Brisbane South Bank Parklands

South Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, at South Bank, directly opposite the Brisbane central business district. The parklands are connected to the Brisbane CBD by the Victoria Bridge at the northern end, and the Queensland University of Technology and Brisbane City Botanic Gardens by the Goodwill Bridge at the southern end.

There are numerous attractions at the parklands including the Wheel of Brisbane, a swimming lagoon with sandy beaches, the South Bank Arbour, rainforest walks, picnic areas and a picturesque riverfront promenade. Entertainment venues at South Bank Parklands include the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and Suncorp Piazza.

Following the Brisbane River along the southern side of the city, the South Bank parkland offers fabulous and attractive walkways, and pretty views and scenery. There is often plenty of live entertainment and attractions throughout the day and evening.

Amongst South Bank’s attractive parkland there is even its own man-made beach, making it a great place to relax. There are also a wide range of restaurants and cafes to choose from with al fresco dining overlooking the river. If you’d prefer to do your own cooking then there are a number of picnic and BBQ areas along the South Bank.

It’s estimated that 9 million people visit South Bank Parklands each year, which pretty much makes it a *must see* while in Brisbane.

Attractions

The Wheel of Brisbane

The Wheel of Brisbane was erected at the parklands in August 2008 as a special 20th Anniversary of World Expo 88 and 150th Anniversary of Queensland 1859-2009 initiative. It is 60 metres high and allows a panoramic view of the City and South Bank. It is a fifteen minute ride.

Restaurants, Coffee Shops

South Bank is a restaurant and coffee shop mecca, with a strong cosmopolitan flavour from all over the world, reflecting the many different restaurants and establishments at World Expo 88.

South Bank Arbour

Replacing the earlier artificial water canal is the South Bank Arbour, a natural purple bouganvillea-entwined walk that extends the length of the Parklands around an imaginative steel tendril support. The bouganvillea grows along the supports and flowers all year round.

The South Bank Arbour is an award winning horticultural masterpiece that meanders through the parkland for close to a kilometre. Bougainvillea plants provide a canopy of magenta during the day with colourful mood lighting adding to the relaxing atmosphere in the evening. In addition, there are often festivals and performances during the summer.

Streets Beach

T major feature within the parkland is its man-made beach, which is 2000 square metres of free-formed concrete surrounded by 4000 cubic metres of sand. The sand surrounding the beach is sourced from the Rous Channel in Moreton Bay and every year the beach is topped up with an additional 70 tonnes to ensure that it is kept in pristine condition. Almost half of the lagoon area sits on reclaimed land that was once the Brisbane River.

Streets Beach facts:

* Designed by: Desmond Brookes International
* Landscape Architect: Media 5
* Constructed by: Fletcher Jennings Construction and Water and Industrial Engineering
* Construction Commenced: February 1991
* Construction Completed: June 1992
* Awards:
o 1999 Moreton Bay region’s cleanest beach in the Keep Australia Beautiful Council’s Clean Beach Challenge.
o 2001 Environmental Protection Agency’s Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge, Friendliest Beach Award

The beach area comprises a lagoon with enough water to fill five Olympic swimming pools, with sand beaches, palm trees, rocky creeks and subtropical trees and exotic plantings. The beach is patrolled seven days a week by lifeguards.

The lagoon contains chlorinated fresh water that is recirculated every six hours at up to 125 litres per second. Water for the beach is pumped through two large sand filters and chemically treated before being pumped back into the pools. Dredge pump and self-propelled sifting machines clean the adjoining pools