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South Bank Parklands

Free riverside parkland across the water from the CBD, open 5am to midnight every day, with a lifeguard-patrolled lagoon and boat pool, free electric barbecues, riverside lawns and its own CityCat terminal.

South Brisbane

  • With the kids
  • Big group
  • Date night
  • Table for one
  • Cheap eats

Photograph reused under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike, credited above and linked to its source. It has been resized and re-encoded for the web, and that modified copy is offered under the same licence.

Call 07 3867 2111

No booking or ticket — the parklands are free and open to the public. Dogs and cats are welcome on a leash and under effective control, but "Animals (except for guide dogs, hearing dogs, assistance dogs, or trainee support dogs) are not permitted in the pool system or adjacent areas, including the stream, beach and boat pool ramp." Alcohol "is permitted in designated licensed areas - River Quay, Picnic Island Green and Riverside Green - between 10am and 8pm, provided you are of legal drinking age and are consuming substantial food with your drinks. Please note, South Bank is alcohol-free during major events such as Riverfire, New Year's Eve and Australia Day for public safety reasons." Smoking and vaping are prohibited outside signed designated areas.

Booking via walk in only · checked 2026-08-25

The story

"South Bank is the natural heart of the city. It's a place where people are drawn together to experience the very best of our quintessential Queensland lifestyle. From soaking up green spaces and lounging on white sand, to discovering unique events and indulging in an endless line-up of restaurants, bars and cafes – there is something for everyone to discover at South Bank." On the lagoon: "Streets Beach is more than 30 years old and is much-loved by visitors, with hundreds of thousands of people swimming at the beach each year."

In their words, from their site· checked 2026-08-25

What you can do a sample

  • Entry to the parklands

    "Entry to South Bank is completely free, and you can enjoy its public spaces and facilities at no cost."

  • Streets Beach, the Boat Pool and Aquativity

    "Streets Beach, the Boat Pool and Aquativity are all free to use and open to the public during operating hours." Qualified lifeguards patrol all swimming areas during operating hours. "Small personal items are permitted. Food and non-alcoholic drinks may be consumed in designated areas around the pools but are not permitted in the water. Glass, alcohol, large inflatables and other prohibited items are not allowed in pool areas." At the time of checking, Streets Beach was closed for maintenance while the Boat Pool and Aquativity remained open.

  • Free electric barbecues

    "South Bank offers several free-to-use electric barbecue facilities located at Picnic Island Green, Riverside Green Pavilion, and near Riverside Playground and Aquativity. These operate on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend arriving early during busy periods. During major events such as Riverfire and New Year's Eve, the barbecue facilities are closed for visitor safety."

  • Pool and beach wheelchair hire
    • 120 min

    "The South Bank Visitor Information Centre (located in Stanley Street Plaza) provides both a purpose-built pool wheelchair and a beach wheelchair for hire. These wheelchairs are free to use for up to two hours. When hiring any wheelchair, you'll need to present photo ID and leave a $50 refundable deposit, which will be returned upon the wheelchair's safe return."

Prices as at 2026-08-25. They change —the venue's own pricing is the authority.

Good to know

  • Wheelchair accessible
  • Accessible bathroom
  • Licensed
  • Outdoor seating
  • Dog friendly
  • Paid parking nearby

"Parking is available at the South Bank car park, located on Little Stanley Street. Entry points are via Tribune Street or Glenelg Street. Both drive-in and pre-booked parking options are offered." "Parking rates start at $3 for the morning special." The car park has eight accessible spaces, lift access from both north and south entrances, four electric vehicle charging bays on Level 1 Section E, and a height restriction of 2.1 metres.

"South Bank is well serviced by public transport – including bus, metro, train and ferry. The precinct is connected to Brisbane's busway with buses and metros departing regularly from South Bank and Cultural Centre stations. It also has two train stations, South Bank and South Brisbane, as well as its own CityCat ferry terminal with services operating every day along our river network." CityCats stop at the South Bank River Terminal on the Clem Jones Promenade, and the free City Hopper visits South Bank daily.

Only what the venue states itself. Anything not listed here we haven't verified — worth a call if it matters.