Changed
Changed
In the past 30 years, Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal has seen it all – joyful arrivals, tearful goodbyes, and the quiet hum of wanderlust before take-off.
As we celebrate 100 years since Brisbane’s aviation journey began, we’re also honouring the International Terminal’s 30th anniversary, and are looking back at how it came to be, and the ways it continues to evolve as our city grows.
Whether welcoming A-listers or first-time flyers, the International Terminal has become a gateway to the world.
A new era for international travel
In the decades following World War II, Brisbane’s international air traffic steadily grew – but it became increasingly clear that the facilities at Eagle Farm couldn’t keep up with demand. Space constraints limited expansion of the existing buildings and runways, and the jet age brought with it larger aircraft and higher volumes of travellers.
By the 1970s, the decision was made to expand the airfield out toward Moreton Bay and shift the runway and terminal operations north. This location offered space for a wide-spaced parallel runway system, future expansions, and a dedicated International Terminal.
Construction of the $240 million terminal began in 1993, with a target opening two years later. In a rare feat for large-scale infrastructure projects, it was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget. On 5 September 1995, then Prime Minister Paul Keating officially opened the terminal to the public.
The terminal set a new standard for Brisbane – featuring eight aerobridges, 140,000 square metres of aircraft apron, and facilities to accommodate 2,000 cars and 70 buses. The terminal itself featured 42,000 square metres of profiled steel decking and 55 hectares of landscaped gardens – a nod to Queensland’s natural tropical beauty.
The first impression of Brisbane
Airports are the first and last impression people have of a city, and a country, and have the power to shape a traveller’s entire experience. For many, Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal is where their journey begins and where lasting memories are made.
Designed to celebrate and reflect the Queensland lifestyle in a contemporary and sophisticated building, the terminal’s architecture embraces natural light and open spaces. Whilst airport terminals must always balance functionality and security, the best also showcase what makes a destination memorable. The goal with Brisbane Airport’s International terminal, from it opening and through numerous interior upgrades, has been to create spaces that feel welcoming, fresh, distinctly local, and undeniably Brisbane.
The people, places and energy of Brisbane and Queensland are reflected in subtle but intentional ways, from subtropical greenery woven throughout the terminal and iconic Brisbane tuff stone, to the casual gathering spaces that mirror the outdoor lifestyle locals know so well.
Placemaking played a central role in the design, anchoring the airport experience to a real and tangible sense of place. From ‘The Green’ that sits at the heart of the departures lounge, surrounded by timber seating and gardens, the design brings Brisbane’s subtropical feel indoors – encouraging travellers to slow down, linger, and enjoy the space. The terminal’s layout was intended to transform the passenger’s waiting time into me-time – creating an environment to shop, work, rest, eat, or simply take in their surroundings.
Another standout feature of a building filled with significant large scale art, is the 750 metre long ‘sensory hug’ artwork by the celebrated artist, the late Sally Gabori. As the first impression of Australia for passengers arriving in Brisbane, this exhilarating work by one of Australia’s great Indigenous artists, welcomes travellers with a deep sense of place and cultural connection.
Environmental sustainability was also a key consideration, with material choices and construction techniques selected to reduce maintenance and minimise impact. Locally sourced Brisbane tuff – a volcanic stone closely tied to the city’s landscape and public architecture – was incorporated into the design, grounding the terminal in its sense of place while reinforcing durability and low environmental impact.
In every detail, the International Terminal offers more than function – it offers a feeling. One that travellers take with them, long after their journey begins.
From the big screen to the boarding lounge
Brisbane Airport’s International Terminal has played many roles – including a starring one on the big a small screen. With its contemporary design and open walkways, it’s been the backdrop for major Hollywood productions like Dora The Explorer, Young Rock, Thirteen Lives, and Ticket to Paradise, starring Julia Roberts and George Clooney.
Behind the redevelopment
The International Terminal has never been static. Over the past three decades, it has been upgraded, expanded, and reimagined to keep pace with Brisbane’s growth and the evolving expectations of global travellers.
In 2014, a $45 million redevelopment project modernised the retail and food offerings, streamlining passenger movement and enhancing the overall travel experience. By 2018, a further $120 million investment delivered new boarding zones, additional aircraft parking bays, and walk-out gates – a critical step in shaping the future of international travel for Brisbane.
The next chapter
As part of the broader Future BNE $5 billion transformation, the International Terminal is undergoing a dramatic revamp. Plans include upgraded security screening equipment, new retail experiences.
As we mark 30 years since the International Terminal first opened its doors, it’s clear the terminal is busier – and more important – than ever. In the past year alone, Brisbane Airport has added 10 new international routes, reconnecting the city to key destinations across Asia, the Pacific and beyond. Passenger numbers are soaring too, with international traffic climbing 39% compared to the previous year – and even setting new monthly records along the way.
This growth isn’t just good news for travellers – it’s a sign of Brisbane’s rising global profile. More people are flying into the city for business, leisure, and everything in between. And as we look to the future, the International Terminal will continue to play a central role – not just in how we travel, but in how we welcome the world to Queensland.