South Bank Parklands: A Complete Guide to Brisbane's Riverside Playground!

South Bank Parklands, located in the heart of Brisbane, is a sprawling 16-hectare hotspot popular among local families! With over 10 million independent tourists visiting annually, it's definitely a must-see destination for anyone visiting Brisbane.

Here's a summary of the top attractions within South Bank Parklands. Generally, it takes about 2-3 hours to explore the park, but if you're planning to swim, visit indoor exhibitions, or spend more time, many visitors stay for half a day or even a whole day. It all depends on your preferences, but hopefully, this guide will be helpful for your itinerary planning!

(Brisbane, Australia's third-largest city, defies the stereotype of a bustling, high-rise metropolis. In the city center, you can lounge on the beach, enjoy the urban scenery, cycle, stroll, BBQ, picnic, and take ferries, making it an incredibly relaxing place.)

1. The Wheel of Brisbane

The first thing you'll notice upon arriving at South Bank Parklands is the towering Wheel of Brisbane. Similar to other attractions in Australian cities like Melbourne Star and Sydney Darling Harbour, visitors can enjoy stunning city views from the Ferris wheel. Even if you don't ride it, the beautiful Ferris wheel and surrounding scenery are worth a visit!

◎ Address: The Wheel of Brisbane, South Brisbane, Queensland
◎ Transportation: Take the train to South Brisbane Station, then walk for about 4 minutes (Find Car Hire Deals | Car rental in Australia)
◎ Cost: Adults $19.95; Students & Seniors $18.05; Children $15.2 (under 3 free); Family (2 adults + 2 children) $61.75
◎ Recommended itineraries: Brisbane Sightseeing Day Tour｜Brisbane Half-Day Tour & Cruise Sightseeing｜Brisbane 4-Day Tour
◎ Official website: The Wheel of Brisbane
◎ Nearby accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare & Save)

(The Ferris wheel is stunning during both day and night, offering different ambiances!)

(As the Brisbane Wheel is a super landmark in Brisbane, there are often many events held in the surrounding area. As mentioned in the "Top 5 Christmas and New Year events in Brisbane", visitors who happen to be in the area can refer to these events.)

(At the riverside next to the Brisbane Wheel, visitors can enjoy the cityscape of Brisbane. At night, they can also see the city's different appearances. It's not just beautiful, it's stunning!)

2. Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC)

If you're in Brisbane and want to experience local or international performing arts, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) located within the park is an excellent choice. With captivating performances from around the world, it's a popular leisure activity for many Australians and a great place to immerse yourself in Western culture and social environment.

◎ Address: Corner Melbourne St and Grey St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
◎ Transportation: Take the train to South Brisbane Station, then walk for about 3 minutes (Find Car Hire Deals | Car rental in Australia)
◎ Ticket prices: Vary depending on the performance; see the official website link below for details
◎ Official website: QPAC
◎ Nearby accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare & Save)

(The Performing Arts Center is located right next to the Brisbane Wheel. Some performances are scheduled at night, so occasionally, you'll see the place teeming with people even in the evening. Of course, it could also be because of the bunch of bars nearby. That's the Australian way of life, ha!)

(I have personally seen a few musicals at QPAC and loved the performances each time. It's truly a great spot that integrates into the local lifestyle.)

3. Queensland Maritime Museum

Similar to other Australian maritime museums, like the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney and the Western Australian Maritime Museum, Brisbane's Queensland Maritime Museum houses a vast collection of maritime-related art, books, documents, and photographic records. You can also explore real, large ships docked at the harbor, located at the southern end of South Bank Parklands. If you're interested in nautical and naval history and artifacts, this is the perfect attraction for you!

◎ Address: 412 Stanley St, South Brisbane QLD 4101
◎ Transportation: Take the train to South Bank Station, then walk for about 5 minutes (Find Car Hire Deals | Car rental in Australia)
◎ Ticket prices: Adults $18; Students, Seniors, etc. $15; Family (2 adults + up to 3 children under 15) $42; Children $8
◎ Official website: Queensland Maritime Museum
◎ Nearby accommodations: Booking︱Agoda︱Hotels︱Expedia (Compare & Save)

(Apart from the various exhibits housed within the museum, the most spectacular sight is the real, large ships docked inside, allowing visitors to experience and admire maritime-related artifacts up close.)

4. Park Area

Next, let's introduce the other parts of South Bank Parklands, which I personally consider "the best area in Brisbane city center." South Bank Parklands was originally the venue for the 1988 World Expo and was initially planned to be a residential area, but due to residents' protests, this beautiful space was preserved.

The park is rich in recreational facilities, catering to people of all ages, and what sets it apart from the previously mentioned attractions is that everything in the park is free! The biggest highlight of the park is the famous artificial beach and The Arbor Walkway. Many local families come here to play in the water during holidays, and numerous events are held near the beach. While enjoying swimming and sunbathing, you can also appreciate the beautiful riverside and city views, making it a truly unique experience and enjoyment!

◎ Address: South Bank Parklands, South Brisbane QLD
◎ Transportation: Take the train to South Brisbane station and walk for about 5 minutes (Find Car Hire Deals | Car rental in Australia)
◎ Recommended itinerary: Brisbane Sightseeing Day Tour｜Brisbane 4-Day Tour
◎ Restrooms and shower facilities: About 5-10 (free)
◎ Official website: South Bank
◎ Nearby accommodations: Booking｜Agoda｜Hotels｜Expedia (Compare & Save)

(The "Brisbane" sign at the entrance of South Bank Parklands is a must-visit photo spot for tourists. Taking a picture here is a symbol of having visited Brisbane.)

(That day, I had a BBQ in South Bank Parklands with friends from Japan, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. When I first came to Brisbane, I was curious and envious of these "public facilities" because I often saw BBQs in various parks, which are free for anyone to use without any application procedures or fees. BBQ is truly a part of Australians' lives! Another interesting thing to note is that drinking is actually prohibited in public places in Australia, but it's hard to enforce this rule during a BBQ. Therefore, an amusing regulation was established that allows drinking near BBQ facilities from 10 am to 8 pm.)

(Near the picnic and BBQ area, there is a beach and many children's play facilities, making it a popular destination for families and a paradise for kids!)

(Another feature of the park is the "Arbor Walkway" that runs through the entire South Bank Parklands. Not only is it beautiful, but it also provides shade from the scorching sun, which is important in Brisbane, Australia's famous and warm Sunshine City!)

(Are there any good restaurants here? Located within the park, "Stanley Street Plaza" is a food street that combines various restaurants. There are also many snack shops and eateries nearby, offering main courses, drinks, and desserts. If you get hungry in the park, this is the right place to go!)

(Did you know? Kaohsiung is Brisbane's sister city! In South Bank Parklands, you can find a monument commemorating the friendly relationship with Kaohsiung. It's heartwarming to see traditional Chinese characters in a foreign land as a Taiwanese!)

(Due to the 1988 World Expo, the "Nepalese Pagoda" in the park is a cultural building exhibited at the Expo, and it is now preserved as one of only three Nepalese Pagodas outside Nepal.)

(Along the riverside, there is a pedestrian and bicycle path where people often walk and ride bicycles on weekdays. Apart from the comfortable scenery and environment, you can also find many ferry stations that can take you to destinations like the University of Queensland and Eat Street Markets, as well as enjoy the riverside view on cruises like the MV Mirimar.)

(The park frequently hosts various events, such as the "Weekend Market" every weekend. Pictured is the annual Buddha Birth Day Festival, which showcases a blend of Asian culture. I find the fusion of Eastern and Western elements quite beautiful!)

(The most important and significant feature of the park is undoubtedly the beautiful artificial beach! In the summer, this place is always filled with adults and children playing in the water, and there are dedicated children's pools and lifeguards. If you visit Brisbane, don't miss the unique experience of swimming next to the city center!)

The above is an introduction to the attractions within South Bank Parklands. I really love South Bank Parklands in Brisbane and visit it often. Various fun activities in the city are always held here, and I believe that after your visit, you will fall in love with this place as well!