HOWARD SMITH WHARVES

Welcome to Howard Smith Wharves!

Tucked beneath Brisbane’s iconic Story Bridge, Howard Smith Wharves (or HSW for short) stands as the beating heart of the city’s entertainment scene. Here, along the northern bank of the Brisbane River you’ll discover a kaleidoscope of flavours, sounds and experiences. Explore the oasis of culinary delights and artistic endeavours – an ever-evolving dining and entertainment destination that pulses with energy.

As the city life hums above, Howard Smith Wharves invites guests to play, indulge and embrace life to the fullest along the serene riverfront. The Brisbane skyline makes for a breathtaking backdrop as the precinct stretches along 500 metres of waterfront, inviting everyone to relax and relish in its restaurants, cafés, bars, event spaces and a luxury hotel. At the heart of the precinct is the multi-awarded Felons Brewing Co., where the aroma of craft brews wafts through the air, welcoming locals and visitors alike to enjoy the good life with a chilled pint in hand.

Howard Smith Wharves is more than just an entertainment precinct; it’s a microcosm of Brisbane’s cultural diversity. It seamlessly weaves the city’s working heritage and wharfage history into its modern tapestry, creating a vibrant dining and entertainment precinct for all to enjoy. Whether you’ve come to enjoy a private or public event in one of the diverse venues or you’re just looking for a serene stroll by the river, HSW has you covered. The precinct celebrates the energy and history of Brisbane, promising a place to revel, indulge and embrace the good life.

The Heritage and History of Howard Smith Wharves

The history of Howard Smith Wharves is deeply reflective of the history of the city itself. First constructed in the 1930s along the Brisbane River, it provided labour opportunities during the challenging times of the Great Depression. After a few decades of being used as a wharf by Howard Smith Company Limited, the site lay dormant from 1960 to 2018, when the historical value of the remaining intact buildings was appreciated as an incredible opportunity. Its subsequent redevelopment mirrors Brisbane’s evolution from Queensland’s industrial heart to its cultural hub.

The meticulous restoration of heritage structures honours their original architecture while adding layers of contemporary design and flair, creating a unique juxtaposition of history and modernity. The wharves stand as a testament to the successful preservation of Brisbane’s built, environmental and cultural heritage.

Visitors are invited to explore thoughtfully designed public spaces, where landscaped gardens, signage and the venues themselves incorporate and evoke the wharves’ rich history. The precinct’s commitment to heritage preservation was recognised when Howard Smith Wharves became the first site in Brisbane to achieve Heritage Hero Status, bestowed by the National Trust. It’s still the only precinct in Queensland to have achieved this accolade.

Indulge Your Taste Buds

Howard Smith Wharves is a gastronomic heaven, where you’ll find a wide range of cuisines and dining styles to match your tastes and budget. Start your day with breakfast or brunch at Mews, fresh pastries and locally roasted coffee at Felons Café or a light bite at Gigi’s Café. For long, lazy lunches or family dinners, try Ciao Papi’s Italian kitchen, whose menus are designed to be shared among friends. Or you could try a sizzling fusion of traditional Cantonese and local produce at the riverside restaurant, Stanley. With Yoko Japanese and Greca Greek Taverna as riverfront options, too – not to mention Betty’s Burgers for a bite on the go – there’s something for everyone.

Sip on expertly crafted cocktails in the sun-soaked ambience at Mr Percival’s, a chic overwater bar inspired by Europe’s lively beach clubs, where the gentle lapping of the river is almost designed to help you relax. For those with a penchant for more robust flavours, Felons Barrel Hall offers a menu of bright, fresh and eclectic dishes with a Southeast Asian influence. This contemporary space celebrates the magic of barrel-aged beer and is a sensory riot of sound, colour and flavour. Or, for something completely different, you can enjoy stellar 360-degree views across the Brisbane River from the Fiume Rooftop Bar at Crystalbrook Vincent, a glamorous urban oasis featuring a spectacular infinity pool and day beds for guests of the hotel.

From dawn to late in the evening, Howard Smith Wharves offers a banquet of sensory delights, each menu a culinary experience waiting to be shared with friends and family. Whether it’s a leisurely brunch or a lavish evening feast, the precinct’s first-rate, diverse gastronomy ensures every dining experience will become a cherished memory.

Why Not Stay at Howard Smith Wharves?

The precinct is home to Crystalbrook Vincent, a sanctuary of sustainable five-star luxury and modern elegance. This unique hotel complements the vibrant precinct perfectly, offering an urban retreat that promises both comfort and adventure. As guests step inside, they are surrounded by a blend of dynamic design and artistic refinement, its walls adorned with more than 500 prints by acclaimed Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo.

The tranquil ambience of Crystalbrook Vincent is a testament to its eco-conscious philosophy, where every element, from upcycled furnishings to 100% waste-free bathrooms, embodies a commitment to responsible luxury. Each of its 166 rooms and suites is fully equipped with modern conveniences, including fast Wi-Fi, a tablet control centre, a 55-inch smart TV with casting for an immersive entertainment experience and a Nespresso machine. Choose your room for spectacular views of the Story Bridge, the Brisbane skyline or lush greenery.

Crystalbrook Vincent invites you to stay a bit longer to experience a whole lot more of Brisbane!

It’s Easy to Have Fun at Howard Smith Wharves

Howard Smith Wharves is where creativity, culture and joy come together. It’s one of the best places to feel the vibrant pulse of Brisbane as the precinct hosts a wide array of activities and events, from weekly to annual. Whether it’s a serene riverside walk or an exhilarating adventure that you’re looking for, Howard Smith Wharves won’t disappoint.

For thrill-seekers, the Story Bridge Adventure Climb presents a unique way to experience Brisbane’s stunning vistas. One of only three bridge climbs in the world, guests can choose to ascend during twilight, day, night, or under the mesmerizing gaze of the full moon, each climb offering a completely different perspective of the city’s sweeping skyline and surrounds – from the Glass House Mountains in the north to Moreton Bay in the east and stretching towards the Scenic Rim Mountains to the south.

Weekly events include Harry’s trivia night at Felons Barrel Hall every Wednesday, beer yoga every Wednesday on the Felons Fish ’n’ Chipper Lawn and Felons Brewery Tours every weekend, in addition to a line-up of live music acts at Felons Barrel Hall. Kids eat free from 11am to 3pm every Sunday at Community Family Fun Day at Felons Barrel Hall with fun and games aplenty to keep the little ones entertained. Enjoy the river views while the kids have a blast with free family activities, face painting and balloon twisting at the Barrel Hall, or head over to Felons Fish ’n’ Chipper for a reptile show!

The ever-changing Rivergarden space shows major sporting events live on a six-metre screen. And you can join in the calendar of events such as The Great Artist Market, Global Champagne Day or the Seasonal Fruit Music Festivals.

For a more relaxing time, abundant lawns and open areas offer an opportunity to escape from the bustle of the precinct. The rhythmic notes of live music and the faint clinking of glasses create a delightful soundtrack to gatherings, whether under the warm Queensland sun or beneath a canopy of stars. Year-round, from dawn till dusk and beyond, Howard Smith Wharves offers an enticing array of recreational choices to suit every taste.

How to Get Here

There are several options for reaching Howard Smith Wharves. Positioned conveniently along Brisbane’s riverfront in the shadow of the beautiful cliffs of Bowen Terrace means there are various transport options. 

If arriving on foot or in a wheelchair, the City Reach Boardwalk and New Farm Riverwalk provide picturesque options, with lifts available from Bowen Terrace. Cyclists can enjoy the shared cycle and pedestrian path running through the precinct, providing access from the New Farm Riverwalk to Brisbane City. Howard Smith Wharves has 50 public bicycle spaces and 33 employee bicycle spaces to encourage greener transport choices.

For those arriving by bus, Adelaide Street stop 31 and Queen Street stop 67 near Ann Street are the closest bus stops, each about a five to 10 minute walk from the precinct. Central Station and Fortitude Valley Station are the most convenient train stations to access the precinct, a 15 to 20-minute walk from each. Possibly the easiest and most scenic way to arrive directly at the precinct is with the CityHopper and CityCat ferry services. Visitors using public transport should use the TransLink website to plan their journey.

A designated pick-up and drop-off zone is located at 5 Boundary Street, Brisbane City for quick and easy access via taxi or ride-share. Howard Smith Wharves has its own, paid underground car park, but there is alternative car parking located on Bowen Terrace above the cliffs or nearby at Secure Parking Emirates Car Park in Eagle Street, a three-minute walk along the river. Secure Parking Chinatown Car Park and Secure Parking 388 Brunswick Street Car Park are both a 10-minute walk away.

Accessibility

Howard Smith Wharves champions inclusivity, and is proud to provide a welcoming space where visitors can enjoy everything it has to offer without hindrance. Lifts on Bowen Terrace and designated drop-off zones cater to those with mobility needs. People using mobility aids will be happy to learn surfaces are flat bitumen, concrete or wooden decking. From the underground HSW Car Park, where there are 10 accessible parking bays, guests have direct lift access to the precinct above. Note that Felons Fish ‘n’ Chipper upper deck is accessible via stairs only.

There are several accessible bathrooms in Howard Smith Wharves’ various events spaces and venues. HSW welcomes assistance animals, and there are grassy areas located towards the New Farm end of the precinct. Many of the venues including Felons Brewing Co., Felons Fish ‘n’ Chipper, Felons Barrel Hall and Mr Percival’s are equipped with QR codes and digital menus that patrons will appreciate being able to access on their own devices. 

People with sensory sensitivities looking for areas away from the hustle and bustle of the precinct should head for the Main Lawn on days that the space isn’t hosting an event. Howard Smith Wharves is located at 5 Boundary St, Brisbane City.