One of Queensland’s biggest privately owned pub groups, Steven Shoobridge’s Star Group, has snapped up a $24 million hotel in Rockhampton, the latest addition to a fast-growing portfolio of hotels, many of them in the state’s north.

Born at Tully in northern Queensland and armed with a Harvard Business School education, Shoobridge has led a rapid expansion of Star. Majority owned by Shoobridge, Star boasts 53 venues, more than 115 retail liquor outlets and six accommodation hubs.