25 September 2025: Tourism & Events Moreton Bay has welcomed today’s announcement of a new hotel in North Lakes, marking another significant milestone in the region’s tourism growth.
The project joins two other major tourism infrastructure developments recently announced in Moreton Bay, further highlighting the region’s role in addressing Queensland’s critical shortage of hotel accommodation ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Comiskey Group today confirmed the North Lakes development, which will include a 130-room five-star hotel alongside a dining and tourism precinct.
This follows Comiskey Group’s $250 million Sandstone Point project, set to deliver 200 new rooms, and Mandala Resorts’ $4 million refurbishment of the 51-room Clear Mountain Lodge, which will be rebranded as a five-star Peppers retreat. Together, these announcements add 401 rooms to the region’s supply, contributing to the goal of reaching 1,500 new rooms by 2032.
“The Moreton Bay region is perfectly positioned alongside Brisbane to offer a solution to the city’s accommodation shortage ahead of the Games. From Redcliffe north to Bribie Island and west to Samford Valley, we are witnessing a maturing of the region’s tourism industry. More people are travelling here, and that confidence is reflected in these recent investment announcements,” said Luke Edwards, CEO of Tourism & Events Moreton Bay.
Latest data shows that the Moreton Bay region welcomes 3.9 million visitors annually. Of these, one in four become overnight guests, contributing to 5.2 million overnight stays each year. The region also attracts 4 million people annually who travel at least 50 kilometres for a day-long experience of four hours or more.
“We are seeing growth from nearby drive markets and interstate travellers who are adding Moreton Bay to their Brisbane itineraries. Internationally, awareness is increasing across New Zealand and Southeast Asia, where we are pursuing opportunities through recent trade activity and marketing partnerships, including an upcoming Expedia campaign in New Zealand. We also know American travellers are seeking the value the USD offers in Australia, alongside the safe and welcoming experience Moreton Bay delivers,” Edwards said.
Today’s announcement comes off the back of Tourism Research Australia releasing their latest data yesterday which showed international visitor expenditure reached a record $6.9 billion in the year ending June 2025, with Queensland welcoming 2.2 million visitors from overseas. Recently, Brisbane Airport reported sustained growth, with overall passenger numbers in August 2025 up 4.2% compared with August 2024. Domestic travel rose 1.8% year-on-year, supported by a 4.6% increase in airline capacity. This rising demand underscores the urgency for additional accommodation across South East Queensland.
Currently, SE Queensland offers just 46,000 hotel rooms, compared with 120,000 in Los Angeles and 133,000 in Paris. Even with committed developments, Queensland’s hotel room inventory is forecast to reach only 51,000 by 2030 – falling significantly short of expected demand from major events and global visitation.
“Accommodation growth is one of the most pressing challenges for Queensland as we prepare for Brisbane 2032. Moreton Bay is proud to be part of the solution. With three major tourism projects now underway, our region is demonstrating both confidence and capacity to meet future demand,” Edwards said.
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