Southbank, Brisbane

The Southbank Parklands are a really nice area to be in, and it's a good place to go for a walk and chill out for an afternoon. There are plenty of bars and cafes, music performances and other special events, details of which can be found on the website below.

Southbank is an oasis in the middle of Brisbane city. Take a towel and a newspaper/magazine and lie on the beach. Get there early because theres a lot of people in Brisbane and the little beach can't hold everyone. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants and fast food places or if your on a budget take a picnic.

There are markets, an entertainment pavillion, conservatorium, souvenier shops, a pub, newsagent, restaurants, a nepalese peace pagoda, cultural centre, tranquil chinese gardens and so much more.

Built on the Expo 88 site, South Bank has become a mecca for locals and visitors to Brisbane. It's a great place for a picnic, a stroll or ride along the river front, an evening out or a family gathering. On special events, the places is packed, and there is often fireworks displays. South Bank is across the river from the City, and you can walk across the bridge or catch the bus/ train/ ferry/Citycat. Parking is also available. The Queensland museum, State library and Performing Arts Complex and Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre are also all located around South Bank.

The parklands includes:

Picnic facilities:
Spread across the parklands and overlooking gardens, the beach, Brisbane city and the river, facilities include BBQ's, covered seating areas, water and public toilets. You can bring your own food or opt for something from the numerous snack bars and take away places.

On hot summer days in Brisbane, locals and tourists flock to South Bank to cool off at the beach, situated in the middle of South Bank, overlooking the city. The beach is patrolled by a life guard, but if you don't want to get wet you can relax on the sand and enjoy the view. If you're looking for a place to enjoy the quiet, avoid South Bank in summer!!

Weekend markets:
The South Bank Art and Craft markets, which operates Friday 5pm until10pm, Saturday 11am until 5pm, and Sunday 9am until 5pm. The Farmers and Fresh Seafood markets are held from 7am to 12 noon on every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month.

Restaurants, bars and coffee shops:
South Bank and the surrounding area has developed into a funky little community of restaurants and bars. The cuisine varies (check out the website for a full list), as do the prices, but there are some good eats to be found.

For information about upcoming events, accommodation options and any other information you'd like about South Bank, contact the Visitor Information Centre.

Stanley Street Plaza, South Bank
PO Box 2001
SOUTH BANK QLD 4101

The Ferris Wheel is one of the newest attractions at Southbank. It was built to celebrate the 20 year anniversary of World Expo '88, at South Bank Parklands

This huge, 60 metre Ferris Wheel gives you spectacular views over the CBD and South Bank areas and much further. No worries about getting too hot in one of the 42 Gondola's, they are all climate controlled!
Evidently, it is not going to remain here for ever, only 2 years, so if you want a ride on it, go now, before its too late!

OPEN....7 days a week from 10AM - 10PM

COST in 2011.... $15 for adults, $10 for children 12 years and under, $2 for children aged between one and three.

THE RIDE TAKES.....15 minutes

The thing I would suggest travelers to do while in Brisbane city itself, is to go and have a swim at our man made beach. The attraction of this is it's almost in the middle of our growing CBD. It is very different going to the beach when your almost in the middle of town. Best of all, it's free. Head down the highway about an hour and visit four of the best theme parks in the Southern Hemosphere.

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Southbank is a lovely recreation area on the banks of the Brisbane river. It is situated where Expo was once held.
There are all sorts of things to do here, lots of people enjoy the man made lagoon area. The walks around are nice, the Bouganvillea arches just beautiful when in bloom. There are Markets on the weekend! Plenty of nice outdoor eating areas, whether you bring your own for a BBQ or have a meal at a Restaurant or an outdoor Cafe.

Parking is available if you come by car, but its very expensive [$14]
You can walk to Southbank from the city centre, the bus service is good, or catch the Train and get off at Southbank or South Brisbane Stations and there is the City cat river ferry that will drop you off right there!

All up, its an enjoyable place for the whole family.

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The site of the original settlement, this area of Brisbane was damaged in the floods of 1893. The CBD was moved to the north side of the river and the area became industrialised and run-down. It was given a new lease on life when used for the World Expo 88 site. After Expo the area was transformed into parkland.

There you can find rainforest, grassy areas, a beach, the riverside promenade and a beautiful avenue shaded by an arbour of bougainvillea. There are also shops and restaurants, a Nepalese pagoda gifted by Nepal after Expo and the more recent addition - the Wheel of Brisbane. South Bank is also the home of the Queensland Conservatorium of Music.

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In 1988, Brisbane hosted World Expo and the area of Brisbane just south of the Victoria Bridge was developed as the site for Expo. It had, up till that time, been rather a seedy part of town and for many many years, was where you would find the fish markets. Suffice to say, major work had to be done to get it ready for Expo.
Expo88 was a huge success and one of the legacies to Brisbane of this fabulous six months was that the site was redeveloped again after Expo to give us what today is known as Southbank Parklands.
The park and gardens are exquisite with many a little bridge or rockpool to be seen. The prime feature however, would have to be the artificial beach which has pride of place in a large section right in the middle. Here you can swim under the watchful eye of a lifeguard, free of charge. There are plenty of showers and facilitities available to make it comfortable.
There are plenty of lovely restaurants, ice creameries and other food outlets on hand as well as barbecue areas (no liquor allowed).
There are markets held in the park on weekends and when you have seen enough, you can go and stroll along the river or just sit and watch the world go by.
Southbank is serviced by both the CityCat and the City Ferry as well as buses and trains. This is a hugely important must see for any visitors to Brisbane.