Your Ultimate Guide To Eat Street Northshore

Get swept up in a dizzying smorgasbord of entertainment and international fare at Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane.

Transforming one of Brisbane’s last remaining shipping wharves into one of the city’s bucket list to-dos, Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane is a night market like no other. Also known as Eat Street Brisbane, the food-centric entertainment precinct is home to more than 60 permanent vendors dishing up authentic international fare, crafty cocktails and drinks, kids’ toys, arts and crafts and more. Pumping with live music and performances once the sun sets, it’s an intoxicating scene we’ve grown to adore since it opened 11 years ago. Here’s everything you need to know before you go.

Getting to Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane

Keen to stay and make the most of Eat Street Northshore’s five on-site bars? Leave your wheels at home and jump on a CityCat ferry. The Northshore Hamilton ferry terminal is just a few steps from one of the venue’s two entrances at Dock C within Northshore Brisbane, and the quick stroll along the Brisbane River to Eat Street Northshore itself is flat and scenic.

al fresco dining at the Eat Street Northshore — The food-centric entertainment precinct is home to excellent food and pumping performances. (Image: Tourism Australia)

If you’re taking the car, there’s a huge 1,400-vehicle carpark at Dock C on MacArthur Avenue and best of all, it’s free. Again, you’re only a few steps from both the ‘Hello’ and ‘Eat’ sign entrances, and they’re both clearly labelled. Northshore Brisbane, home to Eat Street Northshore and a stack of surrounding attractions (more on those further down), is in Hamilton which is about a 20-minute drive from Brisbane’s CBD.

There’s also the bus, with the nearest stop located on Bincote Street, right near the gigantic steel tank. Once you hop off, it’s a short walk through Maritime Green.

a family entering the Eat Street Northshore — Head to Eat Street Northshore for a fun family day out. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Getting around Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane

If it’s your first time, you can always download a visitor map from the Eat Street Northshore website, but we highly recommend getting lost in the fairy/neon/festoon/halogen-lit madness of it all.

If you’re after on-site assistance, there’s an information desk right next to the First Aid room, just a few steps inside when entering through the ‘Eat’ entrance.

a couple exploring the Eat Street Northshore — Get lost in the fairy-lit madness of it all. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Visitors should note that entry into Eat Street Northshore costs $6 per person however children under the age of 13 and carers can enter for free. You can also purchase pre-paid tickets through the website.

a kid smiling while holding a dessert at Eat Street Northshore — Children under the age of 13 can enter for free. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Accessibility-wise, there are plenty of dedicated disability parking spots, wheelchair-accessible toilets and a wheelchair-accessible ATM to be found. However, people with accessibility issues should note that the grounds have been built on original wharfage, meaning some of the more remote seating on the water’s edge is tougher to reach, and less finished than other spots.

friends enjoying drinks at Eat Street Northshore — Enjoy a night full of great food and drinks. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Dogs are welcome if they’re kept on a short leash and can handle staying more than three metres away from the food vendors. Tough ask for some, we realise.

dogs posing for a photo at Eat Street Northshore — You can also bring your dogs on a short leash.

What to see at Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane

Shopping and food options

You won’t know where to start, even if you’ve visited Eat Street Northshore before.

Explore the dining options at Eat Street Northshore. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Often categorised by cuisine or whatever products they’re selling, (there’s a mad scientist corner, for example, housing a Churro Lab and Professor Fairy Floss) the hot spots are broken down here.

churros at Eat Street Northshore — Grab some tasty snacks from Churro Lab.

Tables are scattered everywhere you look but the most popular place to plonk yourself down is the Main Deck where a giant undercover stage is found. Inside, you’ll struggle to resist the mouth-watering flavours of South America, the Middle East and Europe as vendors like Las Catrinas (try the birria tacos for instant transportation to Mexico City’s vibrant streets) and Chaar nail their dishes with spirited flair.

a couple eating ice cream at Eat Street Northshore — Head to Eat Street Northshore for decadent desserts. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Kombi Alley is another non-negotiable, home to a giant shimmering disco ball, strings of fairy lights and some of the most extraordinary sweets you’ll ever encounter.

the Kombi Alley at Eat Street Northshore — Indulge in sweets at the Kombi Alley. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Head to The Doughnut Bar for one of the alley’s original stalwarts and don’t miss The Chocolate Komberry’s cronut cubes topped with ice cream, syrup and more unnecessarily wicked trimmings.

The Doughnut Bar at Eat Street Northshore — Don’t miss the famed Doughnut Fries from The Doughnut Bar. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Seafood fans should make a beeline for the Trawler Deck where fish and chips are perfected, and Shuck All Oysters bring the decadence.

fresh oysters at Eat Street Northshore — Indulge in fresh oysters. (Image: Tourism Australia)

It’s a beautiful spot to watch the sun set as an old vintage Moreton Bay trawler, on display right in the thick of it all, sets a beautiful scene.

a box of pizza at Eat Street Northshore — Savour a slice of your favourite pizza. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Diner Bar is Eat Street Northshore’s central hub of comfort food, boasting American-style pizza slices, loaded burgers and two internationally inspired culinary havens: Little Lady Peruvian and Don’t Worry Eat Curry, spicing up your options with traditional paellas and Indian classics.

a dog wearing a cap at Eat Street Northshore — Treat your pup to a makeover with accessories from Traders Square’s Dapper Dogs.

Break up the culinary charms with a few kid-friendly games at Arcade Avenue, or a spot of boho-inspired homewares and henna tattooing perusing along the Laneway, or Traders Square’s Dapper Dogs for pup-friendly accessories, or Asia Street’s Sugarville for take-home lollies.

candies on display at Asia Street’s Sugarville, Eat Street Northshore — Grab some take-home lollies from Asia Street’s Sugarville.

Other popular pit stops include Lulu Candied Fruit, where skewered, fresh-dipped delights provide endless Instagram fodder, Corn Dogs, for loaded creations to utterly blow your mind, and Arancini Bros, serving up a suite of pudgy, flavour-packed risotto spheres.

caramelized strawberries in skewers at Lulu Candied Fruit, Eat Street Northshore — Grab one of Lulu Candied Fruit’s caramelised strawberry skewers.

Events and activities at Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane

While the countless food offerings keep crowds plenty busy, there’s also live music and performances staged nightly. Thanks to Eat Street Northshore’s 10pm licence on Friday and Saturday nights, local bands, singers, dancers, DJs and roving performers turn the foodie destination into a sprawling carnival that kicks on long into the evening.

violinists performing at Eat Street Northshore — Live music and performances are staged nightly. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Three stages, staggered right throughout Eat Street Northshore, bring unique flavours to their designated corner of the action. You’ll spy everything from fire eaters and acrobats to magicians and big touring names on any given night.

people dining and watching a live performance at Eat Street Northshore — Catch local bands and roving performers on Friday and Saturday nights. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Don’t miss the various photo-perfected backdrops that demand selfie-snapping attention. From neon-illuminated rainbows to Melbourne laneway-esque street art, there are mind-boggling sights wherever you look.

a performer in a fairy costume at Eat Street Northshore — Eat Street Northshore has turned into a sprawling carnival. (Image: Tourism Australia)

Tips for visiting Eat Street Northshore’s nearby attractions

Heading out to Northshore Brisbane can sort out the family for an entire day. The precinct will be the city’s—if not the country’s—hottest ticket come November 2024 when Bluey’s World, an immersive experience for fans of the global phenomenon Bluey, opens its doors. If you’re heading to Eat Street Northshore for an evening, Bluey’s World will serve as the perfect pre-game accompaniment.

a family hanging out at Kombi Alley, Eat Street Northshore — Eat Street Northshore is a fun-filled spot the whole family can enjoy. (Image: Tourism Australia)

There’s also the Pink Flamingo , the world’s first Spiegeltent, located right next door to Eat Street Northshore, offering an alternative party atmosphere for after-dark revellers. It’s open until December 24, 2024.

Fancy a feed on the water? Riva Kitchen & Events is within walking distance to Eat Street Northshore, right near the ferry terminal, and dishes up beautiful river-fronting breakfast and lunch to capitalise on fresh seasonal ingredients.

Opening hours: Friday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm; Saturday: 4:00pm – 10:00pm; Sunday: 4:00pm – 9:00pm

Address: 221D MacArthur Avenue, Hamilton

Discover the best restaurants in Brisbane.

Exploring the world’s largest sand island starts with the perfect K’gari homebase.

The morning light is still soft, but it’s already a perfect sunny day. We left our K’gari homebase at Kingfisher Bay Resort with our guide, Peter Meyer, at 9 am to make the most of our time to explore all that the world’s largest sand island holds. The size of K’gari is hard to grasp until you arrive here. This is no sandbar. Stretching 120 kilometres, unique lakes, mangrove systems, rainforest, 75 Miles of beach, historic shipwrecks, small townships and even one of Queensland’s best bakeries are all hidden within its bounds.

But first, one of the island’s most iconic sights: the pure silica sand and crystal clear waters of Lake McKenzie.

Laying eyes on it for the first time, I’m finally able to confirm that the photos don’t lie. The sand is pure white, without the merest hint of yellow. The water fades from a light halo of aqua around the edges to a deeper, royal blue, the deeper it gets (not that it’s particularly deep, six metres at most). The surface remains surprisingly undisturbed, like a mirror.

Arriving with our guide before 10 am means that no one else is around when we get here. Which means we have the pleasure of breaking the smooth surface with our own ripples as we enter. As a self-confessed wimp with chilly water temperatures, my fears are quickly assuaged. Even in the morning, the water stays around 23 degrees – perfect for lazing about all day. But we have more sights to see.

Exploring K’gari

ariel of in lake mckenzie on k'gari fraser island — Relax in the warm waters of Lake McKenzie. (Image: Ayeisha Sheldon)

This was the Personalised 4WD tour offered by Kingfisher Bay Resort, and my absolute top pick of experiences. Over the course of the day, we had the freedom to create our own bespoke itinerary (plus a provided picnic lunch along the way), with an expert guide who had plenty of stories and local expertise to give context to what we were looking at. From the history of the SS Maheno shipwreck, which survived the First World War only to be washed ashore by a cyclone in 1935, to a detailed description of how an island made of sand could sustain such diverse flora.

If it’s your first time to K’gari, the Beauty Spots Tour is another great option. Departing daily from Kingfisher Bay Resort (you’ll start to notice a trend, as many of the tours do start and end here), an air-conditioned, 4WD bus takes guests to the island’s most iconic locations, including the best places to swim, like Lake McKenzie and Eli Creek. The latter offers a gentle current, perfect for riding with a blow-up tyre out towards the ocean.

The next day, for a look at a completely different side of K’gari, I joined one of Kingfisher Bay Resort’s Immersive Ranger-guided tours to kayak through the mangroves of Dundonga Creek. This long, snake-like stretch of creek winds its way inland from the ocean outlet we entered by, at times too narrow for three kayaks to be side-by-side. Small insects buzz from leaf to leaf, while birds call overhead. Occasional bubbles indicate we’ve passed some fish that call this place home.

kayak tour through the mangroves at k'gari island — Learn about the island’s mangroves from your Ranger. (Image: Reuben Nutt/ TEQ)

If kayaking isn’t for you – or if, like me, you simply want more – other ranger-led experiences include nature walks and a dedicated Junior Eco Ranger Program for kids ages five to 12 (these run every weekend, and daily over the peak December holidays). Just ask for a timetable of upcoming tours when you check in.

While during whale season, Hervey Bay Whale Watch & Charters operates tours from the hotel’s jetty to get up close to the famous Humpback Highway of Hervey Bay, from 7 November to 31 May, attention turns to the Aqua Oasis Cruise . Departing from the resort every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for resort guests, adventure along the island’s remote western coast, pointing out wildlife like dolphins, turtles, flying fish and eagles along the way.

The cruise drops anchor so guests can jump into the water using the boat’s equipment – from SUP boards to inflatable slides and jumping platforms. Then refuel with a provided lunch, of course.

Unwind at sunset

two people drinking cocktails at sunset bar, kingfisher bay resort — Unwind at the Sunset Bar. (Image: Sean Scott)

As much as days on K’gari can be filled with adventure, to me, the afternoons and evenings there are for unwinding. Sunsets on K’gari are absolutely unbelievable, with Kingfisher Bay on the west side being the best spot to catch the colours.

The Sunset Bar , located at the start of the resort’s jetty and overlooking the beach, is the ultimate location for sundowners. Let chill beats wash over you as you sip on cool wines, beers and cocktails in a relaxed, friendly vibe. Personally, a cheese board was also absolutely called for. As the sun sinks, the sand, sea and horizon turn a vibrant shade of orange, with the jetty casting a dramatic shadow across the water.

When the show is over, head back to the hotel for dinner at the Asian-fusion Dune restaurant, or the pub-style Sand + Wood. But if your appetite is still whetted for more lights and colours, the evening isn’t over yet.

Settle into the Illumina stage for Return to Sky, an immersive light and sound show leading viewers on a captivating journey through K’gari’s stories and landscapes.

Indulge and disconnect

woman setting up massage room at kingfisher bay resort Island Day Spa — Find bliss at Island Day Spa. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Of course, there is a type of traveller who knows that balance is important, day or night. While Kingfisher Bay Resort offers more than one pool for guests to spend all day lounging by (they’ll even serve you food and drinks while you do it), you’ll find me at the Island Day Spa.

The masseuses could match the magic hands of any big city spa, and I felt the warm welcome as I walked into the light, breezy reception. Choose from a range of botanical facials, beauty treatments and soothing massages using traditional techniques (obviously, I couldn’t go past a relaxing massage). All products used contain organic, native botanical ingredients with nutrient-rich plant extracts to soothe skin and mind. To really indulge, try out one of the packages, couples treatment or even a pre-wedding day offering.

Getting there

kingfisher bay resort 4wd tour driving passed ss maheno on k'gari island — The world of K’gari awaits. (Image: Jessica Miocevich)

Getting to K’gari is shockingly easy. Find daily flights into Hervey Bay from Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Kingfisher Bay Resort offers a shuttle bus between the airport, their headquarters in Hervey Bay and the ferry to take you to K’gari.

Your ultimate guide to Eat Street Northshore in Brisbane