A Go-To Guide To South Bank, Brisbane

Glass ceiling-smashing creativity and all-day play make South Bank an absolute Brisbane must-visit.

You’ve seen the man-made beach and you know a few of the restaurants, but have you ever deep-dived South Bank? Brisbane’s cultural heart is home to a handful of the country’s leading artistic institutions, markets brimming with local produce and artisanal delights and a colossal array of waterfront indulgence. Here, we break down the highlights for you to start ticking off.

Top reasons to visit South Bank

It’s not just a scenic spot to stroll. South Bank, located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River, is home to an overwhelming mix of galleries, museums, eateries and family-friendly attractions.

Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)

the building exterior of QAGOMA, Brisbane — Step into Queensland’s renowned contemporary art gallery. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Located 150 metres away from one another, the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) is a two-pronged package of considered food for thought.

At the furthest end is GOMA, home to contemporary art. No matter what exhibition is showing, it’s guaranteed to be a melting pot of intoxicating creativity.

Stroll down the path, past the bus interchange, to QAG for similarly captivating curations. When you’re not buried in its exhibitions, you’ll be soothed by the building’s central ‘watermall’ (you need to see it to appreciate its beauty) and sculpture courtyard.

Streets Beach

The inner city’s genius answer to relentlessly hot Brisbane temperatures? Throwing a sandy beach and multiple swimming spots right in the action. Streets Beach is a man-made saviour, cooling locals and visitors through its lagoon-style beaches, flowing creeks and shaded chill zones in the middle of South Bank. Plus, it’s fit for families as a professional lifeguard patrols the area every day of the week.

Queensland Museum Kurilpa

a little girl getting her hands on an interactive exhibit at SparkLab — Kids can enjoy all things science, technology and space at SparkLab. (Image: Markus Ravik)

Offering free entry and highly engaging exhibitions, Queensland Museum Kurilpa is a South Bank institution that pays tribute to the state’s historical roots.

From prehistoric predators at the kid magnet Dinosaurs Unearthed to SparkLab , an interactive mecca of science, space and technology, there’s always something to excite and delight.

The Collective Markets

If you’re a sucker for a souvenir, you’re in luck. Stretching right along South Bank’s Little Stanley Street from Friday to Sunday, The Collective Markets collates artisanal treasures, fresh local produce, hard-to-find homewares and more. One of the best Brisbane markets to explore, it’s also dotted with live music and entertainment, creating even more of a buzz throughout the district.

The Wheel of Brisbane

Brisbane’s very own London Eye is The Wheel of Brisbane , a Ferris wheel that soars 60 metres above ground level. Providing a 360-degree view of the entire city, each air-conditioned (thank goodness) gondola seats up to eight people and operates every day of the week. Food and drink packages are also available to pre-purchase to make a real occasion of the experience.

Nepalese Pagoda

Offering quiet serenity amid the chaos, the Nepalese Pagoda can be found within South Bank’s parklands, between Clem Jones Promenade and Rainforest Walk.

The beautiful three-level structure was built using more than 80 tonnes of Nepalese timber, hand-carved with extreme intricacy. You can step inside the bottom level to see every inch of its grandness up close.

South Bank restaurant and bars

From delicious seasonal produce and international fare to utterly electric bars, the wining and dining scene at South Bank is flat-out fabulous.

Baba Ganouj

Send your tastebuds soaring at Baba Ganouj , an energetic South Bank restaurant at the southern end that champions the flavours of Lebanon. Traditional dining, including all your favourite dippable starters, falafel and shawarma plates, is nailed with contemporary flair and warm, welcoming service.

Bar Rosa

Soak up the high life at Bar Rosa , a lovely spot for vino o’clock and a bite to eat. Inspired by flavour-rich Italian cuisine, the South Bank wine bar is located at the start of Fish Lane, an entertainment precinct within an entertainment precinct.

Slick black timbers, soft lighting, epic handmade pasta and top-notch international drops make it a winner from every angle.

Terrace Rooftop Bar at Emporium Hotel South Bank

the building exterior of Emporium Hotel South Bank — A stay at the Emporium Hotel South Bank will let you luxuriate in its superb amenities.

The wonderfully positioned Terrace Rooftop Bar has been attracting a stylish crowd of after-work revellers and weekend partygoers for years, as its views across the river and Brisbane CBD are exceptional.

You can visit for breakfast and lunch, and even stay at the hotel beneath (more on that later), but sunset and after-dark drop-ins offer the ultimate good times as the city twinkles elegantly below.

Soleil Pool Bar

Keen to let your hair down? Head to Soleil Pool Bar , located on the podium level of Rydges South Bank, for poolside glamour.

Fruity cocktails, private booths, an impressive grazing menu and that all-too-inviting pool provide all the ingredients for a great time.

South Bank accommodation

There’s too much to experience in one day at South Bank, so do the smart thing and rest your head at one of the precinct’s luxurious overnight stays.

Emporium Hotel South Bank

View from the Emporium hotel pool in Brisbane — In addition to a range of onsite bars and restaurants, there is also the incredible rooftop pool.

The most luxe option is Emporium Hotel South Bank , an award-winning, five-star stay. Situated on Grey Street right near the South Bank train station, it’s got all the amenities your adventure could need while placing you at the foot of everything worth exploring.

Multiple bars and dining experiences, a rooftop pool, gym, sauna and steam room are all onsite, and if you’re staying in one of the premier suites, they can even arrange for a chauffeured Maserati to zip you around the city.

Rydges South Bank Brisbane

A consistently comfortable choice, Rydges South Bank Brisbane offers a prime location on Glenelg Street, basically bang in the centre of South Bank, a range of rooms and suites including family-friendly choices, private balconies, easy access to Soleil Pool Bar, a gym, a sauna and solid dining options.

Mantra South Bank Brisbane

Located on Grey Street, just a few steps away from Ridges, Mantra South Bank Brisbane is another plush accommodation option. Choose from a range of self-contained stays and break up your South Bank wandering in favour of the hotel’s 20-metre lap pool. There’s also a spa, multiple dining options and undercover parking to take advantage of.

Unlock more of Brisbane’s best experiences before you visit with our travel guide.

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.

A go-to guide to South Bank, Brisbane