Construction on the Sunshine Coast’s “largest hotel and music venue” has been given the green light following the property settlement at Stockland Aura last week.

Works on the $45 million Aura Hotel will soon commence, with the project’s completion expected in 2026.

From the owners of Eatons Hill Hotel, Sandstone Point Hotel, The Doonan, and Imperial Hotel, the new “mega venue” is expected to bring world-class talent to Caloundra.

Speaking on location over the weekend, Comiskey Group director Rob Comiskey said the pub and music venue would be a “big bastard”.

“It’s going to be a big pub, it’s got a big music venue in it… it’s huge,” Rob says.

“It has a massive 90,000sqm shopping centre next door to us, and a big beer garden out the back that rolls into what they call People’s Place which is like South Bank.

“There’s not much here at the moment, but oh my god… This place is (going to be) an absolute monster.

“(Aura) is like North Lakes on steroids; so it’s about twice the size of North Lakes.

“It’s going to be a pretty awesome pub and I cant wait to start building it.”

Caloundra set to reign as Coast’s music capital

Aura Hotel isn’t the only venue set to bring a musical and economic boom to the Caloundra region.

The Comiskey Group received developmental approval for a large holiday resort and 150-hectare festival-site at Coochin Creek last year (pictured).

The ‘Coachella‘-style site – called Coochin Fields – will be 10 minutes from Aura Hotel, bringing an expected annual $60 million to the local economy.

The two new developments will join Caloundra music venue heavyweights Kings Beach Tavern, Norton Music Factory and The Events Centre.

With the nearby Sunshine Coast Stadium and The Station, both in Birtinya, also attracting major artists, including British drum and bass act Rudimental, the area is set to remain as the Coast’s entertainment capital.

“We’re excited to create a thriving epicentre of entertainment for the Coast and bring something really special to this already innovative and unique community,” Rob says.

Buderim musician and high school teacher Drew Wilson welcomed the Comiskey venues.

“Having new world-class facilities on the Coast, that will hopefully attract world-class artists, can only be a positive for local musicians and fans,” Drew says.

Venue to attract a ‘revolving door of talent’

The Comiskey Group’s award-winning venues have hosted international stars including; Prince, Post Malone (pictured), Khalid, Joan Jett, Ice Cube, Good Charlotte and Bryan Adams.

Sandstone Point Hotel will host Lookout Festival in February, with the likes of Grinspoon, JET and The Veronicas.

They plan to bring similar musical icons to Aura Hotel.

Capable of hosting 2500 punters, the venue will offer both “epic” and “intimate” shows.

“We’ve had artists from Prince to Post Malone play at our venues, every genre, for every demographic,” Rob says.

“Aura Hotel will also see a revolving door of talent, bringing big acts closer to home for those residing on the Coast.

“We are already thinking about the live music experience, meticulously planning the design of the live band room and world-class production.”

The music venue will boast a world-class PA and lighting system, band room, and mezzanine level.

The hotel feature internal and alfresco dining areas, six bars, a gaming room, and function spaces.

Aura a ‘natural fit’ for Comiskey’s latest pub venture

“We have the largest entertainment offering in the Moreton Bay region and felt it only natural to expand into the neighbouring Sunshine Coast,” Rob says.

“South East Queensland is where we were born and raised. We are passionate about bringing premium experiences to locations rich with opportunity in this thriving state.”

Comiskey entertainment director Jono Jackson says Aura Hotel (pictured) and Coochin Fields are a much-needed addition to the region.

“The Coast offers an incredible lifestyle and it is an exceptional place to visit, but we saw a gap in the market in terms of live music venues.

“The region’s ongoing population growth creates demand for premium production opportunities locally.”

Cinemas and an urban uni also on the cards for Aura

Stockland Aura is Australia’s largest master-planned community, just 10 minutes from Caloundra.

Aura is being constructed over three decades and will cost in upwards of $5 billion to complete, eventually housing 50,000 residents.

Aptly described as “the city of colour”, the town will feature parks, bicycle and walking paths, public amenities, retailers, and an environmental conservation network.

The town centre will also include cinemas, restaurants, cafes, medical facilities, an urban university campus, private schools, transit centre, and vibrant public spaces.