Wrest Point Casino opened on 10 February 1973 as Australia's first legal casino. Located in Sandy Bay, Hobart, it combines gaming facilities with a luxury hotel tower, multiple restaurants, bars, and event spaces in Tasmania's tallest building.
Wrest Point Casino represents a significant milestone in Australian gaming history as the country's first legal casino. Since opening its doors on 10 February 1973 in Sandy Bay, Hobart, the venue has evolved into a comprehensive entertainment destination that combines gaming facilities with luxury accommodation, diverse dining options, and event spaces. The iconic tower structure dominates Hobart's skyline as Tasmania's tallest building, offering 269 rooms with panoramic views of the River Derwent, Mount Wellington, and Hobart City.
The casino operates as part of a full-service resort managed by Federal Group, holding the exclusive gaming licence in Tasmania. Beyond the gaming floor, Wrest Point provides visitors with access to five restaurants, six bars, conference facilities, and entertainment venues. The location offers convenient access to Hobart's attractions while maintaining a waterfront setting that has made it a landmark destination for both tourists and locals since its establishment over five decades ago.
The site of Wrest Point Casino carries significant historical importance dating back to pre-colonial times. The area known as Dunkley's Point served as a camping ground for the semi-nomadic Mouheneener people, who maintained a permanent settlement at nearby Long Beach. The European history of the site began between 1808 and 1813 when Norfolk Islander Thomas Chaffey constructed his residence on the point during British colonisation, leading to the area being known as Chaffey's Point.
The property changed hands multiple times throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. William Chaffey erected the Traveller's Wrest Hotel on Sandy Bay Road in 1836, a structure that remains standing today. David Dunkley purchased the estate in 1847, constructed his residence St. Helena, and renamed the area Dunkley's Point. Subsequent owners included George G. Robertson in 1898 and Mrs. G. Minette Lucas in 1928, who erected the mansion known as Wrest Point. Entrepreneur Arthur James Drysdale purchased the estate in 1936, setting the stage for its transformation into a hospitality venue.
The streamline moderne Wrest Point Riviera Hotel opened on 5 December 1939, designed by architects Colin Philp and David Hartley Wilson. The establishment was considered one of the most modern hotels in Australia at the time, with 400 guests attending the opening including Tasmanian Premier Edmund Dwyer-Gray. Built at a cost exceeding 70,000 Australian pounds, the luxurious hotel featured accommodation for 500 patrons.
The original development transformed the entirety of Dunkley's Point with tiered garden beds, a heated saltwater bathing pool, tennis courts, and a private jetty. The facility operated a steamboat named Arcadia for scenic cruises and a yacht named Acushla. Both the pool and tennis courts featured protective walls to shield patrons from strong winds, demonstrating attention to guest comfort in the waterfront location.
The granting of Australia's first legal casino licence to Wrest Point marked a turning point in the venue's history and Australian gaming regulation. The decision to establish a legal casino in Tasmania came after extensive debate about gaming regulation and tourism development. The casino opened on 10 February 1973, introducing legal table games and gaming machines to the Australian market for the first time.
The iconic tower structure was designed by architect Roy Grounds and completed in 1973 to coincide with the casino opening. The tower became Tasmania's tallest building, fundamentally changing Hobart's skyline. The vertical design maximized the number of rooms with water or mountain views while creating a distinctive landmark visible throughout the city. The tower's height and modernist architecture represented a significant departure from Hobart's traditional low-rise colonial architecture, generating both admiration and controversy.
The casino floor at Wrest Point provides a comprehensive range of gaming options designed to accommodate different player preferences and experience levels. The facility operates under strict regulatory oversight by Tasmanian gaming authorities, ensuring compliance with responsible gaming standards and fair play requirements. Federal Group, as the operating licence holder, maintains the gaming operations while integrating them with the broader resort amenities.
Table games form the traditional core of the casino offering, including classics such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker variations. Experienced dealers manage the tables, providing guidance to newcomers while maintaining professional standards for regular players. The table game section operates with varying minimum and maximum bet limits to accommodate casual players and high rollers alike.
Electronic gaming machines constitute a significant portion of the gaming floor, offering diverse themes, denominations, and gameplay styles. The machines range from traditional three-reel formats to modern video slots with multiple paylines, bonus features, and progressive jackpots. The electronic gaming area provides options for players seeking different volatility levels and betting ranges.
Sports betting services complement the traditional casino games, allowing patrons to wager on racing and sporting events. The betting facilities include dedicated areas with screens displaying live racing and sports coverage, along with staff to assist with bet placement. The integration of betting services with casino gaming creates a comprehensive wagering environment under one roof.
Wrest Point Tower accommodation comprises 269 rooms distributed across multiple categories designed to suit varying preferences and budgets. The tower rooms provide the signature experience, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering unobstructed views of either the River Derwent and harbour or Mount Wellington and the surrounding mountain ranges. The elevation ensures that most rooms capture expansive vistas that showcase Hobart's natural setting.
Deluxe room categories include Accessible King rooms designed for guests with mobility requirements, Mountain Twin and King rooms facing the mountain ranges, and Harbour Twin and King rooms overlooking the water. Harbour Suites provide expanded space with separate living areas and premium amenities. All tower accommodations feature modern furnishings, climate control, and contemporary bathrooms, with particular attention to maintaining comfortable temperatures during Hobart's cool winters.
Wrest Point operates under Federal Group's gaming licence, offering a complete resort experience that integrates casino gaming with accommodation, dining, and entertainment. The facility maintains regulatory compliance while providing diverse gaming options including table games, electronic gaming machines, and sports betting services.
The venue selection process for visitors involves choosing from tower accommodation with River Derwent or Mount Wellington views, accessing multiple dining venues from casual to fine dining, and enjoying gaming facilities alongside entertainment options. The integrated resort model ensures guests can access all amenities within a single location just five minutes from Salamanca.
The Water Edge Motor Inn provides an alternative accommodation option for guests seeking ground-level access and a different price point. Water Edge Twin and King rooms offer direct access to parking and ground-floor convenience while maintaining quality standards. The motor inn accommodations appeal to guests who prefer traditional motel-style access or those traveling with vehicles who value proximity to parking.
In-room dining services extend across all accommodation categories, allowing guests to order meals delivered to their rooms. The service provides flexibility for guests who prefer private dining or require meals outside standard restaurant hours. Special dietary requirements can be accommodated through advance notice to the in-room dining team.
Wrest Point's dining portfolio encompasses five restaurants offering distinct culinary experiences ranging from casual to fine dining. Longhorn Smokehouse specializes in American-style barbecue and smoked meats, providing a relaxed atmosphere with hearty portions. The Point Revolving Restaurant represents the signature dining experience, rotating to provide 360-degree views of Hobart while serving contemporary cuisine. The revolving mechanism completes a full rotation during a typical dining service, allowing guests to observe the changing perspectives of the harbour, city, and mountains.
Boardwalk Café and Boardwalk Bistro offer more casual dining options with accessible pricing and familiar menu items suitable for families and quick meals. Kwan Ho provides Asian cuisine with a focus on Chinese dishes, adding international variety to the dining options. The range of restaurants ensures that guests can find appropriate dining regardless of occasion, dress code preference, or budget considerations.
Six bars distributed throughout the property provide drinking and socializing venues with different atmospheres. Birdcage Bar offers a sophisticated setting for cocktails and premium beverages. Boardwalk Bar provides a casual waterfront atmosphere suitable for relaxed drinks. Casino Bar serves gaming floor patrons with convenient access to beverages while playing. The Green Room Bar functions as an entertainment venue bar, serving guests attending shows and events.
Each bar maintains its own character through décor, music selection, and beverage focus, allowing guests to choose environments matching their mood and social preferences. The bars operate on varying schedules aligned with casino hours, dining services, and entertainment programming.
Wrest Point provides comprehensive event spaces suitable for corporate conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, cocktail receptions, breakfast meetings, luncheons, workshops, and training sessions. The facilities accommodate groups ranging from small boardroom meetings to large-scale conferences with hundreds of attendees. Professional event planning staff assist with logistics, catering coordination, audiovisual requirements, and room configurations.
The venue's integrated resort model offers advantages for multi-day conferences, allowing attendees to access accommodation, dining, and entertainment without leaving the property. The waterfront location and distinctive architecture provide a memorable setting that differentiates corporate events from standard hotel conference facilities. Breakout rooms, exhibition spaces, and flexible room configurations enable customization based on specific event requirements.
The venue hosts regular special events including holiday celebrations, New Year's Eve festivities, and entertainment performances. Past events have featured touring musicians and performers, with dedicated entertainment spaces accommodating various show formats. The combination of dining, accommodation, and entertainment creates package opportunities for guests attending special events.
Promotions and themed events on the gaming floor provide variety for regular casino patrons, with the rewards program offering benefits and incentives tied to gaming activity. The promotions calendar changes regularly to maintain interest and provide different experiences throughout the year.
Wrest Point's Sandy Bay location places it approximately five minutes from Salamanca Place, one of Hobart's primary tourist destinations known for its Saturday market, galleries, and historic sandstone warehouses. The waterfront position provides direct views across the River Derwent while maintaining proximity to the city center. Free visitor parking addresses one of the practical considerations for guests driving to the venue, removing a common barrier for casino and restaurant visitors.
The location balances accessibility with a degree of separation from the central business district, creating a destination feel while remaining convenient for both tourists and local residents. Public transportation options and taxi services connect Wrest Point to other parts of Hobart, though many guests arrive by private vehicle given the parking availability.
The Wrest Point rewards program provides benefits for regular gaming patrons, accumulating points based on gaming activity that can be redeemed for various benefits. The program extends across Federal Group properties, allowing members to earn and use benefits at multiple venues. Tier levels within the program provide escalating benefits for higher-volume players, including priority access, complimentary services, and exclusive promotions.
Program members receive targeted communications about upcoming promotions, special events, and exclusive offers. The rewards structure incentivizes repeat visits while providing tangible value to regular patrons through complimentary meals, accommodation discounts, and gaming credits.
Wrest Point Casino maintains its position as a landmark Hobart destination through its combination of historical significance, comprehensive facilities, and integrated resort model. As Australia's first legal casino, the venue carries cultural importance beyond its current operations, representing a pivotal moment in Australian gaming regulation. The tower's distinctive architecture ensures ongoing visibility in Hobart's skyline while the 269 rooms provide accommodation options with views that capitalize on the waterfront location.
The integration of gaming, dining, accommodation, and event facilities creates a self-contained destination that serves multiple visitor needs. Whether guests prioritize gaming, dining at the revolving restaurant, attending conferences, or simply enjoying harbour views from tower rooms, Wrest Point provides the infrastructure and services to support diverse visit purposes. The venue's longevity over five decades demonstrates sustained relevance in Tasmania's hospitality and entertainment landscape.
Wrest Point Casino opened on 10 February 1973 as Australia's first legal casino. This marked a significant shift in Australian gaming regulation and established Tasmania as a pioneer in legal casino operations, predating casinos in other Australian states by several years.
The casino offers traditional table games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and poker variations, along with electronic gaming machines featuring various themes and denominations. Sports betting services for racing and sporting events are also available, providing comprehensive wagering options under one roof.
Wrest Point offers 269 rooms across multiple categories including Deluxe Tower rooms with harbour or mountain views, Harbour Suites with separate living areas, and Water Edge Motor Inn rooms with ground-level access. All accommodations feature modern amenities with options to suit different budgets and preferences.
The property features five restaurants including Longhorn Smokehouse for American barbecue, The Point Revolving Restaurant for fine dining with rotating views, Boardwalk Café and Bistro for casual meals, and Kwan Ho for Asian cuisine. Six bars throughout the property provide additional drinking and socializing venues.
Wrest Point is located in Sandy Bay on the waterfront, approximately five minutes from Salamanca Place and Hobart's city center. The venue provides free visitor parking and is easily accessible by car or public transportation from other parts of Hobart.
Yes, the venue provides comprehensive event spaces for conferences, exhibitions, gala dinners, cocktail events, meetings, and training sessions. Professional event planning staff assist with logistics, and the integrated resort model allows multi-day conference attendees to access accommodation, dining, and entertainment on-site.
The rewards program allows gaming patrons to accumulate points based on activity that can be redeemed for benefits including complimentary meals, accommodation discounts, and gaming credits. The program extends across Federal Group properties with tier levels providing escalating benefits for regular players.
Tower rooms offer panoramic views of either the River Derwent and harbour or Mount Wellington and the surrounding mountain ranges. The elevation of Tasmania's tallest building ensures most rooms capture expansive vistas showcasing Hobart's natural waterfront and mountain setting.
Wrest Point Casino collaborates with leading hospitality and entertainment partners to deliver exceptional guest experiences.
Dine in Tasmania's only revolving restaurant offering 360-degree views of Hobart while enjoying contemporary cuisine. The restaurant completes a full rotation during service, providing changing perspectives of the harbour, city, and Mount Wellington.
Stay in Tasmania's tallest building with rooms offering unobstructed views of the River Derwent. Deluxe Harbour rooms and suites provide floor-to-ceiling windows, modern amenities, and comfortable spaces designed for relaxation.
Wrest Point announces special Christmas and New Year's Eve events featuring gala dinners, entertainment performances, and exclusive gaming promotions throughout the holiday season.
Federal Group introduces enhanced rewards program benefits with new tier levels, expanded redemption options, and exclusive member promotions across Wrest Point facilities.
Wrest Point completes audiovisual technology upgrades across conference spaces, adding high-definition projection systems and enhanced connectivity for corporate events and exhibitions.