Australia’s Akubra on March 28 opened its first-ever brand store in the city of Brisbane, as the Western-style hatmaker looks to expand its direct-to-consumer footprint across the country.
Inside the Akubra Brisbane store – Courtesy
Located at 162 Edward Street, the new Akubra Brisbane store combines the Kempsey-based fim’s heritage craftsmanship with a contemporary twist, with custom pieces handmade by Akubra’s craftspeople including hand-stitched counters and industrial shelving.
The space also features a tone-on-tone colour palette and sleek industrial fixtures, all the while staying true to the brand’s craftsmanship.
Inside, shoppers will find Akubra’s full collection and hat accessories range, along with personalised services such as hat steaming and shaping by master hatters. The store also hosts the exclusive re-launch of the “Outback Club” hat, in collaboration with country music star, Lee Kernaghan, the brand’s ambassador.
The opening comes two years after Akubra was acquired by Andrew and Nicola Forrest’s private investment group Tattarang in November 2023.
“We are incredibly proud to open this new store in Queensland, preserving and building upon the legacy of Akubra,” said Andrew Forrest.
“Akubra has been ingrained in the fabric of Australian families for generations, and I’m proud that more people will have the opportunity to experience this great Australian-made product. What better way to celebrate the outback in Brisbane than with a reunion of the legendary Lee Kernaghan and one of Australia’s most iconic brands, Akubra.
The Brisbane location serves as the next step in a bigger strategy for the brand, with additional stores planned for this year.
“This marks our first-ever branded store experience, and choosing Queensland for our debut was a natural decision—it’s where our community is strongest,” said Akubra CEO, Natalie Culina.
“We’re deeply attuned to our customers, and following the incredible success of the reopening of our Kempsey flagship store, we saw an opportunity to expand our retail presence in a way that brings the true essence of Akubra to life. This isn’t just a store—it’s an immersive celebration of Australian heritage, craftsmanship, and the iconic handcrafted hats that have become woven into our national identity,” she said.
