South Bank Parklands, Brisbane
Encyclopedia
The South Bank Parklands are located at South Bank
South Bank, Queensland
South Bank is a cultural, educational and recreational precinct in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The precinct is located in the suburb of South Brisbane, on the southern bank of the Brisbane River.-South Bank Parklands:...
in Brisbane
Brisbane
Brisbane is the capital and most populous city in the Australian state of Queensland and the third most populous city in Australia. Brisbane's metropolitan area has a population of over 2 million, and the South East Queensland urban conurbation, centred around Brisbane, encompasses a population of...
, Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
. The parkland, on the transformed site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, was officially opened to the public on 20 June 1992.
Overview
The South Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the Brisbane RiverBrisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
, at South Bank
South Bank, Queensland
South Bank is a cultural, educational and recreational precinct in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The precinct is located in the suburb of South Brisbane, on the southern bank of the Brisbane River.-South Bank Parklands:...
, directly opposite the City
Brisbane central business district
The Brisbane central business district , sometimes referred to as the city, is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and is located on a point on the northern bank of the Brisbane River. The triangular shaped area is bounded by the Brisbane River to the east, south and west...
. The parklands are connected to the City by the Victoria Bridge
Victoria Bridge, Brisbane
The Victoria Bridge is a vehicular and pedestrian bridge over the Brisbane River. The current bridge, opened in 1969, is the third permanent crossing erected at this location...
at the northern end, and to Gardens Point by the Goodwill Bridge
Goodwill Bridge, Brisbane
The Goodwill Bridge is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge which spans the Brisbane River in Brisbane Australia, linking the South Bank Parklands / Queensland Museum on the southside, to the Gardens Point Campus of the Queensland University of Technology on the northside.The Goodwill Bridge was opened...
at the southern end.
The parklands consist of a mixture of rainforest, water, grassed areas and plazas as well as features such as the riverfront promenade, the Streets Beach, the Grand Arbour, the Suncorp Piazza, the Nepal Peace Pagoda
Nepal Peace Pagoda
The Nepal Peace Pagoda in Brisbane, Australia, is located at the transformed Brisbane World Expo '88 site, South Bank Parklands. It is one of the most significant heritage items in Brisbane from the hosting of the Expo.-Origins:...
, the Wheel of Brisbane
Wheel of Brisbane
The Wheel of Brisbane is a tall transportable Ferris wheel installation erected as part of the 20th anniversary of World Expo 88 and the 150th anniversary of the State of Queensland 1859–2009 celebrations....
, restaurants, shops and fountains. The parklands are also home to the Queensland Conservatorium.
South Bank and its parklands are one of Brisbane's most important cultural precincts and they regularly host large scale festivals and events. Approximately 11,000,000 people visit South Bank Parklands each year.
History
South Bank was originally a meeting place for the traditional landowners, the TurrbalTurrbal
The Turrbal are a tribe of Australian Aboriginal people who inhabited the region around the city of Brisbane before European settlement of Australia. Tom Petrie, an early pioneer of Brisbane, shows the kind and trustworthy nature of the Turrbal people. He demonstrates how they were forgiving, even...
and Yuggera people and, in the early 1840s it became the central focus point of early European settlement. From the 1850s, South Bank Precinct was quickly established as the business centre of Brisbane. However, this was all disrupted when the 1893 Brisbane flood
1893 Brisbane flood
The 1893 Brisbane flood, occasionally referred to as the Great Flood of 1893 or the Black February flood, occurred when the Brisbane River burst its banks on three occasions in February 1893. It is the occurrence of three major floods in the same month that saw the period named "Black February"....
s forced the central business district to shift to the northern side of the river and attain higher ground. This is where the Brisbane central business district still stands today. This began the decline of South Bank, and the area became home to vaudeville theatres, derelict boarding houses, and light and heavy industry.
The 1970s marked the beginnings of a new era, with parkland reclaimed along the river bank, and the Queensland Cultural Centre
Queensland Cultural Centre
The Queensland Cultural Centre is a multi-venue centre located at South Bank, Brisbane, capital city of Queensland. It consists of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre , the Queensland Museum, the State Library of Queensland , the Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art...
was built which included the Queensland Art Gallery
Queensland Art Gallery
The Queensland Art Gallery is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, and is located nearest to Brisbane River at South Bank...
, the Queensland Museum
Queensland Museum
The Queensland Museum is the state museum of Queensland. The museum currently operates four separate campuses; at South Brisbane, Ipswich, Toowoomba and Townsville.The museum is funded by the State Government of Queensland.-History:...
, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre
Queensland Performing Arts Centre
The Queensland Performing Arts Centre is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre and is located on the corner of Melbourne Street and Grey Street in Brisbane's South Bank precinct....
and State Library of Queensland
State Library of Queensland
The State Library of Queensland is a large public library provided to the people of the State of Queensland, Australia, by the state government. Its legislative basis is provided by the Queensland Libraries Act 1988...
(today it also includes the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre at the South Bank area of South Brisbane. It holds most of Queensland Art Gallery's contemporary works, while also being the joint host to the current Asia-Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art...
.
In 1988, Brisbane held a successful World Expo 88, following which the Government intended to develop the site for commercial interests. However, a public campaign successfully lobbied for the site to be redeveloped as parkland for the enjoyment of people in Brisbane. In 1989, the South Bank Corporation, a Queensland Government statutory body, was established to oversee the development and management of the new South Bank Parklands.
Walking
The South Bank Parklands can be accessed from South Bank via Vulture Street, Little Stanley Street and the Cultural Forecourt; from the CityBrisbane central business district
The Brisbane central business district , sometimes referred to as the city, is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and is located on a point on the northern bank of the Brisbane River. The triangular shaped area is bounded by the Brisbane River to the east, south and west...
via the Victoria Bridge
Victoria Bridge, Brisbane
The Victoria Bridge is a vehicular and pedestrian bridge over the Brisbane River. The current bridge, opened in 1969, is the third permanent crossing erected at this location...
; from Gardens Point
Gardens Point, Brisbane
Gardens Point is a point on the northern bank of the Brisbane River. The Brisbane CBD extends northwards of the point.Located here are Queensland's Parliament House, the Gardens Point campus of the Queensland University of Technology, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and Queensland's Old...
via the Goodwill Bridge; and from Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point, Queensland
Kangaroo Point is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia located directly east across the Brisbane River from the Brisbane central business district.- Geography :...
via the Riverwalk.
Public transport
The South Bank Parklands are within walking distance of the Cultural Centre BuswayCultural Centre Busway Station, Brisbane
The Cultural Centre Busway Station, at South Bank, is part of the South East Busway served by TransLink bus routes. The busway station is the first stop outside the city, and in Zone 1 of the TransLink integrated public transport system...
and the South Bank Busway
South Bank Busway Station, Brisbane
The South Bank Busway Station, at South Bank, is part of the South East Busway serviced by TransLink bus routes. The busway station is close to the South Bank Railway Station, and the South Bank Parklands. It is in Zone 1 of the TransLink integrated public transport system...
, as well as the South Brisbane Railway Station
South Brisbane railway station, Brisbane
South Brisbane Station is a railway station in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Queensland Rail City network and is located in Zone 1 of the TransLink integrated public transport system...
and South Bank Railway Station
South Bank railway station, Brisbane
South Bank railway station is a railway station in Brisbane, the state capital of Queensland, Australia. It is part of the Queensland Rail City network, located in Zone 1 of the TransLink integrated public transport system....
. There are three CityCat terminals on the Brisbane River
Brisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
, near the Victoria Bridge
Victoria Bridge, Brisbane
The Victoria Bridge is a vehicular and pedestrian bridge over the Brisbane River. The current bridge, opened in 1969, is the third permanent crossing erected at this location...
.
Bicycle
Bicycles can access the South Bank Parklands from South Bank via Vulture Street, Little Stanley Street and the Cultural Forecourt; from Gardens PointGardens Point, Brisbane
Gardens Point is a point on the northern bank of the Brisbane River. The Brisbane CBD extends northwards of the point.Located here are Queensland's Parliament House, the Gardens Point campus of the Queensland University of Technology, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens and Queensland's Old...
via the Goodwill Bridge; and from Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point, Queensland
Kangaroo Point is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia located directly east across the Brisbane River from the Brisbane central business district.- Geography :...
via the Riverwalk.Bicycle racks are located at:
- The Visitors Centre in Staley Street Plaza
- Suncorp Piazza
- The Boardwalk
- Clem Jones Promenade
- Little Stanley Street
Attractions
Grand Arbour
The Grand ArbourSouth Bank Grand Arbour, Brisbane
The South Bank Grand Arbour was designed by a Melbourne-based firm Denton Corker Marshall in 1997 and completed in 1999 in Brisbane, Australia. It earned a lot of architecture awards....
consists of 443 curling steel columns covered in bouganvilleas which flower throughout the year. The arbour stretches for 1 km from Vulture Street to the Cultural Forecourt and functions as a pedestrian walkway.
Suncorp Piazza
The Suncorp PiazzaSuncorp Piazza
thumb|250px|alt=Suncorp Piazza|Northern side of the piazza.The Suncorp Piazza is a multi-purpose venue in Brisbane, Australia. It was inspired by the popular Piazza performance venue built for World Expo 88 and remains today at South Bank Parklands, the transformed Expo site...
is an open-air amphitheater which is frequently used for community events. It has a seating capacity of 2,158. When not in use, the Piazza displays news and sports on two suspended screens.
Wheel of Brisbane
The Wheel of BrisbaneWheel of Brisbane
The Wheel of Brisbane is a tall transportable Ferris wheel installation erected as part of the 20th anniversary of World Expo 88 and the 150th anniversary of the State of Queensland 1859–2009 celebrations....
is a 60 m (197 ft) tall observation wheel
Ferris wheel
A Ferris wheel is a nonbuilding structure consisting of a rotating upright wheel with passenger cars attached to the rim in such a way that as the wheel turns, the cars are kept upright, usually by gravity.Some of the largest and most modern Ferris wheels have cars mounted on...
. It was erected at the parklands in August 2008 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of World Expo 88 and 150th Anniversary of Queensland
Queensland
Queensland is a state of Australia, occupying the north-eastern section of the mainland continent. It is bordered by the Northern Territory, South Australia and New South Wales to the west, south-west and south respectively. To the east, Queensland is bordered by the Coral Sea and Pacific Ocean...
1859-2009. The wheel carries 42 gondolas on a 15 minute ride which offers panoramic views of the South Bank Parklands, the Brisbane River
Brisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
and the City
Brisbane central business district
The Brisbane central business district , sometimes referred to as the city, is a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia and is located on a point on the northern bank of the Brisbane River. The triangular shaped area is bounded by the Brisbane River to the east, south and west...
.
Markets
The Lifestyle Markets operate every Friday (5:00pm – 10:00pm), Saturday (10:00am – 5:00pm) and Sunday (9:00am – 5:00pm) and offer a range of arts, crafts, homewares, collectibles, exotic items and clothing.The Young Designers Market is held on the first Sunday of every month (10:00am – 4:00pm), and features cutting edge garments and accessories from some of Brisbane's most talented young designers.
Nepal Peace Pagoda
The Nepal Peace PagodaNepal Peace Pagoda
The Nepal Peace Pagoda in Brisbane, Australia, is located at the transformed Brisbane World Expo '88 site, South Bank Parklands. It is one of the most significant heritage items in Brisbane from the hosting of the Expo.-Origins:...
was originally located on the Expo site and was moved to its new South Bank Parklands riverfront location at the conclusion of the Expo after a successful government and private fundraising campaign to keep the Pagoda in Brisbane. With its traditional architecture, art work and first level meditation area, it is a popular attraction.
Restaurants and Cafés
South Bank is major dining precinct in Brisbane, and many establishments are situated inside the South Bank Parklands includes Ahmet's, Café San Marco, Chez Laila, Mado, River Canteen, The Plough Inn, Timmy's, Tastes of India, Wang Dynasty.Streets Beach
Moreton Bay
Moreton Bay is a bay on the eastern coast of Australia 45 km from Brisbane, Queensland. It is one of Queensland's most important coastal resources...
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
Brisbane River
The Brisbane River is the longest river in south east Queensland, Australia, and flows through the city of Brisbane, before emptying into Moreton Bay. John Oxley was the first European to explore the river who named it after the Governor of New South Wales, Thomas Brisbane in 1823...
. The Streets Beach Facts was designed by Desmond Brookes International. It was constructed by Fletcher Jennings Construction and Water and Industrial Engineering. Construction commenced in February 1991 and was complete by June 1992.
The beach has received awards including the 1999 Moreton Bay region's cleanest beach in the Keep Australia Beautiful Council's Clean Beach Challenge and the 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.
Festivals and Events
The South Bank Parklands host a number of annual cultural events and festivals including the Australia Day Festival, Riverfire and New Years Eve celebrations. In 2009, Riverfire drew more than half a million spectators to the South Bank Parklands.Parking
The Parklands Underground Carpark has more than 800 car parking spaces. Access is via Tribune Street or Glenelg Street, off Little Stanley Street.Concept
Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary
Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary was established for Australian wildlife in the South Bank Parklands, in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, following World Expo 88....
as well as a Butterfly House. In January 1998, Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary was closed down and the animals relocated.
The Butterfly House was later renamed as the Butterfly and Insect House. In April 1998, the Butterfly and Insect House was renamed as South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary, with the introduction of other wildlife. In the latter half of 2005, the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary was closed and dismantled and an office and retail store were built on the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary's former location. Also gone from South Bank Parklands are the canals, bridges and launches. Visitors were originally able to hire golf carts to tour the grounds as well. This attraction was also phased out with Gondwana Sanctuary and the canals.
External links
- Things to do — South Bank Corporation
- Master Plan Revelopment — South Bank Corporation
- South Bank Arbour fact sheet — South Bank Corporation
- Visit South Bank Parklands
- Discover the Brisbane River - CityCat Guide, Our Brisbane, Brisbane City Council (includes information about South Bank Parklands)
- Tourist in Brisbane - Getaway - Channel 9 network, Australia