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About the Cairns Convention Centre upgrade

The Cairns Convention Centre is undergoing a $176 million expansion and refurbishment to:

  • maximise the centre’s capabilities
  • modernise the facilities
  • bring new business to the tropical north.

The expansion will support ongoing employment opportunities in hospitality, logistics, security and maintenance.

This $176 million investment expects to leverage around 20,000 additional visitors to the region, injecting up to $50 million into the local economy annually.

The Cairns Convention Centre will officially re-open bigger and better than ever with forecast completion in 2022.

What’s changing

Built in two stages in 1996 and 2000, the distinctive convention centre was the second major Queensland project for Cox Architecture’s Brisbane studio (then Cox Rayner Architects) after the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

The centre closed in April 2020 to allow for the replacement of the roof, air conditioning and amenities upgrades, and general refurbishment work.

The upgraded centre will have facilities to cater for multiple functions, helping the city to attract new conferences and events of even greater sizes and complexity.

The project also involves significant refurbishment of the existing facilities and major services upgrades.

The 10,500 sqm expansion includes a large undercover, tropically planted drop-off and entry forecourt, an expanded main entry lobby, a 410-seat plenary lecture space, three 120-seat meeting rooms, exhibition space for up to 30 display booths, a 500 seat rooftop banqueting space and sky terrace with spectacular views over Trinity Inlet.

See the design of the new centre.

Supporting Queensland locals

This $176 million investment in Cairns is expected to provide 570 full time jobs during construction.

The project is being carried out by Managing Contractor Lendlease in line with the Buy Queensland approach to ensure suppliers to government meet best practice principles.

Find out more about how the project is supporting Queenslanders.

Find out more

Email CairnsConventionCentre@hpw.qld.gov.au for more information about the project.

If you're a local sub-contractor or supplier and want to know more about the EOI process:

Last updated: 
23 December 2020