Brisbane’s push to become a true River City has taken a major step forward, with Brisbane City Council opening up its network of river hubs, pontoons and jetties for new tourism and lifestyle experiences.
Through its “Unlock Our River Access Network” initiative, Council has identified 11 locations across the Brisbane River for potential commercial activation, including river hubs at New Farm Park and the City Botanic Gardens, recreation hubs at Murarrie, Northshore Hamilton and West End, and pontoons at key inner-city locations.
These sites will now be made available for tourism operators looking to deliver new experiences on the water.
From floating dining and river tours to wellness experiences and water taxis, the initiative is expected to unlock a new wave of activity along the Brisbane River in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Raptis Investments Head of Leasing Arthur Raptis said the move was a significant and welcome step for the industry.
“This is exactly the kind of initiative Brisbane needs,” Mr Raptis said.
“For too long, the river has been underutilised as a tourism asset. Opening up these hubs and pontoons creates real opportunities for operators to bring new experiences to life and for visitors to engage with the city in a completely different way.”
However, Mr Raptis said the success of the initiative would ultimately depend on ensuring operators have access to the right supporting infrastructure.
“These sites are ideal for pick-up and drop-off and short-term activation, but the majority of operators still need a secure, long-term base for their vessels,” he said.
“That’s where Colmslie Wharves comes in. It provides the essential back-end infrastructure – overnight berthing, servicing, provisioning and waste management – that will allow operators to run sustainable, scalable businesses.”
Located just 9 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, Colmslie Wharves is being developed as a dedicated commercial marina to support vessels operating across both the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.
Arthur said the combination of public access infrastructure and private commercial facilities would be a powerful force for Brisbane’s marine tourism potential.
“The Council’s river hubs and pontoons create the front-end customer experience, while Colmslie Wharves provides the operational backbone behind the scenes,” he said.
“Together, they form a complete ecosystem that will allow Brisbane’s marine tourism industry to grow and mature.”
With construction now underway and berths leasing, Colmslie Wharves is positioned to support the next generation of river-based experiences as the city prepares for a decade of growth and global attention.
To find out more about leasing opportunities, click here.
