The tourist capital of the southern hemisphere is only a leisurely one hour's drive from Brisbane and has a wide range of activities including exciting theme parks, beautiful hinterland scenery and by night, enjoy the character of it's world renowned nightclub and restaurant scene.

KANGAROO POINT

Cliffs & riverwalk

LONE PINE KOALA SANCTUARY

Dining

With more than 30 restaurants, cafes and bars, visitors to South Bank can dine at a different establishment every day of the week!

South Bank has the cuisine and location to suit all tastes, appetites and budgets ranging from Turkish, Indian and Asian to Mediterranean, Modern Australian and Italian.

At South Bank you can dine riverside and take in the majestic views across the river to the city, soak up the atmosphere of the eventful Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, enjoy a dinner before a show at the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Queensland Art Gallery, go casual or formal at Rydges Hotel or dine alfresco at one of the many eateries along the bustling Little Stanley Street.

An array of takeaway outlets is also available ranging from fish and chips and kebabs to burgers, ice-cream and pizza.

The café society is alive and well at South Bank where you can enjoy more than six different styles of coffee from the precinct's many cafes, from Merlo, Vittoria and Lavazza to Steam, Golden Espresso and Belaroma.

You don't have to look far for a stunning location to enjoy a relaxing drink either. In the centre of South Bank, The Plough Inn, a South Bank institution, is a casual location with its relaxed beer garden and picturesque balconies while Greystone's Bar in Little Stanley Street has a wine cellar to be proud of. CBD at Rydges Hotel is both stylish and casual and offers extensive beer and wine lists and menus to match.

And if you dine at any participating restaurants and spend $20 or more, parking in the Parklands Underground Car Park is free.


Shopping

A day out at South Bank would not be complete without a spot of shopping.

Fashion followers will enjoy a visit to South Bank's newest retail strip, Little Stanley Street. Opened in November 2001, the stylish retail precinct is where you will find a variety of Australian and international boutique fashion labels as well as deli items, gifts and homewares.


Markets

The South Bank Art and Craft Markets operate every Friday night from 5pm until 10pm, Saturday from 11am until 5pm and Sunday from 9am until 5pm.

Market shopping has never been more interesting or plentiful that it is now at South Bank with an interesting array of market stalls now creating a bustling marketplace in Stanley Street Plaza and along the ENERGEX Arbour every weekend.


Attractions

ENERGEX Brisbane Arbour

A one kilometre walkway, the ENERGEX Arbour winds its way through the length of the parklands at South Bank, providing a scenic route from which to enjoy all that it offers. Draped in brilliant bougainvillea, the award-winning arbour was conceived as a horticultural wonder and is the defining symbol of South Bank. Comprised of 403 individually designed, tendril-like columns, the ENERGEX Arbour has won a number of state and national awards, including the Urban Design in Australia Award in the year 2000.


South Bank Beach

South Bank Beach is a unique man-made beach comprising a crystal lagoon with enough water to fill five Olympic swimming pools, sparkling clean white beaches and sub-tropical trees and exotic plants.

The beach contains chlorinated fresh water that is recirculated every six hours at up to 125 litres per second. The water is pumped through two large sand filters and chemically treated before being returned back to the beach. The 4,000 cubic metres of sand is sourced from Rous Channel in Moreton Bay and 70 tonnes is added each year to the South Bank Beach.

Lawns and BBQ facilities surrounding the South Bank Beach are a popular spot for picnic lunches. South Bank Beach is patrolled by lifeguards 365 days a year, seven days a week. From December until February, lifeguards patrol from 7am until midnight daily.


Little Stanley Street

A recent addition to the lifestyle at South Bank, this award-winning retail and dining precinct has quickly become a popular part of Brisbane's thriving café society.

Chic yet casual, Little Stanley Street enjoys a village style atmosphere with its speciality shopping and relaxed and varied alfresco dining, yet its central South Bank location means it perfectly positioned to enjoy all the activity and lifestyle of the South Bank precinct.

On Friday night's the street hots up with free sidewalk salsa from 7.30pm. The popular Friday night outing sets the street sizzling and attracts more than 150 people each week.


The Parklands

The 17-hectare public parklands stretch for more than a kilometre along the banks of the Brisbane River, looking out across Brisbane's modern city skyline. The bougainvillea covered ENERGEX Arbour, sub-tropical trees and plants, lush lawns, formal gardens, rainforests and palm trees create a sub-tropical backdrop for the numerous restaurants, cafes and bars which dot the South Bank precinct. Over 175,000 shrubs and 4,000 advanced trees make up the landscape of the gardens.


Goodwill Bridge

The Goodwill Bridge opened in October 2001 links South Bank's 1km promenade to the City Botanical Gardens, allowing families and health enthusiasts alike to stroll, jog, cycle and skate between Brisbane's major inner-city parklands. This architecturally impressive structure links the southern end of South Bank, the city's Botanic Gardens and the adjoining Queensland University of Technology. With more than 60,000 pedestrians and cyclists using the bridge each week the 450 m long bridge is a major access point, not to mention a picturesque vantage point from which to enjoy spectacular views of South Bank, the City and the river.


Suncorp PiazzaA whole host of events are home to the covered, amphitheatre-styled Suncorp Piazza from international beach volleyball matches, tae kwon do and screenings of football matches to movies, concerts, corporate gala dinners and art exhibitions. Available for hire, the Suncorp Piazza's uses are limited only by the imagination.


Suncorp Superscreen

The huge 5m by 4m portable screen boasts state-of-the-art technology that enables broadcasting both day and night, indoors and outside.


Events

South Bank is where the people of Brisbane come to celebrate and, as such, hosts the city's major annual festivities including the Lord Mayor's Australia Day Celebrations, the Christmas Celebrations, New Year's Eve Celebrations and Riverfestival.


Alfresco Cinema

Enjoy free movies under the stars at South Bank. Held every autumn, the precinct's alfresco cinema series has become one of its trademarks with around 1000 people turning out each night of the season to enjoy the free movies.

Broadcast on the Suncorp Superscreen, visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket, friends and family and enjoy free screenings of recent release movies.

The free movies are also held at other times throughout. For movie times and locations, contact the Visitor Information Centre on 3867 2051.


Recreational Activities

South Bank's idyllic riverside location also makes it an appealing exercise and recreation setting. More and more people are incorporating South Bank into their regular exercise regimes whether it's running, walking, swimming, cycling or rollerblading.

The loop from South Bank, Kangaroo Point and across the Goodwill Bridge has become on of Brisbane's most popular with cyclists, joggers, walkers and rollerbladers alike.

South Bank also offers a range of free exercise activities through its ENERGEX Healthy Lifestyle program which includes free aqua fitness, tai chi, yoga and cycling programs. For further information, telephone the Visitor Information Centre on 3867 2051.


Aquatic Action

South Bank's riverside location also makes it the ideal venue for range of water activities - from dragon boating, rowing and outriggers to water skiing and canoeing.

Throughout the year many aquatic sports competitions, both participatory and spectator, are held on the Brisbane River in front of South Bank. These range from Surf Life Saving competitions to corporate regattas.

To get involved and find out more, contact the Visitor Information Centre on 3867 2051.

The activation of the river is a priority of South Bank which means more river activity is planned in the future.


Cruising

Taking a tour of the city by boat is easy from South Bank where there are three river tours to enjoy.

River City Cruises:

Started in May 2003, River City Cruises offers a river experience with a difference.

Step on board this 1½ cruise on the MV Neptune and you are promised much for than a relaxing cruise up the river, you'll also get a stunning tour of the city and a history lesson of our city and, particularly, its river.

An amusing commentary, set to traditional bush and colonial music, highlights some of the city's features and landmarks, and details their remarkable history - some of which is very surprising.

On board, the ship's captain/ owner Bob McCrorie points out the present day features and tells a few amusing tales.

River City Cruises departs from its South Bank home, the river lookout opposite the Nepalese Pagoda, daily at 10am, 12pm, 2pm and 4pm. In the warmer months, it will also offer 6pm and 8pm tours. The cruise journeys to Breakfast Creek before and returns to South Bank.

The MV Neptune is also available for hire for chartered tours.

Dining options are also available on Board with the menu ranging from filos, pies and lasagne to snacks and refreshments.

To book, telephone Rosemary or Bob on 0428 278 473, alternatively, you can simply turn up. Cost is $15 for adults, $10 concessions and $40 for a family.


Queensland Maritime Museum:

At our wharf see the powerful steam tug Forceful, built in 1925 and now preserved as a working vessel making regular trips down the Brisbane River to Moreton Bay. However, currently she is under repair for approximately 6 months.

Forceful is often open to visitors for inspection. Check at reception.

For steaming dates, prices and all other inquiries please telephone 07 3844 5361 during business hours or email.


Kookaburra Queen

A hearty appetite is definitely the order of the day on board the Kookaburra River Queens, which travel the Brisbane River every day.

The classic paddle wheelers offer a dining experience with a difference, not to mention a tasty way to take in the beauty of our city.

Constructed in 1996 and 1998, the two Kookaburra River Queens are a hospitable river tours with dining very much a part of their river experience.

Lunchtime cruises depart South Bank at 11.30am and return at 1.30pm. Sit back in the opulent surrounds of a bygone era and choose from one of the three lunchtime dining offers. Tuck into a three-course, hot and cold buffet for $40 per person, a seafood platter teamed with the buffet for $65 per person or for smaller appetites Devonshire tea, complete with scones, jam and cream for $25 per person.

To enjoy the full river experience, lunchtime cruises are accompanied by a chatty commentary of the history of the river and its landmarks.

At dinner time the city and the cruises take on a different feel. Fun and festive, rich and romantic, at night the Kookaburra River Queens replace their commentary with live music and very quickly the dance floor is filled.

Enjoy the cruise and hot and cold, three-course buffet dinner for $56 from Monday to Thursday and Sunday, $62 Friday and Saturday. The cruise and seafood platter and buffet meal is $72 Monday to Thursday and Sunday and $75 on Friday and Saturday nights.

Each paddle wheeler can cater for up to 350 people, making them ideal for special occasions.

To book for any of the cruises, telephone 3221 1300 or visit www.kookaburrariverqueens.com


Cultural Activities

The South Bank Precinct is home to the Queensland Performing Arts Complex, Queensland Art Gallery, State Library of Queensland, Queensland Museum, Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC), and the Greater Union Hoyt's South Bank Cinemas.

The $260 million Millennium Arts Development, at the northern end of South Bank, is planned for completion in 2005 and will further complement the South Bank product adding to the already strong cultural and educational offerings.


Educational Facilities

South Bank TAFE, Griffith University's Queensland Conservatorium of Music, Griffith University's Queensland College of Art, the Queensland Academy of Sport, the University of Canberra Brisbane Campus and a number of secondary schools are situated in the South Bank precinct.

Griffith University's Queensland Conservatorium is Australia's leading tertiary music institution, with an international reputation for excellence in conservatoire training and contemporary music education. As the home to Opera Queensland the $40 million Conservatorium includes a 650 seat theatre, a 200 seat recital hall, professional recording and music technology facilities, teaching studios, rehearsal rooms and performance spaces.

Griffith University's Queensland College of Art offers degrees in design, visual arts, photography, screen production and animation at an undergraduate level.

The South Bank Institute of TAFE offers courses in business management, information technology, health and fitness, commerce, tourism, hospitality and multimedia to more than 30,000 Australian and International students.

The first satellite campus of the University of Canberra has opened at South Bank providing students with educational leadership and access to many Canberra-based services through the University's extensive and comprehensive on-line network.

With the establishment of the Goodwill Bridge linking South Bank with the Queensland University of Technology and the City Botanical Gardens students to QUT can cycle or walk across from South Bank to attend classes. QUT offers both undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Arts, Built Environment and Engineering, Business, Education, Health, Information Technology, Law and Science.

For details on South Bank's multitude of events, please refer to their website: www.south-bank.net.au