South Bank Travel Guide

Brisbane

South Bank
South Bank showing a temple or place of worship, modern architecture and night scenes
South Bank featuring flowers, a city and street scenes
South Bank featuring night scenes
South Bank featuring a city, modern architecture and a bridge
This popular waterfront playground is a perfect place to shake off the city heat and enjoy some typical Australian hospitality.

South Bank was created for the 1988 World Expo and when the fair left town the venue remained as a free facility for the people of Brisbane to enjoy. The waterfront park is packed with a variety of attractions, making it a magnet for locals and visitors alike. Spend a day chilling out Australian-style and get a flavour of the indigenous way of life.

Make your way through the vibrant bougainvillea blossoms of the Grand Arbour to enter the parklands and head straight for a refreshing dip in the tropical waters of Streets Beach. Adults will enjoy watching the kids having fun in the waterpark while they relax in the shade of a palm tree. There are lockers for rent to stash your stuff in while you swim.

When it’s time to eat you’ll be spoilt for choice. The riverfront is lined with stylish restaurants where you can sample a cornucopia of world cuisines at your leisure, or grab a quick sandwich from one of the park’s kiosks. Do it yourself with a picnic spread, or opt for a liquid lunch in a typical Australian pub – try The Ship Inn, an old sailors’ haunt dating from 1864, for authentic atmosphere. While you’re there, pop into the Maritime Museum opposite to see a World War II naval frigate and other historic artifacts.

There’s always something going on at South Bank, ranging from sporting events, music festivals in the public stadium, or free entertainment from talented street artists. At weekends the park fills up with market stalls where you can browse to your heart’s content and maybe pick up a bargain from the huge variety of local crafts, clothing, jewellery and accessories.

One of the best ways to see Brisbane is from the top of the giant Ferris wheel, and no visit to South Bank is complete without taking a ride in one of its gondolas. At the foot of the wheel is a miniature rain forest enclosing the Nepal Peace Pagoda, one of only three outside Nepal, which features a beautiful tea house on the second level.

Reaching South Bank is easy by ferry or bus on-site parking is available but can be expensive.


Popular places to visit


Top hotels in South Bank

Rydges South Bank
Rydges South Bank
4.5 out of 5
9 Glenelg Street, South Bank, South Brisbane, QLD
The price is ₹12,504 per night from 23 Mar to 24 Mar
₹12,504
₹13,755 total
includes taxes & fees
23 Mar - 24 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Brisbane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, 3 restaurants and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,008 reviews)
"Loved the spacious room."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2025

Rydges South Bank
Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank
Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank
4.5 out of 5
218 Vulture Street, South Brisbane, QLD
The price is ₹9,466 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
₹9,466
₹10,413 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Mar - 10 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star business-friendly hotel in Brisbane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (599 reviews)
"Great location, lovely staff. Polite, professional and efficient. Great breakfast, fresh and cooked well. Happy to reccomend."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2025

Courtyard by Marriott Brisbane South Bank
Novotel Brisbane South Bank Hotel
Novotel Brisbane South Bank Hotel
4.5 out of 5
38 Cordelia Street, South Brisbane, QLD
The price is ₹11,027 per night from 16 Mar to 17 Mar
₹11,027
₹12,130 total
includes taxes & fees
16 Mar - 17 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Brisbane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Great hotel"

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2025

Novotel Brisbane South Bank Hotel
Emporium Hotel South Bank
Emporium Hotel South Bank
5 out of 5
267 Grey St, South Brisbane, QLD
The price is ₹20,594 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
₹20,594
₹22,654 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Mar - 10 Mar
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Brisbane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the pool and the bar in their reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (1,001 reviews)
""I still feel the hotel needs more attention to detail. Maybe it’s just me, but I notice small things that aren’t done, and with a price tag like Emporium’s, everything should be flawless. The glasses in the bathrooms were cracked, my bed wasn’t made one day, and they provided body lotion in the ..."

Reviewed on 26 Feb 2025

Emporium Hotel South Bank
Arena Apartments by CLLIX
Arena Apartments by CLLIX
4 out of 5
9 Edmondstone Street, South Brisbane, QLD
The price is ₹15,056 per night from 27 Feb to 28 Feb
₹15,056
₹16,561 total
includes taxes & fees
27 Feb - 28 Feb
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Brisbane. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a fitness centre and parking (surcharge). Popular attractions XXXX Brewery and South Bank Parklands ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,714 reviews)
"Great property very easy to check in/ out"

Reviewed on 15 Feb 2025

Arena Apartments by CLLIX
Mantra South Bank Brisbane
Mantra South Bank Brisbane
4.5 out of 5
161 Grey Street, South Bank, South Brisbane, QLD
The price is ₹11,908 per night from 9 Mar to 10 Mar
₹11,908
₹11,908 total
includes taxes & fees
9 Mar - 10 Mar
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury hotel in Brisbane. Enjoy breakfast (surcharge), room service and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
Central
"Great location and large rooms."

Reviewed on 24 Feb 2025

Mantra South Bank Brisbane
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around South Bank

South Bank which includes flowers, a city and a river or creek

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Woolloongabba featuring a city and skyline

Woolloongabba

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Woolloongabba
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Default Image

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4.5/5(124 area reviews)

Are you interested in beautiful gardens, stunning river views and popular shops? A visit to Brisbane Central Business District might be the perfect thing. You can also explore top sights like Brisbane Customs House and Waterfront Brisbane.

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Kangaroo Point showing a bay or harbour, night scenes and a city

Kangaroo Point

The ample dining options and beautiful river views are top of the list for many visitors to Kangaroo Point. A stop by Kangaroo Point Cliffs or Holman Street Ferry Terminal might round out your trip.

Kangaroo Point
Milton featuring signage and a city

Milton

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Milton


South Bank Travel Guide