Brisbane’s South Bank: Culture, Parks and Riverside Beaches

Brisbane’s South Bank is often considered the city’s cultural and dining heart. On this walking tour, you’ll discover how this area evolved from originally a convict work site and then a rough waterfront of wharves and rowdy pubs into Brisbane’s most loved destination.

The tour begins at the Nepalese Peace Pagoda, a remarkable structure hand-carved by 160 Nepalese master craftsmen, entirely without nails or power tools. From there, you’ll stroll along the Clem Jones Promenade with its sweeping river views to the Queensland Cultural Centre with its galleries and museums. Along the way, you'll encounter some of South Bank’s more whimsical touches, like the upside-down elephant sculpture. You’ll also walk through Whale Mall and underneath life-size whales that sing to you.

You’ll also have a chance to immerse yourself in the Aussie lifestyle at parklands, beaches, and relaxed outdoor living at places like The Boat Pond, Streets Beach, River Quay Green, and Picnic Island. The tour ends at the historic Plough Inn, where you can enjoy a classic Aussie meal at an
iconic and historic pub with live music – and, of course, plenty of cold beer and refreshments.

On this 75-minute tour, you’ll also have a chance to:

• Learn about Aboriginal connections to the area, where people gathered, fished, and traded for thousands of years
• Stroll past the Wheel of Brisbane, The Brisbane Sign, and the Victoria Bridge Abutment, and walk along the river boardwalk
• View the world’s largest tensegrity bridge, the Kurilpa Bridge, with its unique “knitting needles” design, and discover Streets Beach, Australia’s only inner-city beach
• Explore the Queensland Cultural Centre, home to GOMA, the Queensland Art Gallery, and the Queensland Museum
• Wander under the Grand Arbour’s canopy of purple bougainvillea stretching more than a kilometre
• Hear stories of Brisbane’s convict past, including some grim discoveries beneath the river’s surface
• Experience the Epicurious Garden, cross the Goodwill Bridge, and get a bird’s-eye view of the Maritime Museum
• Appreciate the city’s blend of historic buildings and striking modern design, all wrapped in an atmosphere of greenery, fun, and laid-back leisure

By the end of this tour, you’ll have a sense of how this former convict work site became Brisbane’s most loved destination. South Bank offers a little bit of everything – from fine dining and relaxed cafés to iconic Aussie pubs with live music, and, of course, plenty of ice cream and coffee stops along the way. It’s a vibrant showcase of our unique culture, lifestyle, and sense of place.