novotel brand to Tasmania’s capital of Hobart, in the city centre. The hotel will offer 206 guest rooms, a function space and a restaurant.

As part of the Macquarie Point urban renewal project, Hobart will welcome a new multipurpose sporting and entertainment Stadium in 2029. The plans for the precinct include transport infrastructure and upgrades to the Hobart port.

MELBOURNE, VICTORIA

Acclaimed Yarra Valley winery Levantine Hill Estate has received the green light to develop a new A$20 million boutique hotel on the property. The 33-room hotel will be located a short walk from the existing cellar door and restaurant buildings.

Six Senses will open its first Australian property in Victoria’s Dandenong Ranges, located 40 km (24 miles) from Melbourne/Narrm. Set in a heritage Art Deco mansion, Six Senses Burnham Beeches will initially offer 43 guest rooms, as well as a welcome lounge and terrace, a restaurant, a library bar, and a rooftop retreat.

A first-of-its-kind mixed-use development is coming to Melbourne/Narrm, featuring two world-class hotel brands, Collection by TFE Hotels and A by Adina. The development will also include a 1,000-person capacity event conference centre with 360-degree views of the city, located on a sky bridge connecting the two towers.

Preliminary designs have been revealed for National Gallery of Victoria (NGV) Contemporary, the centrepiece of a A$1.7 billion transformation of the Southbank arts and culture precinct in Melbourne/Narrm. Slated to open in 2028, the building will be Australia’s largest gallery dedicated to contemporary art and design.

PERTH, WESTERN AUSTRALIA

Located on the southern headland of Gnarabup Beach in the Margaret River wine region, The Westin Margaret River Resort & Spa will be renowned for its uninterrupted views over the Indian Ocean. When opened, it is expected to feature 120 guestrooms, including 45 spacious suites.

In 2025, Perth is set to welcome the largest surf park in the Southern Hemisphere, the Perth Surf Park will feature a 56-piston Wavegarden Cove and a high-performance surf academy.

SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES

In 2024, Sydney/Warrane inner-city suburb Surry Hills will be home to a new 102-room boutique hotel, developed by TFE Hotels. Guest facilities include a rooftop infinity pool with sweeping city views and the Cloister - an activated restaurant and bar space within the hotel.

The country’s first Waldorf Astoria hotel is set to open in Sydney, located in a premium position with unrivalled views across Sydney Harbour. The 220-room hotel includes a ballroom and function spaces, boardrooms, and a rooftop bar and restaurant.

Located on Blackwattle Bay on the western side of Sydney Harbour, a A$750 million building and precinct redevelopment is underway for the Sydney Fish Markets. Due for completion in 2024, the new expansive purpose-built space includes the renowned Sydney Seafood School, where incentive groups can partake in cooking classes using fresh produce.

The Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport is currently being developed. The airport is expected to service 10 million passengers a year from the day it opens at the end of 2026.

Newcastle Airport is embarking on a significant A$240 million expansion plan, to enhance domestic capacity and develop a new international terminal as well as accelerate the activation of Astra Aerolab, a defence, aerospace and innovation precinct.

Published: 20 June 2023