It’s a long way to the top ...

PRINCE, the Beach Boys, Bryan Adams, Good Charlotte and Marilyn Manson are just some of the big names to have played at these venues but the man behind it all says it’s been a hard slog.

The late Prince performed at the Eatons Hill Hotel. Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

WHEN the likes of Prince and the Beach Boys performed at the Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point hotels many inside and outside the industry were surprised.

Back then, the venues were new, or relatively new, and untested.

That’s certainly not the case anymore, with a steady stream of big names playing at the venues including Bryan Adams earlier this year and Mariah Carey in October.

Songstress Mariah Carey is coming to the Sandstone Point Hotel in October. Photo: Bennett Raglin/Getty Images

Comiskey Group director Rob Comiskey says attracting this calibre of star power has been a focus from the start with the venues built to host big gigs.

“We invested millions into that side of it before we had our first concert,” he recalls.

But it was hard in the early years to convince big names to take a chance on a new venue and region. And if it didn’t work, word would spread pretty quickly. Rob says they made a conscious decision to start small and grow from there.

“We were offered some big acts early on but wanted to make sure we could do it well,” he recalls.

“I think the biggest thing is confidence. No-one wants to test a location out or take a risk. There’s enough risk in the industry as it is.”

Rob says they had to prove themselves and put their “money where their mouths were”. They did this by buying shows and entering into partnerships.

Joel and Benji Madden of Good Charlotte. Photo: Araya Diaz/Getty Images.

People are now seeing the locations work. It is seven years down the track for the Eatons Hill Hotel and more than two years for the Sandstone Point Hotel.

He says people say they have come so far but it’s just the beginning. And the spin-off benefits for the region come in the form of tens of thousands of visitors looking for somewhere to stay and eat each year.

“There’s also been massive growth in property prices (at Eatons Hill and Sandstone Point). They’ve become more desirable areas to live. I’m hoping we’re part of that,” Rob says.

The venues are very different, with the Eatons Hill Hotel offering car parking, the latest audio equipment from France, and a vibe and intimate experience for performers and fans.

The Beach Boys performing at the Sandstone Point Hotel. Photo: Josh Woning.

Sandstone Point Hotel is an outdoor venue with “200 degree views of the water”.

Both have won awards for Best Hotel in Queensland, Best Hotel in Australia and Best Entertainment Venue in Queensland.

Rob says he’s glad he didn’t listen to those who said ‘don’t do it, it won’t work’.

“Believe in yourself and surround yourself with great people,” he says.

Eatons Hill Hotel: 646 South Pine Rd

Sandstone Point Hotel: 1800 Bribie Island Rd