In a move that could ruffle feathers from the Whitsundays to the Yarra, Queensland’s Comiskey Group has laid its golden egg: a jaw-dropping $250 million expansion of its famed Sandstone Point precinct. This isn’t just another “spruce-up-the-place” job; it’s a full-scale, architectural love letter to luxury, community, and tourism dollars, right on the doorstep of the pristine Pumicestone Passage.

It’s the vision Queensland’s tourism mandarins have long prayed for — and frankly, it couldn’t come at a better time. With the Brisbane 2032 Olympics drawing ever closer and the regional visitor economy crying out for a shot in the arm, the Comiskeys have answered not with a whisper, but a champagne-fuelled roar.

From Beer Garden to Five-Star Brilliance

 

The Sandstone Point Hotel has already earned its stripes — from seafood platters to sell-out concerts under Moreton Bay skies, it’s long been a locals’ favourite and a tourist treasure. But now, the Comiskeys have drawn a new line in the sand. Or perhaps we should say, redrawn the map entirely.

This next act? A 5-star hotel — the first of its kind on greenfield land in the region — boasting 202 suites across two ultra-modern buildings. These won’t be your average “chuck-a-bed-in” rooms either. We’re talking one, two, and three-bedroom suites, all dressed in coastal elegance and offering uninterrupted views across the water. Pumicestone Passage, consider your close-up requested.

But don’t let the lavish touches fool you. This isn’t luxury for luxury’s sake. It’s a business move — and a masterstroke at that.

Not Just a Resort — A Full-Scale Destination Experience

As with most things Comiskey, this isn’t a hotel slapped next to a bottle shop. It’s a fully integrated experience. The development reads like a travel editor’s fantasy checklist:

• Infinity pool? Tick.

• Adults-only swim-up bar with DJ booth? Tick.

• Family-friendly pool zones? Tick.

• A full-service gym, wellness centre, and a restaurant with more Mediterranean charm than a Mykonos sunset? Tick, tick, and another tick.

And lest anyone forget the little extras: there’ll also be a tourism information centre, indoor entertainment including tenpin bowling, and expanded event infrastructure for the big-ticket gigs and conferences.

If you thought Sandstone Point had already reached its peak, think again. The Comiskeys are taking this to the penthouse.

A Strategic Play for the Visitor Economy

While the guest experience is front and centre, the broader economic ripple effects are impossible to ignore — and neither should they be.

This development is expected to attract over 117,000 visitor nights per year. Those are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they’re bottom lines swelling at local cafés, gift shops, petrol stations, and wedding planners from Bribie to Burpengary.

Annual visitor spending? A tidy $143.3 million, according to modelling. And jobs? A staggering 995 during and post-construction, opening the gates to trades, tourism, transport, and everything in between.

It’s perfectly aligned with the Queensland Government’s Destination 2045 plan, which ticks all the boxes regarding sustainable growth, regional infrastructure, and employment uplift.

“A Defining Moment”: The Industry Reacts

Luke Edwards, CEO of Tourism and Events Moreton Bay, put it best: With the region entering a crucial phase in Brisbane 2032, ‘developments like this play a key role’ in ensuring that the area doesn’t just compete — it captivates.

“The Comiskey Group’s expansion will strengthen our region’s appeal, support jobs, and contribute to a more vibrant, experience-rich destination for both locals and visitors,” Edwards noted.

And if that sounded like polished PR, Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Natassia Wheeler delivered it with a thump.

“With only 46,000 hotel rooms in South East Queensland — far below cities like Los Angeles and Paris — we’re facing a looming shortfall,” she said. “This development is not just welcome; it’s critical.”

Indeed, with Brisbane 2032 a mere stone’s throw away on the calendar, the race is on — not just for stadiums and infrastructure, but for enough beds, restaurants, and reasons to linger.

“This is a game-changing investment that will elevate Greater Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region by delivering long-term benefits for our visitor economy,” Wheeler added.

A Family Affair with Deep Roots

This isn’t a faceless conglomerate phoning in a development from a downtown boardroom. It’s a family affair, in the truest, old-school Queensland tradition.

Rob Comiskey, Director and man-about-the-bay, reflected on the journey: “My family and I have owned this land since 2011, and from day one, we knew it was special. It’s opposite Bribie Island, surrounded by beaches, bushland, and 4WD tracks — a natural drawcard.”

Over the years, the Comiskeys have steadily built Sandstone Point into a household name — from launching Australia’s most popular BIG4 holiday park to creating a thriving events precinct. This expansion, Rob said, is “the natural evolution.”

“We’ve drawn people in with live music, great dining, and award-winning accommodation. Now we’re delivering the first 5-star experience in Moreton Bay — building on what’s already here and making it even more compelling.”

Thinking Globally, Building Locally

The Comiskey Group isn’t simply plonking a hotel on a map. They’re thinking long-term. Strategic partnerships with global brands are currently being explored to elevate international appeal, focusing on eco-tourism collaborations.

Director Paul Comiskey, who has been building in the region since the 1970s, recalled his roots: “My first project was a squash centre in Strathpine back in 1974. We’ve always thought big — and this is our boldest yet.”

That legacy? It’s being built upon with purpose, not nostalgia.

“We’re seeking like-minded partners to help elevate the eco-tourism offering,” said Rob. “This is more than a development — it’s a calling card to the world.”

Watch This Space

With shovels poised and plans rolling out, Sandstone Point is not only getting an upgrade — it’s gunning for the spotlight on Queensland’s world tourism stage.

Few families are as embedded in a region’s future as the Comiskeys are in Moreton Bay. They’re not just developing for the sake of it — they’re shaping a legacy.

From beachside beer garden to Olympic-era five-star flagship, Sandstone Point is stepping up — and in trademark Comiskey style, it’s doing so with a wink, a plan, and plenty of room at the bar.

By Karuna Johnson

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