The North Queensland capital is set to unveil a city-shaping precinct come summer of 2025, as the multi-level hospitality and entertainment destination, Flinders Street Wharves, officially reveals its opening date.
On Thursday, 11 December 2025, Flinders Street Wharves will mark a new era of cultural exploration in Townsville, with the grand opening of the landmark $30M dining and lifestyle precinct.
Located in the former Burns Philp & Co. building at 108 Flinders Street, overlooking Townsville’s waterfront, Flinders Street Wharves will become the new dining mecca, housing six unique spaces in one destination, alongside Townsville’s first floating pontoon bar, The Docks, and marine tourism hub.
Publican and co-owner of Flinders Street Wharves, Grant Morgan, is eager to open the doors and breathe life back into the city’s centre.
“This vision has been many years in the making, and to be able to welcome locals to experience a new and exciting destination in Townsville is something we are so proud of,” Morgan said.
“Our role here at Flinders Street Wharves is to create a sense of place for the people of Townsville. For years, our city centre has longed for renewal, and now, this vibrant precinct has been delivered back to the locals as a destination to catch up, connect, and celebrate.”
The 2600sqm riverfront day-to-night destination aims to champion Townsville’s laidback lifestyle whilst blending refined experiences to create a vibrant, evolving space that never stands still.
With capacity for up to 1000 guests, Flinders Street Wharves will feature six indoor and outdoor spaces, and five bars, spanning two levels, each offering a unique experience from morning to evening and beyond. The Kiosk, the venue’s casual eatery will serve all-day coffee and morning bites by the waterfront.
Situated next to The Kiosk, the outdoor Beer Garden invites guests to dine and unwind under the Townsville sky. Inside, guests can expect a relaxed setting at The Bistro where pub favourites are the hero and the likes of woodfired pizzas, locally caught seafood, and seasonal dishes shine.
Meanwhile, Merchants Bar brings a sense of heritage, pairing the historic Burns, Philp & Co. building with 108 beer taps, is set to become a local institution. For those looking for an elevated dining experience, The Dining Room offers a private dining experience for up to 16 guests.
On the second level, guests can experience Townsville from a new perspective, atop The Rooftop where panoramic views and live entertainment bring the precinct to life come night.
The Flinders Street Wharves development officially commenced civil construction in September of 2024 and over the past 12 months, the former centre of imports and exports in North Queensland which
overlooked the Townsville Wharves, has been repurposed by leading Queensland Architecture and Interior Design Studio, KP Architects.
The design is a reflection of Townsville’s tropical lifestyle whilst paying homage to the heritage of the Burns Philp & Co. building, the last surviving 19th century warehouse complex along the Ross Creek River and heroes original features throughout the multi-level site, designed to celebrate the rich legacy of the building.
The precinct will create 120 jobs for locals and hopes to attract over 350,000 guests in its first year, injecting approximately $6M back into the local economy*.
The half-an-acre site will also be home to North Queensland’s first floating pontoon bar and tourism hub to revitalise the waterways and increase connectivity between the mainland and tourism hot spots. The overwater restaurant and bar, The Docks will offer a more elevated experience for locals and travellers with a Mediterranean inspired menu where North Queensland’s quality seafood will be reminiscent of an ocean-to-plate like experience.
The pontoon’s tourism hub features two pontoons, operated by local tourism business, Poseidon Adventures. Poseidon Adventures will allow for boat and jet ski tours from the pontoon to Magnetic Island and Cape Cleveland, plus shorter trips up and down the river.
Flinders Street Wharves will officially open to the public on Thursday 11 December 2025 from 6am until midnight. The venue will operate seven days per week, from 6am until 12am Sundays through to Thursdays and 6am until 2am Fridays and Saturdays. The Docks and marine tourism hub will open this summer.
