Read: New Festival Site Approved for Coochin Creek Near Caloundra

The ceremonial sod turning took place within the Stockland Aura masterplanned community, one of Australia’s largest, signalling the project’s move into full construction following early earthworks. Spanning three levels, the venue will feature six bars, indoor and alfresco dining, a gaming room and multiple function spaces, backed by what the Comiskey Group describes as the biggest band room on the Sunshine Coast, with capacity for up to 2,500 guests.

For a region that has long punched above its weight as a live music destination, Aura Hotel represents a step change in scale and ambition. The Comiskey Group already operates Sandstone Point Hotel, Eatons Hill Hotel, Dakabin Hotel and Samford Hotel across south-east Queensland, and is separately developing five-star hotels at North Lakes and Sandstone Point. Aura Hotel is the group’s first major hospitality venue to begin construction on the coast.

Why This Project Is Landing at Aura

The decision to plant a flagship venue inside Australia’s largest masterplanned community was no accident. Stockland Aura already houses more than 10,000 residents, with plans for up to 20,000 new homes and 20,000 on-site jobs on completion. Plans for the future city centre include a regional shopping centre, cinemas, restaurants, cafes, a university campus and a transit centre, positioning the area as one of Queensland’s most significant urban growth corridors.

Comiskey Group Director Rob Comiskey said breaking ground marks a milestone years in the making. “Breaking ground on Aura Hotel is a huge milestone for us and something we’ve been working towards for a long time,” he said. “With the biggest band room on the Sunshine Coast, capable of hosting up to 2,500 guests, we’re delivering a venue that will bring world-class live music to the region in a way that hasn’t been done before. This will be the largest venue on the Sunshine Coast and one of the largest in Australia.”

Comiskey pointed to the group’s track record of attracting major international acts to its existing venues as a signal of what Sunshine Coast audiences can expect. “We’ve hosted artists from Prince to Post Malone across our venues, and Aura Hotel will continue that, bringing major acts closer to home,” he said.

What the Venue Will Look Like

Aura Hotel will anchor the Aura City Centre precinct, backing onto a future five-hectare South Bank-style parkland. The Mediterranean-inspired design emphasises layered textures and indoor-outdoor flow, with the aim of creating an impression from the moment patrons arrive.

“We’ve put a lot of thought into how this venue looks and feels from the moment you arrive,” Comiskey said. “It’s designed to have real impact, from the façade through to every space inside, while still being welcoming, versatile and built for the whole community.”

The project is expected to generate approximately 150 local jobs, and Stockland Aura Project Director Josh Sondergeld said the development strengthens the broader vision for the precinct. “Following the start of construction on the Town Centre, this milestone reinforces Aura as a thriving destination, connecting residents through shared spaces, experiences and amenities, while also attracting visitors to the region,” he said. “Positioned alongside the future Aura Parklands and connected to surrounding neighbourhoods by extensive walking and cycling pathways, the hotel will play a key role in activating the 100-hectare Aura City Centre.”

A Growing Footprint on the Sunshine Coast

Aura Hotel is not the Comiskey Group’s only Sunshine Coast investment. Just 10 minutes from the Aura site, the group is also developing Coochin Fields, a 155-hectare outdoor festival site approved earlier this year, adding to what is shaping up as a significant entertainment corridor between Caloundra and the broader Sunshine Coast hinterland.

Together, the two projects signal the group’s confidence in the region’s capacity to support large-scale, premium live music and hospitality experiences. For Sunshine Coast residents who have historically had to travel to Brisbane to catch major touring acts, that shift is a meaningful one.

Aura Hotel is scheduled to open in late 2027. For more information about the Comiskey Group and its upcoming projects, visit comiskey.com.au.

Read: Eco-Tourism Park for Coochin Creek Gets Green Light

Published 10-April-2026

The post Comiskey Group Breaks Ground on Aura Hotel, the Sunshine Coast’s Biggest Entertainment Venue appeared first on Buderim Today.

Read: Nook Collective: A Game-Changer for Working Parents on the Sunshine Coast

Mount Beerwah Faces Potential Closure Amid Virtual Climb Proposals

Recent internal communications and community discussions have brought new focus to Mount Beerwah. Documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveal that Queensland National Parks officials had been considering a staged approach that might eventually restrict physical access to the summit. The plan would see traditional climbs replaced by a simulator experience using drone technology.

Proposed Changes and Government Response

A draft of the proposed detailed management plan for the project was initiated in July 2022. The proposed measures include the permanent closure of Mount Beerwah along with other nearby peaks, with seasonal closures and alternative virtual experiences in place of physical ascents. In response, Queensland Environment Minister Andrew Powell later stated that there are “categorically” no current plans to permanently close the mountain, clarifying that any discussions on this subject occurred under the previous Labor government.

Community Concerns and FOI Efforts

The group Save Our Summits has been adamantly against any move that might restrict access to Mount Beerwah. Locals have shared their stories and positive memories of their climbs, emphasizing the mountain’s cultural and recreational value. One participant praised the area’s unique animals and natural beauty while mentioning a memorable hike that took place six years earlier. The organization has submitted a Freedom of Information request to the Queensland National Parks Service in response to these worries. They are demanding transparency on measures that would affect not only Mount Beerwah but also adjacent summits like Mount Tibrogargan.

Read: Remembering Christopher Eccles: Nambour’s Bold and Colourful Artist

A Community United

Local voices are coming together to preserve their right to climb and enjoy the natural environment of the Glass House Mountains. The community asserts that preserving these iconic summits is important to keep local customs alive for generations to come. The controversy brews as residents and climbers call for a fair solution that maintains cultural values without completely denying access to the public.

Published 26-February-2025

The post Mount Beerwah Faces Potential Closure Over Cultural Concerns appeared first on Buderim Today.