Flagstaff Hill Cultural & Conference Centre

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Consultation has concluded

Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre aerial


Flagstaff Hill is Bowen’s premier lookout, providing 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands, Coral Sea and Bowen hinterland.


Latest News

Construction was completed at the end of October 2021, with the Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre officially opened on Friday 29 October by Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox.

Council has called for Expressions of Interest for commercial opportunities, including the café, with more information available on our e-tender platform.

Bowen’s newest conference and event space, the Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre, has a new lease on life.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said Flagstaff Hill was an iconic destination for residents and visitors, and the rebuild would deliver a significant boost to the existing visitor offerings in Bowen.

“Flagstaff Hill provides 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands, Coral Sea and Bowen hinterland,” he said.

“The centre can cater for up to 200 patrons and is located next to a walking trail and lookout which informs visitors about the impact and legacy of our Indigenous community.”


Background

In 2017, the existing café on Flagstaff Hill was badly damaged as a result of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie. After finding the building was unsuitable for repair it was demolished in 2019 and concepts were developed for the new building.  

The project redeveloped the previous restaurant on Flagstaff Hill and provides a new tourism venue which will deliver cultural tourism activities and events.

The building caters for up to 200 patrons, containing a café, kitchen, gift shop and an amphitheatre. With sections of floor to ceiling glass, the new building will showcase the spectacular 360-degree views.

The new Flagstaff Hill and Conference Centre is funded by Whitsunday Regional Council, the Queensland Government's Building Our Regions program and the jointly funded Queensland and Australian Governments’ Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure Program as part of the recovery measures for the region post ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.



Flagstaff Hill is Bowen’s premier lookout, providing 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands, Coral Sea and Bowen hinterland.


Latest News

Construction was completed at the end of October 2021, with the Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre officially opened on Friday 29 October by Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe and Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Willcox.

Council has called for Expressions of Interest for commercial opportunities, including the café, with more information available on our e-tender platform.

Bowen’s newest conference and event space, the Flagstaff Hill Cultural and Conference Centre, has a new lease on life.

Mayor Andrew Willcox said Flagstaff Hill was an iconic destination for residents and visitors, and the rebuild would deliver a significant boost to the existing visitor offerings in Bowen.

“Flagstaff Hill provides 360-degree views of the Whitsunday Islands, Coral Sea and Bowen hinterland,” he said.

“The centre can cater for up to 200 patrons and is located next to a walking trail and lookout which informs visitors about the impact and legacy of our Indigenous community.”


Background

In 2017, the existing café on Flagstaff Hill was badly damaged as a result of Ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie. After finding the building was unsuitable for repair it was demolished in 2019 and concepts were developed for the new building.  

The project redeveloped the previous restaurant on Flagstaff Hill and provides a new tourism venue which will deliver cultural tourism activities and events.

The building caters for up to 200 patrons, containing a café, kitchen, gift shop and an amphitheatre. With sections of floor to ceiling glass, the new building will showcase the spectacular 360-degree views.

The new Flagstaff Hill and Conference Centre is funded by Whitsunday Regional Council, the Queensland Government's Building Our Regions program and the jointly funded Queensland and Australian Governments’ Tourism Demand Driver Infrastructure Program as part of the recovery measures for the region post ex-Tropical Cyclone Debbie.


Consultation has concluded

Do you have a question about these works? The project team will get back to you as soon as possible.

  • Share Can't believe Council waited until the day before the official opening to call for EOI for the commercial operators????? Can this really be true???? Unbelievable!!!!! And where is the Flagstaff? And..... 360 deg views are only(still) available from outside the building. How is this "Cultural"? on Facebook Share Can't believe Council waited until the day before the official opening to call for EOI for the commercial operators????? Can this really be true???? Unbelievable!!!!! And where is the Flagstaff? And..... 360 deg views are only(still) available from outside the building. How is this "Cultural"? on Twitter Share Can't believe Council waited until the day before the official opening to call for EOI for the commercial operators????? Can this really be true???? Unbelievable!!!!! And where is the Flagstaff? And..... 360 deg views are only(still) available from outside the building. How is this "Cultural"? on Linkedin Email Can't believe Council waited until the day before the official opening to call for EOI for the commercial operators????? Can this really be true???? Unbelievable!!!!! And where is the Flagstaff? And..... 360 deg views are only(still) available from outside the building. How is this "Cultural"? link

    Can't believe Council waited until the day before the official opening to call for EOI for the commercial operators????? Can this really be true???? Unbelievable!!!!! And where is the Flagstaff? And..... 360 deg views are only(still) available from outside the building. How is this "Cultural"?

    Peter and Kaye Nelson-Davis asked about 3 years ago

    Hi Peter and Kaye Nelson-Davis,

    Thank you for your feedback. Flagstaff Hill is the geographical location name and there is no requirement to have a flag at the new facility. There are fantastic views from inside the new building, which has floor-to-ceiling glass in both the café space and conference centre. 

    Flagstaff Hill is an important cultural site for the Juru people, who are the traditional owners, and this has been incorporated into the design of the facility. There is an outdoor ampitheatre which doubles as a yarning circle, and a bush tucker trail around the site. The new Flagstaff Hill Cultural & Conference Centre will be able to deliver cultural tourism products, activities and events.

    Thanks, WRC Team

  • Share Can you tell m when the cafe might reopen. We are visiting the area and would like to revisit on Facebook Share Can you tell m when the cafe might reopen. We are visiting the area and would like to revisit on Twitter Share Can you tell m when the cafe might reopen. We are visiting the area and would like to revisit on Linkedin Email Can you tell m when the cafe might reopen. We are visiting the area and would like to revisit link

    Can you tell m when the cafe might reopen. We are visiting the area and would like to revisit

    Lynandgarth asked about 3 years ago

    Hi Lynandgarth,

    Thanks for your enquiry. The building construction is now completed and we have released an Expression of Interest for the café tenancy. 

    Thanks,

    WRC Team


  • Share Upon completion of this project, WRC will be responsible for an increase in vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic from town to the site. Would it be WRC's duty of care to provide adequate and safe access via a pedestrian/cycle track from the round about to the Flagstaff turn off? This road is narrow and already dangerous for existing foot and bicycle traffic. I see that in the Bowen Masterplan there is a plan to create such access, however, the delivery date is some years after the Flagstaff Hill completion date. I request that WRC considers at least a temporary track is created until funding is sourced for a proper jobby. on Facebook Share Upon completion of this project, WRC will be responsible for an increase in vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic from town to the site. Would it be WRC's duty of care to provide adequate and safe access via a pedestrian/cycle track from the round about to the Flagstaff turn off? This road is narrow and already dangerous for existing foot and bicycle traffic. I see that in the Bowen Masterplan there is a plan to create such access, however, the delivery date is some years after the Flagstaff Hill completion date. I request that WRC considers at least a temporary track is created until funding is sourced for a proper jobby. on Twitter Share Upon completion of this project, WRC will be responsible for an increase in vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic from town to the site. Would it be WRC's duty of care to provide adequate and safe access via a pedestrian/cycle track from the round about to the Flagstaff turn off? This road is narrow and already dangerous for existing foot and bicycle traffic. I see that in the Bowen Masterplan there is a plan to create such access, however, the delivery date is some years after the Flagstaff Hill completion date. I request that WRC considers at least a temporary track is created until funding is sourced for a proper jobby. on Linkedin Email Upon completion of this project, WRC will be responsible for an increase in vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic from town to the site. Would it be WRC's duty of care to provide adequate and safe access via a pedestrian/cycle track from the round about to the Flagstaff turn off? This road is narrow and already dangerous for existing foot and bicycle traffic. I see that in the Bowen Masterplan there is a plan to create such access, however, the delivery date is some years after the Flagstaff Hill completion date. I request that WRC considers at least a temporary track is created until funding is sourced for a proper jobby. link

    Upon completion of this project, WRC will be responsible for an increase in vehicle, bicycle and foot traffic from town to the site. Would it be WRC's duty of care to provide adequate and safe access via a pedestrian/cycle track from the round about to the Flagstaff turn off? This road is narrow and already dangerous for existing foot and bicycle traffic. I see that in the Bowen Masterplan there is a plan to create such access, however, the delivery date is some years after the Flagstaff Hill completion date. I request that WRC considers at least a temporary track is created until funding is sourced for a proper jobby.

    Boatchick asked over 3 years ago

    Hi Boatchick,

    Thank you for your suggestion. The footpath is not currently funded but will be considered in future budgets. 

    Thanks, WRC Team

  • Share What is happening with this project ? on Facebook Share What is happening with this project ? on Twitter Share What is happening with this project ? on Linkedin Email What is happening with this project ? link

    What is happening with this project ?

    CCA asked almost 4 years ago

    Hi CCA, The final design will be presented to Council for adoption in the next few weeks, and construction is expected to begin soon afterwards.

    Thanks, WRC Team

  • Share Is the design of the new building available to view? on Facebook Share Is the design of the new building available to view? on Twitter Share Is the design of the new building available to view? on Linkedin Email Is the design of the new building available to view? link

    Is the design of the new building available to view?

    Mark.I asked almost 4 years ago

    Hi Mark, the design will be available to view soon, once it is presented to Council for adoption. It is expected this will occur in the next few weeks.

    Thanks, WRC Team

  • Share When will the road to flagstaff hill be opened. It’s a shame we cannot continue to use this site whilst this process of tender is being completed. on Facebook Share When will the road to flagstaff hill be opened. It’s a shame we cannot continue to use this site whilst this process of tender is being completed. on Twitter Share When will the road to flagstaff hill be opened. It’s a shame we cannot continue to use this site whilst this process of tender is being completed. on Linkedin Email When will the road to flagstaff hill be opened. It’s a shame we cannot continue to use this site whilst this process of tender is being completed. link

    When will the road to flagstaff hill be opened. It’s a shame we cannot continue to use this site whilst this process of tender is being completed.

    John Vidulin asked almost 4 years ago

    Hi John,

    Thank you for your query. The road was recently upgraded and widened by WRC, and reopened to the public this week.

    Thanks, WRC Team