EXPLORE SOUTH BANK

Welcome to South Bank

Venture into South Bank’s pristine parklands and find yourself surrounded by a tantalising feast for the senses. 

Nestled on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, South Bank is Brisbane’s lifestyle and cultural destination attracting an estimated 14 million visitors annually. This relaxed inner-city enclave stretches across almost 15 hectares of prime river frontage, from Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art in the north to the Queensland Maritime Museum in the south. It’s famous for its diverse mix of entertainment, recreation and leisure activities that are all within walking distance of each other. Just some of the precinct’s highlights include inner-city parklands; a wide selection of restaurants, cafes and bars; world-class museums and galleries; a performing arts centre; a cinema; five-star hotels and the iconic Wheel of Brisbane.

Home to hundreds of events each year, South Bank is continually evolving to create new and exciting experiences for locals and visitors alike. It’s a prime place to wine, dine, swim, stroll, play or stay. From laid back days soaked in sunshine to lively evenings of premium entertainment, South Bank has it all!

To help get you acquainted with all that’s on offer at South Bank, join us for a stroll through this picturesque precinct, starting at the southern end near the South Bank Railway Station and underground parking area. 

At the southern end of South Bank, you’ll find the Queensland Maritime Museum built around the heritage-listed South Brisbane Dry Dock. Just a little further to the north, you’ll find yourself surrounded by several popular picnic areas, including Picnic Island Green, with its playground and free barbecue facilities. This is a perfect place to make the most of the city’s sunny weather with a BYO alfresco feast and a fun day out with the family. Next, you’ll arrive at Flowstate – a contemporary open-air pavilion and creative space hosting cultural activities, workshops and performances. 

As you continue heading north towards the city, you’ll arrive at the central section of South Bank, including Streets Beach beside the river, and the gastronomic treats of Little Stanley Street behind. On weekends, Little Stanley Street Lawn (opposite the restaurants) bursts into a kaleidoscope of colour and bustling action with The Collective Markets. The scent of handmade soaps and freshly baked pastries beckon, inviting you to pause and explore the artisanal treasures on display at this vibrant outdoor market.

Just a little further north, the South Bank Piazza is where you’ll find the very helpful South Bank Visitor Information and Booking Centre, with knowledgeable local experts on hand to offer helpful insights and point you in the right direction.

Heading further north along the river foreshore, you’ll come to the Rainforest Walk and Nepalese Pagoda, a serene space to sit, relax and reflect, before making your way past the towering Wheel of Brisbane to the vibrant Cultural Precinct. Here you’ll encounter an enthralling world of history, arts and entertainment at a host of premier venues.

There are many ways to wander your own path through the parklands, including hugging the riverbank by following the Clem Jones Promenade, or winding your way through the heart of the action along the iconic floral Arbour. The riverfront promenade is especially popular with joggers and cyclists eager to drink in the views overlooking the water. Alternatively, the meandering Arbour is bordered by curling steel columns clad in vibrant magenta bougainvillea flowers that subtly scent the air with a blooming bouquet. As you wander, you may hear the rhythmic strumming of a street performer’s guitar, or the gentle rustling of palm fronds swaying in the breeze.

Both paths border Brisbane’s famed Streets Beach – a man-made lagoon with a sandy beach on the southern side. This central swimming area in the heart of South Bank is patrolled by lifeguards and is a firm favourite with families of all ages. It also includes the Boat Pool (a large traditional-style pool) and Aquativity – a fun, all-abilities water play area. The atmosphere is alive with the chatter of excited visitors paired with splashing and laughter from families enjoying this inner-city oasis.

The parkland’s 15 hectares of sprawling lawns feature numerous picnic areas, playgrounds and gorgeous landscapes that virtually beg you to lounge on a picnic rug and soak up the relaxed ambience. River Quay and Picnic Island Green are licensed lawns, so you can settle in with a vino in hand to enjoy a lazy afternoon lingering over your gourmet picnic and quality conversation. Or gather a group together and fire up one of the free barbecues. With the tantalising aroma of sizzling sausages wafting in the air, you may even acquire a few newfound friends to keep you company!

For the foodie in all of us, South Bank serves up a smorgasbord of culinary delights to tantalise your tastebuds and satisfy your appetite for a world of fresh and exciting flavours.  Here, the air is rich with the enticing fragrances of aromatic Asian stir-fries, spicy Mexican eats and freshly brewed coffee, each scent enticing you to pull up a seat and sample all that’s on offer. From cheap eats to upmarket riverside restaurants, a quick morning coffee fix to decadent desserts, it’s all on the menu at South Bank!

One of the area’s main dining precincts is Little Stanley Street, which buzzes with bustling casual eateries and cafes that are perfectly positioned to take advantage of Brisbane’s abundant sunshine, warm weather and relaxed, alfresco lifestyle. Within the length of this small street, you can embark on a culinary adventure around the globe (if your appetite allows). Behind it, Grey Street is a fusion of commerce and culture, with some great foodie finds scattered along its length. The Arbour View Cafe in the centre of South Bank serves up handy takeaway bites and quick eats, while Stanley Street Plaza has a mix of laidback cafes and bars. Meanwhile, River Quay’s refined eateries serve up produce-driven fine dining at its best.

If it’s a bar you’re chasing you’ve come to the right place. South Bank offers a generous array of licensed establishments for your drinking pleasure. Whether you’re after a traditional pub experience or a modern microbrewery with live entertainment, you’ll find plenty here to cheer about, including the classic Ship Inn constructed here in 1864. 

The Cultural Precinct

And for those seeking culture immersion, look no further than South Bank’s much-loved Cultural Precinct. This is the pulsing heart of Brisbane’s arts and culture scene. The ‘Cultural Centre’, as it’s known colloquially, is home to the city’s world-class and award-winning arts institutions, housed within a cluster of buildings all within easy walking distance. The South Bank Cultural Precinct incorporates the Queensland Art Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art, the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. 

Be enthralled by local and international art exhibitions, brilliant theatrical performances, side-splitting comedy, live music and dance extravaganzas. Be awed and inspired as the curtain rises on world-class entertainment and events, showcasing the talents of some of Australia and the world’s most exalted artists and new and exciting acts. From traditional to experimental and everything in between, there’s something here to appeal to every audience. 

Speaking of cultural appreciation, let’s take a moment to reflect on the heritage that helped shape this now vibrant city precinct.

South Bank has a rich and varied history, giving it a special place in the collective hearts of locals and visitors alike. Evoking a sense of nostalgia and national pride, South Bank has borne witness to many significant moments in the city’s evolution. 

The South Brisbane region (incorporating South Bank) is culturally significant to Indigenous Australians and was often used as a meeting place for visiting peoples from the north and south of the Brisbane River. 

In the 1840s, European settlement saw it transform into Brisbane’s city centre. Then, in 1883, severe flooding prompted the settlers to relocate the present-day City Centre, on the Brisbane River’s north banks.

By 1930, South Bank had been re-established as a bustling river port and industrial zone that was buzzing with markets, wharves, dance halls and theatres. Fast forward to1984, when this mostly industrial area  was selected as the site for World Expo 88.

World Expo 88 was immensely successful and breathed new life into South Bank – it attracted 18 million people to the precinct during its six-month run and it also showcased the area’s potential as public space. Once World Expo 88 was over, the people of Brisbane were so enamoured with South Bank that they lobbied to keep it as public parkland. This was approved by the Queensland Government in 1989 and from there, South Bank continued to grow; the Parklands opened in 1992; Little Stanley Street opened in 1998; and River Quay opened in 2011.

Today, South Bank is one of Brisbane’s most vibrant and cherished precincts. It is continually evolving and is fast becoming one of Australia’s most internationally recognisable spaces.

The South Bank precinct is designed to be enjoyed by all and is a popular destination for people of all ages and abilities. 

It is located on the south side of the Brisbane River, strolling distance from the City Centre, via the Goodwill Bridge at the southern end or the Victoria Bridge at the Arts Precinct or northern end. It’s also well serviced by public transport, featuring three CityCat terminals, as well as the Cultural Centre busway station, and South Brisbane and South Bank railway stations all within a short walk. For journey planning and the latest public transport access updates please visit translink.com.au or call 13 12 30. Please note that at the time of publishing this audio guide, a lot of construction was occurring in this area to further upgrade facilities for the new Cross River Rail project. Accessible parking can be found under the parklands via Grey Street, with lift access to the parklands level. 

Need help planning and making the most of your visit to South Bank? The friendly team at the South Bank Visitor Information and Booking Centre is only too happy to help you plan your day (or days) in the Parklands. They can also provide directions and assist with your questions, including those relating to accessibility. The centre is open seven days and is conveniently located in Stanley Street Plaza in the heart of the parklands, between Max Brenner and The Plough Inn. You can also call them on 07 3029 1797 or email vicsouthbank@cityparklands.com.au. 

There are several audio-tactile pedestrian crossings in the South Bank and surrounding South Brisbane area, allowing those with access needs to travel with greater safety and independence. If you’re visiting with an assistance animal, please note that many public areas across South Bank are open to both service dogs and domestic pets. There’s plenty of grassy areas available throughout the parklands for their toileting needs. 

Clem Jones Promenade and The Arbour feature wide and level concrete pathways. The Rainforest Walk, Nepalese Pegoda and Flowstate pavilion offer ramped access. Streets Beach also offers ease of access, with ramped access into the water at Boat Pool, and all-ability access to the interactive water play area known at Aquativity. A beach wheelchair is available to help with access to the three pools. Please see the friendly staff at the Visitor Information Centre. Kaohsiung Place features tables with movable chairs and accessible roll-under barbecues designed for wheelchair users. Seating and accessible toilets are spaced throughout the parklands for your convenience. 

The Mobility Centre at City Hall provides free loans of mobility devices for use within Brisbane's City Centre, Southbank Parklands and the Southbank Cultural Precinct. Wheelchairs, wheeled walkers and single prams can be borrowed for long or short periods, depending on availability. The centre is located on the ground floor of Brisbane City Hall and is open daily. To make a booking or for more information phone Council on 07 3014 4702.