Brisbane is getting its first Costco warehouse, with the US retail giant confirming plans for a major new store and petrol station at Brisbane Airport.
The new Costco Brisbane Airport location is expected to open in late 2029 on a 6.7-hectare site directly opposite the International Terminal.
Plans include a 15,600-square-metre warehouse, a fuel station with 34 bowsers, around 870 parking spaces and approximately 250 full-time jobs once the development is complete.
The project will be Costco’s first warehouse within Brisbane City and its fourth location in Queensland, expanding the retailer’s presence beyond its existing stores at North Lakes, Bundamba and Coomera.
When will Costco Brisbane Airport open?
Brisbane Airport says the new Costco is scheduled to open in late 2029.
The store will form part of a much larger mixed-use development planned for a 51-hectare parcel of airport land opposite the International Terminal.
Brisbane Airport has already started perimeter drainage works on the site as it prepares the area for future development.
The Costco itself will occupy about 12% of the wider development site, meaning substantial space will remain available for other businesses and developments.
Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said Costco would become an important drawcard for the new precinct and described the retailer’s arrival as the beginning of a broader transformation of the site.
More information about the development is available in the official Brisbane Airport announcement.
What will the new Brisbane Costco include?
The warehouse is planned to cover approximately 15,600 square metres, giving Costco enough space for its familiar mix of bulk groceries, fresh food, electronics, clothing and household products.
The development is also expected to include Costco services such as a food court, tyre centre, optical services and hearing-aid services.
One of the biggest attractions for Brisbane motorists is likely to be the planned 34-bowser Costco fuel station.
Costco fuel stations are available to members and are an important part of the company’s warehouse model, particularly for customers combining a shopping trip with refuelling.
The Brisbane Airport site is expected to have 870 car parking spaces, reflecting the large-format, car-based shopping model used by Costco across Australia.
| Location | Brisbane Airport |
| Expected opening | Late 2029 |
| Warehouse size | 15,600m² |
| Site size | 6.7 hectares |
| Parking | 870 spaces |
| Fuel station | 34 bowsers |
| Jobs | Around 250 full-time positions |
Costco Australia and New Zealand country manager Chris Tingman said the company views Brisbane as a growing market and expects the airport location to provide greater access for members across the city.
The retailer is investing more than $145 million in the development, according to Brisbane Airport and reports detailing the project.
Costco currently operates more than 900 warehouses worldwide and has steadily expanded its Australian footprint since opening its first local warehouse in Melbourne in 2009.
The company uses a membership model rather than operating like a conventional supermarket. Australian memberships currently start at $65 per year, while Executive Membership costs $130.
The Brisbane development comes as competition in Australia’s grocery and value-retail sector remains intense. Woolworths recently reported stronger supermarket sales and profit growth as major retailers compete for increasingly value-conscious shoppers. Read more about Woolworths’ latest sales and profit performance.
Costco’s model is different from traditional supermarkets such as Woolworths and Coles because customers generally buy larger quantities, while membership fees and high-volume warehouse sales form a central part of its business.
The airport location could also give Costco access to customers from across Brisbane because the site is about 12 kilometres from the CBD and connected to major road networks serving South East Queensland.
The wider Brisbane Airport project could eventually become just as significant as the Costco opening itself.
The airport says the retailer is only the first major tenant announced for the 51-hectare precinct, with additional businesses expected as development progresses.
For Brisbane shoppers, however, the key date remains late 2029. If the current schedule is maintained, residents will no longer need to travel outside Brisbane City to visit a Costco warehouse.
Details including the final opening date and development timetable may change as construction progresses. This article will be updated when Costco or Brisbane Airport announces further information.
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