Easter long weekend saved as lockdown lifted
With the Greater Brisbane lockdown lifting, venues are throwing open their doors and those looking for a last-minute Easter getaway can still find accommodation – but spots are disappearing fast. SEE OUR LIST
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Queenslanders should get in quick if they want to squeeze in a last-minute Easter long weekend away with bookings still available across the southeast.
But accommodation is being snapped up fast.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced lockdown restrictions would be lifted from midday.
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This morning, more than 250 hotels and accommodation had places to stay on Booking.com for the long weekend in the Brisbane CBD.
With prices varying from $128 to $4000 for four nights, Brisbane locals could enjoy a last-minute staycation, or travellers would be welcomed into the city.
Up to 80 per cent of accommodation on the Gold Coast was unavailable at 9.30am, but up to 200 properties remained open for booking at varying prices.
On the Sunshine Coast, 93 per cent of properties were booked before 9.30am, but up to 100 places could still be booked.
It comes as struggling businesses impacted by the snap three-day lockdown call on the State Government for relief packages to help them recover.
While the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland has welcomed an end to the lockdown, small and medium businesses are bracing for $12,000 to $65,000 losses following this week.
The peak body is urging the government to introduce a COVID-19 Hotspot Recovery Package, which would provide grants to affected businesses.
“Now is the time for targeted support for businesses to cover their losses,” CCIQ general manager of advocacy and policy Amanda Rohan said.
“This could be a mechanism similar to the disaster recovery arrangement that exists when environmental disasters hit our state, a diverse range of funding release measures including financial assistance.
“Businesses don’t have a safety net anymore, which will be an ongoing issue until Queensland’s vaccination program rolls out or businesses in hotspot locations will no longer be restricted in their ability to trade.”
Ms Rohan said clear communication of expectations and requirements for businesses was essential.
It comes after the government came under fire for not providing an update to businesses last night ahead of the lockdown announcement today.
Brisbane pubs are also gearing up for business, with many throwing their doors open at lunchtime.
Kangaroo Point’s Pineapple Hotel will open from 12pm today, with new rules in place.
“We still need all guests to sign in at the front door on arrival, all guests to wear masks in and around the hotel, all guests to be seated when eating and drinking,” they wrote on social media.
Patrons can take off their masks at the venue once seated.
The Paddington Tavern will also open their bar and gaming facilities from noon, as well as Brewhouse Brisbane in Woolloongabba.
The Victory Hotel will reopen their TAB and Pokies but the kitchen will remain closed until Saturday.
From 1pm Breakfast Creek Hotel will swing their doors open to patrons, also with their kitchen closed.
Shelter bar at the Story Bridge Hotel will open at midday, while they still offer takeaway options.
Award-winning Brisbane restaurant E’cco Bistro are keeping doors shut today, but have announced they would open on Good Friday and Easter Saturday for lunch and dinner.
Massimo Restaurant and Bar will open for dinner at 5.30pm today.
“The Greater Brisbane lockdown lifts at 12 noon today but masks must be carried with you when you leave home, and wear it in indoor venues until April 15th,” they wrote on social media.
At popular Brisbane dining precinct Howard Smith Wharves, Ciao Papi, Felons Brewing Co., Felons Barrel Hall and Mr Percival’s will be reopening from 3pm today.
Fortitude Valley Japanese restaurant Wagaya Brisbane will also open for dinner.
Venues opening today and over Easter
THE PINEAPPLE HOTEL
706 Main St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169
Open 12pm Thursday
THE PADDINGTON TAVERN
186 Given Terrace, Paddington QLD 4064
Open 12pm Thursday
BREWHOUSE BRISBANE
601 Stanley St, Woolloongabba QLD 4102
Open 12pm Thursday
THE VICTORY HOTEL
127 Upper Edward St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 12pm Thursday
BREAKFAST CREEK HOTEL
2 Kingsford Smith Dr, Albion QLD 4010
Open 12pm Thursday
STORY BRIDGE HOTEL
200 Main St, Kangaroo Point QLD 4169
Open 12pm Thursday
CACTUS JACK’S REDCLIFFE
165 Redcliffe Parade, Redcliffe QLD 4020
Open 12pm Thursday
THE THAI ORCHID SPRINGWOOD
3374 Pacific Hwy, Springwood QLD 4127
Open 12pm Thursday
ORION HOTEL
1 Main St, Springfield Central QLD 4300
Open 12pm Thursday
MIZU RESTAURANT TENERIFFE
2 Macquarie St, Newstead QLD 4005
Open 12pm Thursday
THE PANCAKE MANOR
18 Charlotte St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 12pm Thursday
THE GOLDEN PIG
38 Ross St, Newstead QLD 4006
Open 5pm Thursday
E’CCO BISTRO
shop 8/63 Skyring Terrace, Newstead QLD 4006
Open lunch and dinner, Good Friday and Easter Saturday
WAGAYA BRISBANE
1 TCB Centre, 315 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley QLD 4006
Open for dinner, Thursday
MASSIMO RESTAURANT
123 Eagle St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 5.30pm Thursday
CIAO PAPI
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 3pm Thursday, Open all Easter
FELONS BREWING CO.
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 3pm Thursday, Open all Easter
FELONS BARREL HALL
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 3pm Thursday, Open all Easter
MR PERCIVAL’S
5 Boundary St, Brisbane City QLD 4000
Open 3pm Thursday, Open all Easter
KIKI KIOSK
Fish Lane Town Square, Fish Lane, South Brisbane
Open from midday-late Thursday, closed Good Friday, open Easter Saturday midday-late, closed Water Sunday and Monday
SOUTHSIDE
Fish Lane Town Square, Fish Lane, South Brisbane
Open from 6pm Thursday, lunch and dinner Good Friday, lunch and dinner Easter Saturday, Closed Easter Sunday and Monday.
ONE FISH TWO FISH
708 Main St, Kangaroo Point
Open from 5pm today, Good Friday midday-9pm, Closed Easter Saturday, Sunday, Monday
LA LUNE WINE CO
Fish Lane, South Brisbane
Open today from 4pm, closed Good Friday, Easter Saturday 4pm-late, Easter Sunday 12-5pm
BAR ALTO
Brisbane Powerhouse, 119 Lamington St, New Farm
Open Easter Saturday 11.30am-late, Easter Sunday 11.30am-4pm, closed Easter Monday
HELLENIKA
The Calile Hotel, James St, Fortitude Valley
Open Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday, lunch, and dinner
WHITE HORSE RANCH
31-33 Ferguson St, Albany Creek
Open Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Sunday and Monday 6am-3pm
CAFE O-MAI
15 Cracknell Rd, Annerley
Open Today from midday, Good Friday 7am-2.30pm, Easter Saturday 7am-2pm, Closed Easter Sunday and Monday
OTTO RISTORANTE AND OSTERIA
Sidon St, South Bank
Open Good Friday, Easter Saturday, Sunday lunch and dinner and across the day at the osteria, Easter Monday lunch
BECCOFINO
10 Vernon Tce, Teneriffe
Open today from 5.30pm, Closed Easter long weekend
JULIUS
77 Grey St, South Brisbane
Open today from 5pm, Closed Easter long weekend
MORNING AFTER
57 Vulture St, West End
Open Easter Saturday 7am-2pm, Easter Sunday 7am-2pm, Closed Easter Monday
PING PONG
76 Skyring Tce, Newstead
Today from 5pm, Closed Good Friday, Open Easter Saturday and Sunday lunch and dinner, Closed Easter Monday
CHU THE PHAT
111 Melbourne St, South Brisbane
Open today from 5.30pm, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday lunch and dinner
MADAME WU
71 Eagle St, Brisbane City
Open today from 5.30pm, Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday lunch and dinner
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk today said she would ask Treasurer Cameron Dick to look at further assistance.
“It has been very tough on businesses but let’s hope, fingers crossed, over the Easter period and into the school holidays that people will get out there and support our businesses who have been doing it tough over three days,” she said.
Ms Palaszczuk said health advice meant it was safe for Queenslanders to travel to their holiday destinations.
“The advice from Dr Young is we can lift (lockdown) at 12pm,” she said.
“She’s satisfied with the testing results and the fact we have that linked community case.”
“But, of course, you know, the police also provided advice as well and 12pm does allow people to safely commute on our roads rather than leaving it to later this evening.”
She said everyone should look out for each other on the roads as congestion was expected to impact major roads around Brisbane.
Meanwhile the Opposition is urging the government to act on its four-point plan to help small businesses get back on their feet, including providing grant funding to those impacted.
It’s also called for the government to further defer or waive payroll tax, gaming tax and liquor licence fees.
And it wants mental health support that’s catered to small business owners and employees.
Where you can still get a booking
As at 10am Thursday
Emporium Hotel South Bank
W Brisbane
Sofitel Brisbane Central
Treasury Brisbane
FV By Peppers (Brisbane)
QT Gold Coast
Peppers Broadbeach (Gold Coast)
Paradise Resort Gold Coast
Oaks Sunshine Coast Oasis Resort
Mantra Mooloolaba Beach (Sunshine Coast)
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