Business
4 July, 2025
Up there Cazalys Northside
Cazalys has revealed its $20 million plans for the Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park property it bought late last year. Cazalys Northside will be focused on family entertainment with children's play areas inside and out. Work on upgrading the property at Smithfield is expected to start in 12 months for a projected opening in July 2027. The artist's impression shows a tropical lifestyle design with lots of greenery and shaded areas.
CAZALYS Cairns has unveiled $20 million plans for a landmark new venue at Smithfield, set to transform the long dormant Tjapukai Aboriginal Cultural Park site into a vibrant, family-friendly community hub.
Cazalys Cairns general manager Jason Wale said the proposed development – to be known as Cazalys Northside – would deliver a relaxed hospitality precinct designed for locals and visitors, blending a café, restaurant, sports bar, children’s play areas and lush outdoor spaces into one dynamic venue.
“This isn’t just about opening another club, it is about creating a place where the whole community can come together,” he said.
“We’ve listened to what families in the northern suburbs want: a safe, modern venue where parents can unwind, kids can play and everyone feels welcome. That’s exactly what Northside will deliver.”
He said it was clear that people of the Northern Beaches wanted a venue that offered family entertainment as well as good dining and cafe options.
Mr Wale said there would be a “massive” children’s area and the property had lots of outside space for that as well.
He said the venue’s design reflected Cairns’ tropical lifestyle, with open-air dining, interactive play zones and shaded terraces overlooking the lagoon and rainforest hills. Located adjacent to Skyrail and other tourism drawcards, Northside is set to become a new destination for both residents and visitors.
Mr Wale said he expected construction over 14 months to start in about July, 2026, taking into account the weather and the Christmas and New Year break, with an opening date of about July 2027.
He said the redevelopment plan was currently before the Cairns Regional Council.
The club has allowed $20 million for the redesign and rebuild on top of the $10m to buy the property.
Mr Wale said the aim was to use local contractors and subbies as Cazalys had done in the past with many other projects at its clubs.
“Our primary goal is to use local contractors but we need people who will be available to do the work,” he said.
The project will go to tender as soon as council approvals and design work were completed, Mr Wale said.
He said Northside would create more than 120 new jobs and contribute nearly $20m annually to the local economy, all while reactivating a culturally significant site with respect and care.
Mr Wale said it was what happened behind the bar that truly set Cazalys apart.
“Every dollar we make gets reinvested into the community,” he said.
“For decades we’ve backed grassroots sport, upgraded facilities and helped build stronger, healthier communities across the region. Northside will continue that tradition.”
