Australia | Brisbane's Free Observation Deck: Watch the City Turn Golden, Orange, and Slowly Fade into Night.
Brisbane's Sky Deck is the city's newest ‼️FREE observation deck‼️ Located on the 23rd floor of The Star Brisbane in the Queen's Wharf Brisbane precinct, it was developed by the Star Entertainment Group and officially opened to the public in August 2024. Towering 100 meters above the ground, it features a 250-meter-long open-air circular viewing promenade, offering 360-degree panoramic views of the Brisbane River, South Bank, Mt Coot-tha, and Kangaroo Point. Whether you're here for the sunset, the dazzling night views, or just to unwind high above the city, it won't disappoint.
🚶 Transport: Easy walking distance from the CBD
Sky Deck is located at 33 William St, Brisbane City QLD 4000. It's an easy stroll from the city center. Enter via the George Street entrance, follow the purple signs, and take the stairs (do not take the escalator, as it skips a floor and goes straight to the casino). Bear left past the restaurants, then turn right, and you'll spot the dedicated elevators to the Sky Deck. If you're coming from the Neville Bonner Bridge, just follow the purple signs as well.
Elevator tip: You must use the dedicated elevators to access the Sky Deck; there's no alternative route. Expect to wait a little if it's crowded.
🕰️ Opening Hours: Open year-round, extended on weekends
The Sky Deck is a free public space open every day of the year. The hours are:
· Sunday to Thursday: 06:30 – 22:30
· Friday & Saturday: 06:30 – 00:00 (Midnight)
🎟️ Tickets: 100% Free Entry
This is the best part about the Sky Deck—it's completely free! Anyone can stroll in and soak up the spectacular panoramic views of Brisbane.
🌇 Sky Deck Highlights: Magical Sunsets
Highly recommend visiting at sunset. As the sun slowly dips into the Brisbane River, the city lights flicker on one by one, and both the sky and the water change colors—it's absolutely breathtaking.
During the day, you get crystal-clear views of the South Bank Parklands, the Wheel of Brisbane, Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Mt Coot-tha, the Story Bridge, and the winding river. If you visit early in the morning or mid-morning, you can enjoy a more tranquil cityscape.
🪟 Glass Floor: A Heart-Pounding Mid-Air Experience
Right in the middle of the observation deck, there's a transparent glass floor where you can look straight down at the streets and traffic 23 floors below. Walking across it gives you a bit of a thrill, and it makes for some truly unique photos.
🍽️ Dining & Bars: High-Altitude Culinary Delights
The Sky Deck features three restaurants and bars, though you're perfectly welcome to just enjoy the views from the public areas:
· Aloria (Fine Dining): Located on the 23rd floor, specializing in dry-aged beef and Queensland seafood. Advanced bookings are recommended.
· Babblers (All-Day Casual Dining): Perfect for a laid-back brunch or an easy lunch.
· Cicada Blu (Open-Air Bar): The Sky Deck's open-air bar, an absolute vibe for sunset drinks.
💡 Top Tips
1. Sunset is prime time: Catch the daytime views, the sunset, and the city lights all in one go. It's when the Sky Deck looks its most magical.
2. Check the weather: The Sky Deck might close during severe weather conditions.
3. Wear comfortable shoes: The deck covers a large area, so you'll be doing a fair bit of walking.
4. Bring your camera: The 250-meter sky walk and the glass floor are extremely photogenic.
5. Great location: The Sky Deck is super close to other major CBD attractions, making it easy to pair with South Bank Parklands, museums, or the Queen Street Mall for a full day out.
📌 Summary
The Sky Deck is one of those rare spots where you can "own the whole city without spending a dime." Standing on the 250-meter sky walk, with the Brisbane River winding below, the South Bank wheel slowly turning, and Mt Coot-tha standing quietly on the horizon—from the orange-gold skies at sunset to the millions of twinkling lights after dark, this view is worth saving an evening for. If you're looking for the ultimate vantage point to admire Brisbane, be sure to add the Sky Deck to your itinerary.
"Sky Deck: Capture the city's day and night from a 250-meter sky walk." 🩵🌇✨