24 Fun Things to do in South Bank and South Brisbane PLUS Where to Eat and Stay
Are you looking for something to do in South Bank, Brisbane? You have come to the right place!
South Bank is the cultural hub of Brisbane and the tourist area as well.
Located south of the Brisbane River, South Bank is considered one of the inner-city suburbs. Southbank is located near South Brisbane, West End, and High Gate Hill. Southbank is located across the river from Brisbane City.
Though we live on the north side of Brisbane, we love spending time in South Bank and South Brisbane as there are so many fun things to do, including many free activities and lots of great things to do with kids.
Keep reading to find the best things to do in South Bank and South Brisbane along with the best hotels to stay in and the best restaurants to eat in.
The Best Things to Do in South Bank, Brisbane
#1 Streets Beach
Did you know that there is a beach in Brisbane City? Streets Beach is a man-made beach located near the Brisbane River in South Bank. Streets Beach has sand and a lagoon. There is a lifeguard on duty during selected hours.
Restaurants are located nearby and there is usually a snack stand set up by Streets Beach. Toilets and change rooms are located near Streets Beach.
#2 Aquativity
Located next to Streets Beach in Brisbane’s South Bank is Aquativity, a water play area for kids. Aquativity is made up of a shallow pool and various water features. Kids can play and splash around in Aquativity while the adults join in or sit nearby.
BBQs and picnic benches are located near Aquativity.
#3 Boat Pool
On the other side of Streets Beach, along the Brisbane River, is Boat Pool. There are lifeguards on duty at Boat Pool, which in addition to Streets Beach is another great free swimming pool in Brisbane.
Find more fun things to do with kids for free in Brisbane.
#4 South Bank Markets
Head to Southbank every Friday, Saturday, and Sunday for their Collective Markets. The markets are set up on Little Stanley Street.
Listen to live music at the markets on Friday nights.
#5 Playgrounds
South Bank has 2 different playgrounds, both located near the Brisbane River.
The most popular playground at South Bank is the Riverside Green Playground, which is usually crowded with kids. There are lots of places to climb at Riverside Green Playground as well as slides, swings, and a hamster wheel.
Little kids have a separate area to play in. There is a boat design for the little ones to play on.
Riverside Green Playground is not fenced in. There is seating nearby as well as restaurants and toilets.
Not as well known, but just as fun, is the Picnic Island Playground. Picnic Island playground gets its name for the picnic tables and BBQs nearby. While it is not entirely an island, Picnic Island is almost surrounded by water.
Picnic Island Playground is smaller than Riverside Green Playground. There are places to climb, a multiple-person swing, and a different kind of slide. A large Banyan tree helps keep the play area shaded.
#6 Epicurious Garden
South Bank has its own community Garden. Lots of fruit, vegetables, and herbs are grown at the Epicurious Garden.
While anyone can sample the items from Epicurious Garden, there is a garden cart available on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday mornings. Volunteers tend to the garden and add items to the garden cart for visitors to take home.
Items on the garden cart include fresh herbs as well as plants that can be taken home and planted. If there is something, in particular, you are looking for, ask a volunteer and they may be able to cut some for you.
The Epicurious Garden Cart has bags for you to take home your goodies. The plants with roots are located in the red bucket and the clippings are in the containers inside the cart.
For those visiting outside of the garden cart hours, Epicurious Garden is a beautiful place to wander.
#7 The Nepalese Peace Pagoda
The only international exhibit remaining on the site from the 1988 World Expo, the Nepalese Peace Pagoda allows visitors to walk through the pagoda and view Nepalese artwork.
The Nepalese Peace Pagoda is located near the Rainforest Walk and Wheel of Brisbane.
#8 Rainforest Walk
South Bank offers a rainforest walk right in the city. The path is a boardwalk along the man-made rainforest with a large variety of trees and plants.
Rainforest Walk includes lots of benches and seating areas for those who want to sit down and take a break from the city.
The path at the Rainforest Walk is not long and can be completed in just a few minutes.
#9 Queensland Maritime Museum
Learn about ships, lighthouses, and Queensland history at the Queensland Maritime Museum. There are exhibits both inside and outside.
Imaginaria is located outside of the Queensland Maritime Museum. Find out what Imaginaria is and if you should take the kids.
#10 Brisbane Sign
Take a picture with the Brisbane sign with Brisbane CBD and the Brisbane River in the background. The Brisbane sign is located near QPAC.
#11 Brisbane River Cruise
The Brisbane River has lots of options for river cruises. Here are some options that leave from Southbank.
#12 State Library of Queensland
Membership to the State Library of Queensland is free and available to all state residents, though anyone can see the exhibits or take the kids to play at the Circle at the State Library.
The State Library has a wide range of exhibits, workshops, and events.
#13 Train Ride
During the Brisbane school holidays, kids and adults can ride the X-Press Fun Train around South Bank.
#14 South Bank Piazza
See a show at South Bank Piazza, a performance venue located in South Bank, Brisbane.
#15 Wheel of Brisbane
Go for a ride on the Ferris Wheel. The Wheel of Brisbane offers amazing views of Brisbane. Rides last 10-15 minutes and offer a great view of Brisbane.
#16 Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
Part of QUAGOMA, the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art has both free and paid exhibits. GOMA also has a movie theatre and a Children’s Art Gallery with interactive exhibits.
#17 Queensland Art Gallery
The other part of QUAGOMA is the Queensland Art Gallery which is located in a separate building near GOMA.
The Queensland Art Gallery is free to enter and has a lot of interesting art to observe. Those who want can sit down and sketch on one of the benches offered.
Don’t forget to head outside to see the artwork near the cafe. Also, see if you can spot Roy and Matilda’s mouse door in the gallery.
#18 Queensland Museum
Queensland Museum is a science, culture, and natural history museum with both free and paid exhibits.
Sparklab is a permanent exhibit for children. A hands-on science center, Sparklab has a maker’s space, experiments, and discussions.
There are multiple floors of exhibits at the Queensland Museum.
#19 QPAC
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) brings a wide variety of performances to its space including musicians, Broadway shows, ballet, and children’s entertainment.
QPAC has multiple restaurants and multiple performance spaces.
The Lyrebird offers high tea before select shows.
Find out the best places to enjoy high tea with kids in Brisbane.
#20 Fish Lane
Filled with bars and restaurants, Fish Lane takes up multiple blocks. Located near the cultural centre in South Brisbane, Fish Lane is home to art, food, and entertainment.
Currently, there are 3 different tiny doors that can be spotted in Fish Lane. Find out about the tiny doors in Fish Lane and other spots around Brisbane with our guide to Fairy Doors.
#21 DiscoverSouth Bank with a Game
Want to play a game while you roam South Bank? You have options!
Visitors can enjoy a scavenger hunt by app through South Bank. First-time visitors and even locals can enjoy solving clues while exploring the area.
Another option is a self-guided, non-timed tour with clues to solve. Discover Brisbane is fun for families and groups.
#22 River Quay Green Amphitheatre
Another option to see a performance is at the River Quay Green Amphitheatre. A variety of paid and free events are held at the River Quay Green year-round including Sunday Sessions, a free weekly music event.
#23 Kids Collective South Bank
Kids Collective hosts free events for kids 0-5 at Southbank. Activities include art, yoga, stories, and more.
#24 Hey Caddy Miniature Golf
Play 12 holes of miniature golf at Hey Caddy, a bar near the South Bank train station.
Each hole has a different theme, all based on traveling around the world. Start at the Great Wall of China, try to escape from Alcatraz, walk on a boardwalk over the water in Bali, and putt your way through New York City at Hey Caddy.
There are lots of obstacles to make putt putt at Hey Caddy interesting and lots of fun.
#25 X Golf Simulator
Located at the same bar as Hey Caddy is X Golf, which has golf simulators that all ages can participate in.
#26 Take a Class
Not sure what kind of class to take? Class Bento has tons of options, including craft classes such as paint and sip and pottery classes in South Bank, Brisbane.
How to Get to South Bank
CAR: Parking is available in Southbank. There is extremely limited street parking and multiple parking garages.
BUS: The Cultural Centre Bus Station is located in South Brisbane. As it is a hub, many bus lines pass through.
TRAIN: Take the train to the Southbank Station or the South Brisbane Station. The South Brisbane Station is closer to the Cultural Centre museums and QPAC.
FERRY: Take the ferry to the Southbank terminal.
For more information on public transportation, map your journey here.
Where to Eat in South Bank
The options are seemingly endless at South Bank. From Italian to Turkish, Greek to Thai, Mexican to American, and basically every cuisine in between, there is plenty of variety near Southbank. Some options include:
Breakfast at Denim Co, Barbossa, or Espresso Garage
Lunch at Harajuku Gyoza, River Quay Fish, or Plough Inn
Dinner at Tai Tai, Southbeach, or Gnocchi Gnocchi Brothers
Dessert at Max Brenner’s Chocolate Bar or Happy Pops
Accommodations in South Bank
For more hotel options nearby, check out our list of The Best Hotels in Brisbane.
South Bank FAQ
Swimming at South Bank is free at Boats Pool, Streets Beach, and Aquativity. Visiting the Nepalese Peace Pagoda and going on a rainforest walk are both free at South Bank.
The Queensland Museum and QAGOMA both have free exhibits.
Wandering the Epicurious Garden in South Bank is free, as is bringing home herbs and plants from the Epicurious Garden Cart.
South Bank is known for its culture, entertainment, a large variety of restaurants, and as a tourist hub. South Bank is mostly known for its swimming pools along the Brisbane River.
People go to South Bank to see a show, go to a museum, browse the markets, enjoy a meal, swim, play, attend an event, and for many more reasons.
South Bank Station is closest to the swimming pools and restaurants at South Bank while the South Brisbane Station is closest to QPAC and the museums.
South Bank, Brisbane Wrap Up
Visiting South Bank is a must-do when visiting Brisbane. There are so many fun things to do in South Bank.
While South Bank is best known for Streets Beach, there are plenty of other fun things to discover nearby. From swimming to a rainforest walk, visiting a garden to walking along the river, there are easy ways to see South Bank for free.
In addition to the outdoor activities at South Bank, Brisbane’s Cultural Centre is nearby in South Brisbane. Visitors can easily walk to the museums from South Bank.
Plenty of restaurants are located by South Bank and in Fish Lane in South Brisbane. It is easy to find just about any cuisine in this area of Brisbane.
