The Wait Is Almost Over: Townsville’s Flinders Street Wharves Are Set To Open This December
Kayla Wratten
Freelance Sub-Editor | Urban List Townsville
Just in time for the silly season, Townsville’s about to crank up the good times with the long-awaited opening of Flinders Street Wharves—a $30 million dining and entertainment mecca that’s set to redefine the city’s social scene.
Swinging open its doors on 11 December 2025, the waterfront hub has taken over the historic Burns Philp & Co. building at 108 Flinders Street—the last 19th-century warehouse complex along Ross Creek. Designed by Brisbane-based KP Architects, the half-acre site pays homage to its heritage while embracing Townsville’s tropical lifestyle. Expect original brickwork and timber beams alongside swaying palms, striped umbrellas and plenty of open-air spaces that make the most of those waterfront views.
Image credit: Flinders Street Wharves | Supplied
Across two buzzing levels you’ll find six distinct venues, each with its own personality to take you from your morning flat white to rooftop cocktails under the stars.
At the water’s edge, The Kiosk will be your go-to for all-day coffee, grab-and-go bites and classic fry-ups with prime riverfront views. The Beer Garden brings alfresco dining in a casual setting—think timber tables and tropical greenery—that’s ideal for long lunches or sundowners. Inside, The Bistro pairs warm interiors with an all-rounder menu: locally-sourced seafood, woodfired pizzas and all your pub faves.
Hop lovers will want to settle in at Merchants Bar, where exposed brick, copper finishes and an impressive wall of 108 beer taps nod to the building’s historic roots. For something more exclusive, The Dining Room offers a private setting for up to 16 guests—perfect for special occasions. Capping it all off, The Rooftop delivers panoramic views across Townsville’s skyline and waterfront, complete with festoon lighting and live music that guarantees to keep the good times rolling after dark.
Image credit: Flinders Street Wharves | Supplied
But that’s not all. Opening this summer, The Docks—North Queensland’s first floating pontoon bar—will serve Mediterranean-inspired fare on the river. Operated in partnership with local tourism business Poseidon Adventures, it doubles as a marine tourism hub offering boat and jet ski tours to Magnetic Island, Cape Cleveland and beyond.
Turns out, Townsville’s not just turning heads with its new waterfront digs—the whole region’s on the rise. In 2024, overnight visitor spending jumped 10.3% to a cool $1.2 billion, with visitor numbers up more than 22%. With more travellers (and new locals) heading north for the sunshine, the lifestyle and now, the eats, it’s clear Townsville’s having a major moment. Flinders Street Wharves couldn’t be opening at a better time.
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