Southbank Parklands - Aussie Brisbane Playground

Southbank Features the Streets Beach, Peace Pagoda & Brisbane Wheel

Feb 20, 2009 James Parsons

Legacy of Expo 88, Southbank Parklands is Brisbane's hottest tourist attraction with Australia's only inner city beach, the Nepalese Peace Pagoda and Wheel of Brisbane.

Southbank is an inner city playground and cool respite for Brisbane-ites and visitors alike. Directly across the Brisbane River from the towering office blocks, Southbank features an ‘inner-city beach’, shady walks, a Nepalese pagoda, the Wheel of Brisbane, a variety of eateries and the Suncorp piazza and superscreen.

History of Southbank Parklands

The area now known as Southbank was a dilapidated area of South Brisbane overdue for re-development. When Brisbane won the right to host World Expo 88 (in 1988), the site became the home to 100 world exhibits and, according to Foundation Expo88, was visited by 18,574,476 people over its 6 month lifetime. This was greater than the total population of Australia at the time; Brisbane itself had only 1 million residents.

In the aftermath of Expo 88, several ideas (including more CBD) were proposed for the site, but the idea of a free parkland for the people won out and Southbank was born. The boardwalks, two ‘pubs’ and the magnificent hand-carved Nepalese peace pagoda (a gift of the Nepalese government) are reminders of Expo 88.

The Nepalese Peace Pagoda

There are many Peace Pagodas around the world, built to promote and celebrate world harmony. The Pagoda that forms the quiet heart of the Brisbane Southbank Parklands was, according to the Museums and Galleries Services of Queensland, the work of 160 Kathmandu Valley families. It used 80 tonnes of timber and was 2 years in the crafting.

It is certainly beautiful to look at, but also seems to instil peace as the tired walker enters its dark interior. There are seats for prayer or reflection – or just a place to rest weary feet and admire the intricate carving.

The Rainforest Walk and Parklands

Much of the area has been landscaped to simulate a rainforest environment (not difficult in this sub-tropical climate). Boardwalks wind throughout, with various branches which children love to follow, beside imitation creeks and pools with small waterfalls. Broad lawns roll down to the river and become the picnic blanket venue for major crowd-pleasers such as the annual Riverfire foreworks display.

Strollers, cyclists, and rollerbladers ply the broad paths that follow the river, access the Citycat ferry terminals, and make an easy route to the adjoining cultural centre with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre QPAC, Queensland Art Gallery, Queensland Museum, Gallery of Modern Art and the State Library.

The arbour, a 1 kilometre arty walkway covered in flowering bougainvillea creeper, connects areas of the Parkland and leads out to Grey Street.

The Streets Beach

This enormous chain of swimming pools fashioned to look like lagoons with sandy beaches, palm trees and tropical surrounds, has rightly earned the title of Australia’s only inner city beach. Bikini’d sunbathers lounge on the white sands, kids splash in the shallow pools and, perched on a traditional metal stand, a lifesaver oversees the aquatic activities.

Several Southbank locations have corporate sponsorship: the beach area ‘belongs’ to Streets, the ice cream manufacturer. One corner of the project is called Aquativities and is a great area for toddlers where fountains intermittently squirt, large sea creatures can be straddled and mothers are offered change tables for babies. The most remarkable feature of the swimming pools is that it is entirely free – one of the few municipal pools in Australia with no entrance fee.

The Wheel of Brisbane

This giant Ferris wheel is operated by the same company that has placed them in other cities in the world such as Bangalore, Belfast, Seville and London’s Hyde Park. The wheel stands 60 metres tall and gives commanding views over Brisbane. Entry to the air-conditioned Perspex bubbles cost $15 per adult and $10 per child 12 and under for a 12 -15 minute ride.

Grey St Shopping Precinct

Southbank is sandwiched between the Brisbane River and Grey St. Grey St is re-inventing itself as the chic new shopping area. It already has some 30 restaurants from every imaginable ethnic group, a cinema complex and some nearby hotels and apartments and has the added advantage of also housing the Southbank Railway Station.

Getting to Southbank

Southbank is very visible from the central business district and from the Citycats that ply the river. Tourists can use the Citycat service, the trains to Southbank or South Brisbane stations, or one of the many buses that head south from the city to the cultural centre bus interchange. It is also possible to cross the river on foot via the Victoria Bridge from near the Treasury Casino or via Goodwill Bridge at the City Botanical Gardens.

Southbank is now a Brisbane icon, a wonderful legacy from Expo 88 and a must-see for visitors. Take swimsuits for the kids!

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