What Cairns Performing Arts Centre does

Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) is a government-owned, multi-venue performing arts complex located in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, fully owned and operated by Cairns Regional Council. The facility opened on 15 December 2018 as a joint initiative of Cairns Regional Council, the Queensland Government (through Arts Queensland), and the Australian Government, replacing the demolished 1974 Cairns Civic Theatre. It comprises three venues: the 941-seat CPAC Theatre with a proscenium arch, 14-metre opening, 13-metre stage, and 48 fly lines; the flexible 372-seat CPAC Studio with an automated flooring system configurable into raked seating, standing room, in-the-round, thrust, arena, or black box layouts; and the adjacent 3,500-capacity Munro Martin Parklands outdoor venue with Australia's only 13-metre green proscenium stage. Supporting infrastructure includes a 132-vehicle car park, hearing loops, Auracast assistive listening, a soundproof Crying Room, relaxed performances, and Visual Stories for neurodiverse visitors co-developed with Autism Queensland.

CPAC operates a hybrid business model combining curated presenter programming, third-party venue hire, and consumer-facing services. The "CPAC Presents" programme delivers curated events under the Morning Melodies daytime series (operating for over 20 years), Opera Queensland productions, Queensland Symphony Orchestra concerts, Bangarra Dance Theatre, Bell Shakespeare, and touring commercial productions. Venue hire is offered to external promoters, producers, and community groups across all three spaces, with full event management, marketing, ticketing, and technical crew support. Ticketlink — a proprietary ticketing platform owned by Cairns Regional Council — handles all sales via phone (1300 855 835), online, regional outlets, and an on-site box office, with pricing ranging from free community events to $230 VIP experiences and group discounts for 10+ ticket bookings. Florence Social provides on-site food and beverage service. The venue targets Far North Queensland residents and visitors, seniors, families, school groups, and external promoters, with a stated aspiration to become the Arts and Cultural Capital of Northern Australia.

Name

Cairns Performing Arts Centre

Legal name

Cairns Performing Arts Centre

Website

https://cairnsperformingartscentre.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Cairns Performing Arts Centre is a Cairns Regional Council-owned multi-venue complex (941-seat Theatre, 372-seat Studio, 3,500-capacity Munro Martin Parklands) presenting curated touring productions and hiring venues to external promoters across Far North Queensland, with ticketing via the council's Ticketlink platform.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Performing Arts Venue & Live Entertainment

NAICS

Promoters of Performing Arts, Sports, and Similar Events with Facilities (71131), Theater Companies and Dinner Theaters (71111), Performing Arts Companies (7111)

SIC

Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Theater & Performing Arts Venue Operations (Playhouses, Opera Houses) (MPAGALAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Performing Arts Centers & Presenters (Programming/Booking) (MPAGABAM), Concert Halls & Music Venue Operations (Symphony Halls, Recital Venues) (MPAGALAC), Performing Arts & Cultural Event Venues (Theaters, Museums) (THAHAAAG)

Keywords

• Performing arts venue
• Live entertainment events
• Venue hire services
• Event ticketing platform
• Outdoor concert venue

Headquarters

HQ city

Cairns

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Ticket Sales: Primary revenue stream through Ticketlink (Cairns Regional Council ticketing service). Tickets sold online, by phone, and at box office with booking fees included in pricing.
2. Venue Hire: CPAC Theatre, Studio, and Munro Martin Parklands available for hire to external promoters, producers, and community groups. Complete event management team available including marketing, ticketing, backstage and technical crews.
3. Food & Beverage: Florence Social bar and refreshment services operating before and during events, offering wines, beers, spirits, soft drinks, and gourmet share-style dishes

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Cairns Performing Arts Centre operates a three-venue performing arts complex in Cairns, Australia, offering live theatre, music, dance, comedy, and cultural events across a 941-seat proscenium arch theatre, a flexible 372-seat studio, and a 3,500-capacity outdoor parklands venue. Revenue is generated through ticket sales via the Ticketlink platform, venue hire to external promoters and producers, food and beverage service at Florence Social, and curated programming under the CPAC Presents banner including the long-running Morning Melodies series.

Product overview

Cairns Performing Arts Centre (CPAC) is a performing arts venue complex operated by Cairns Regional Council, consisting of three main venues: the 941-seat CPAC Theatre (proscenium arch), the flexible 372-seat CPAC Studio, and the outdoor Munro Martin Parklands (up to 3,500 capacity). Supporting services include Florence Social bar/restaurant, the curated CPAC Presents program, and the Morning Melodies daytime series. Ticketing is handled through Ticketlink, Cairns Regional Council's proprietary ticketing platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CPAC Presents: Curated presenter program by Cairns Regional Council bringing acclaimed artists and productions to Cairns audiences
• Morning Melodies
• Florence Social
• Munro Martin Parklands
• Munro Martin Parklands

Products and services

• CPAC Theatre A 941-seat proscenium arch theatre ideally suited to opera, ballet, and large-scale theatrical events, featuring a full-size stage, orchestra pit, 14m proscenium arch, 48 fly lines, locally sourced timber-lined auditorium, and accessibility features including hearing loop and quiet room. Available for hire by touring companies and external promoters and open to ticket-buying public for curated events.
• CPAC Studio A flexible performance space seating up to 372, configurable via automated flooring system into raked seating, standing room, level floor for tables, in-the-round, thrust, arena, and black box configurations. Used for cabaret, comedy, intimate theatre, and small-scale touring productions.
• Munro Martin Parklands An outdoor public park venue with large stage suitable for audiences up to 3,500, featuring a 13m high green proscenium (the only one of its kind in Australia). Functions as both an event venue for concerts and festivals and an everyday public green space.
• Florence Social (Bar and Restaurant) On-site bar and restaurant on the ground level of CPAC offering hand-selected wines, boutique beers, premium spirits, and gourmet share-style dishes. Pre-purchasing of food and drinks for performances available, operating before and during events.
• CPAC Presents Curated presenter program delivered by Cairns Regional Council bringing acclaimed artists, engaging productions, and memorable entertainment experiences to local audiences throughout the year. Includes ticketed live music, dance, theatre, and family entertainment programming.
• Morning Melodies Daytime Series A daytime performance series showcasing outstanding guest artists in relaxed performances with complimentary morning tea. One-price ticketing ($25, with group 6+ at $23) designed for seniors and community audiences, running for over 20 years under the CPAC Presents program.
• Venue Hire Services End-to-end venue hire for CPAC Theatre, CPAC Studio, and Munro Martin Parklands available to external promoters, touring companies, and community groups. Includes complete event management support covering marketing, ticketing through Ticketlink, backstage and technical crews, front-of-house, and venue operations.
• Ticketlink Ticketing Platform Cairns-based ticketing services provider owned and operated by Cairns Regional Council. Handles ticket sales for CPAC events via phone (1300 855 835), online (Ticketlink website with eTicket email delivery 48 hours pre-event), and in-person at the Ticketlink Box Office located on the ground floor of CPAC.

Named customers9 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Cairns Regional CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCairns Regional Council is the owner and operator of CPAC. The centre was a joint initiative of Cairns Regional Council, Queensland Government through Arts Queensland, and the Australian Government. Council provides ongoing operational funding, venue management, and ticketing services through Ticketlink.
• Creative AustraliacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal arts funding body providing support for touring productions including Opera Queensland's Are You Lonesome Tonight regional tour.
• Arts QueenslandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueensland Government arts department that co-funded CPAC construction and continues to support touring productions through funding programs including Touring Queensland Fund.
• Opera QueenslandmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueensland's peak opera company presenting regular productions at CPAC including Are You Lonesome Tonight, The Barber of Seville, The Marriage of Figaro, and Ruddigore.
• Queensland Symphony OrchestramajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueensland's state symphony orchestra presenting outdoor concerts at Munro Martin Parklands including Symphony Under the Stars.
• Bangarra Dance TheatremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's leading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander dance company presenting mainstage productions including Horizon.
• Bell ShakespearemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustralia's national Shakespeare company presenting theatrical productions including Macbeth at CPAC.
• Performing Lines WAmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerWestern Australian performing arts production organisation producing ARCO and ARCO Jnr, presented at CPAC.
• Autism QueenslandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with CPAC to develop Visual Stories for neurodiverse visitors to help plan and prepare for visits.
• Cairns Indigenous Art Fair (CIAF)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerQueensland's premier Indigenous art market platform from which CPAC purchases and commissions artworks. All public art at CPAC was purchased or commissioned through CIAF in 2017.

Scale indicators13 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC): Queensland's flagship performing arts venue complex in Brisbane, operated as a statutory authority. Directly comparable to CPAC as a state-funded multi-venue presenter/programmer offering theatre, concert hall, and outdoor venue operations under government ownership.
• Adelaide Festival Centre: South Australia's state-government performing arts venue complex with multiple theatres and adjacent outdoor spaces. Highly comparable operating model: government-owned, multi-venue, presenter-based programming for theatre, music, and dance.
• Arts Centre Melbourne: Victoria's major performing arts venue complex encompassing multiple theatres, a concert hall, and outdoor programming. Directly comparable multi-venue government-supported operation with presenter programming and venue hire.
• Canberra Theatre Centre: ACT Government-owned performing arts venue presenting theatre, music, and dance. Comparable as a multi-stage government venue with presenter programming and broad community access mandate.
• Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre: Regional North Queensland government-owned venue hosting touring performing arts, concerts, and events. Closely comparable as a regional Queensland government venue competing for touring productions in the same state.
• Darwin Entertainment Centre: Northern Territory Government-owned entertainment venue hosting touring productions, concerts, and community events. Comparable as a tropical regional government venue serving a geographically isolated catchment.
• Geelong Arts Centre: Regional Victorian multi-venue performing arts centre with theatre, studio, and outdoor spaces. Comparable as a recently-redeveloped multi-venue government-supported regional presenter.
• Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre: Penrith (Western Sydney) council-supported performing arts venue presenting theatre, music, and community programming. Comparable as a multi-space regional venue presenter serving a defined geographic catchment.

Broad incumbents

• Sydney Opera House: Iconic multi-venue performing arts centre operated by the NSW Government. While much larger and higher-profile, it shares the same government-owned venue operator model with presenter programming and significant tourism draw.

Regional players

• Frankston Arts Centre: Local government-owned multi-venue performing arts centre in regional Victoria. Comparable as a multi-space council-operated presenter; similar scale and community-facing programming model to CPAC.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/mmpcairns

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Cairns Performing Arts Centre