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.

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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.

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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.

Cruise Whitsundays’ famous Reefworld has undergone a complete transformation – here’s why it has become one of Australia’s most extraordinary places to spend the night.

Imagine sleeping under the stars or beneath the sea, snorkelling vibrant coral gardens, and enjoying a dining experience that wouldn’t feel out of place at a top restaurant – all from a pontoon moored on the Great Barrier Reef. In a country that excels at extraordinary, immersive travel experiences, the reimagined Reefworld in Queensland’s Whitsundays has joined the upper echelons.

Cruise Whitsundays has unveiled an extensive transformation of Reefworld, its pontoon permanently moored at Hardy Reef on the outer Great Barrier Reef.

First opened in 2019, Reefworld is home to the famous underwater Reefsuites – Australia’s first underwater hotel – and was originally designed as a dual-purpose pontoon for both day visitors and overnight guests.

Now, it has been transformed into an overnight-only experience, giving guests exclusive access to the pontoon and the reef, with more space, greater comfort and a more immersive way to experience this unique environment.

The transformation forms part of Journey Beyond’s $40 million investment in responsible reef tourism in the region.

Read on for eight reasons to book a stay at the reimagined Reefworld now.

1. A scenic cruise through the Whitsundays

cruise whitsundays boat on Great Barrier Reef Adventure tour — Start with a cruise of the gorgeous Whitsundays.

Your journey to Reefworld begins with a scenic cruise through the Whitsundays: dark-green islands daubed on an endless expanse of blue. Welcome to Ngaro Sea Country.

Departing Port of Airlie, Daydream Island or Hamilton Island, a high-speed catamaran with priority boarding for Reefworld guests will whisk you across the Coral Sea to the outer reef.

From next year, a new 35-metre catamaran will join the Cruise Whitsundays fleet, featuring an exclusive-use lounge area reserved for Reefworld guests. Snacks and refreshments are available onboard.

Depending on the time of year, migrating humpback whales may pass you on your journey.

2. A sense of arrival

aerial view of new cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon — Watch as your home on the reef rolls into view.

Around two hours after leaving Hamilton Island, the Reefworld pontoon shimmers into view on the horizon.

As you sail closer towards Hardy Reef – where the pontoon is permanently moored – your home for the next 27 hours comes into focus, including the plush new beds where Reefsleep guests will spend the night. Anticipation builds for the unique experience to come.

The everyday world slips away as you alight the catamaran and step onto the pontoon. Now exclusively reserved for up to 36 overnight guests at a time, it has undergone an extensive transformation.

The sense of space, peace and quiet is palpable as you’re welcomed with a cold non-alcoholic drink. Dab your brow with a refreshing cold towel and take in the stillness – interrupted only by the sound of flying fish slapping the water’s surface.

From the moment you arrive in the late morning, the whole place is yours to enjoy. Reefworld has been redeveloped with considered spaces designed to help you make the most of your downtime.

On the lower deck, you’ll find a bar serving tea, coffee, soft drinks and alcoholic beverages, alongside comfy lounge areas where you can sit back and take in mesmerising reef views.

Spend the rest of the day at leisure, relaxed in the knowledge that you don’t have to leave again until tomorrow afternoon.

3. Elevated food and beverage (including quality coffee!)

cruise whitsunday reefworld food offering — Indulge in an elevated food and beverage offering onboard.

Elevated food and drink is central to the new Reefworld experience. The all-inclusive offering focuses on high-quality regional dining.

A seafood buffet lunch might include Hervey Bay scallops grilled in shell with garlic and herb butter or line-caught reef fish baked with lemon thyme oil.

A signature three-course dinner paired with premium Australian wines might dish up an entrée of Whitsunday blue swimmer crab wontons with smoked salmon caviar in a butter sauce, a main of Queensland grass-fed beef-eye fillet, and a tropical coconut and pineapple confection for dessert. Dietary requirements are catered for (notify team at time of booking).

A hot breakfast buffet offers a selection of cooked favourites, smoked salmon, cheeses, and yoghurts, fresh fruit, toast and cereals.

All-inclusive beverages include bottled beer and cider, soft drinks and Australian wine including sparkling. Or choose from a range of premium spirits and cocktails such as the 74 Islands Limoncello Spritz, made with a liqueur crafted right here in the Whitsundays.

Perhaps the biggest boon of all? Barista-made coffee, available from 6.30 am. Only in Australia could you order an oat flat white in the middle of a coral reef.

4. Snorkel one of the GBR’s most diverse reefs

guests snorkelling the great barrier reef at cruise whitsunday reefworld — Dive into the Great Barrier Reef.

Reefworld sits above Hardy Reef, one of the most biologically diverse outer reef systems in the Great Barrier Reef. Exploring it is a simple matter of popping on a mask, snorkel and flippers and slipping into the water straight from the pontoon.

Being in the outer reef means the water is clear, and marine life is abundant: here you could spot giant trevally, Māori wrasse, clownfish, parrotfish, nudibranch and giant clams, as well as vibrant coral gardens.

Snorkel at your leisure over two days. Prefer to stay above the water level? Head to the underwater observatory or join an optional semi-submersible guided tour, and you might still spot the resident two-metre-long Queensland grouper, George, doing the rounds. Or Crush, one of 12 resident green sea turtles.

5. A luxurious sleep under the stars

cruise whitsunday reefworld pontoon reefsleep beds — Spend the night in one of 16 spacious, four-poster beds.

At the heart of the reimagined Reefworld is its elevated Reefsleep experience. On the upper deck are 16 spacious, four-poster beds, replacing the earlier swag-inspired accommodation and giving up to 32 guests the chance to sleep under the stars with increased privacy and added comfort.

With names like Parrot Fish and Spotted Ray, each Reefbed is of its place and has everything you need: not least a queen-size bed with premium linens, decked out in coastal shades befitting the location. USB charging ports, reading lights and fans provide extra convenience and comfort. The beds are set up as daybeds in the afternoon, then turned down in time for sleep.

Double-layer canvas and mesh flaps allow you to customise your experience and exposure to the elements: zip up for maximum privacy and shelter or leave wide open to stargaze as you drift off to sleep.

Come morning, enjoy the luxury of watching the sun rise over the reef from the comfort of the covers (if facing east).

6. Refreshed underwater Reefsuites

Reefsuites room at reefworld — Let the locals form your bedroom view.

Reefsuites is Australia’s first underwater hotel and remains among the most unique stays in the country – if not the world. Its two suites have had a glow-up as part of Reefworld’s transformation, but the floor-to-ceiling underwater views of the Great Barrier Reef remain unchanged.

Choose between king double or twin single sleeping configurations, with premium bedding and a glass-walled en suite in each suite. This is your front-row seat to the marine life of the reef in all its nocturnal glory.

7. A sensational sunset and canapés session

cruise whitsunday reefworld guests enjooying sunset canapes — Wait for sunset at Australia’s best bar.

There’s even a designated new spot for sunset canapés. Could this be Australia’s best bar? That’s what you will be asking come evening, as you gather on the upper deck for a Sunset Canapés session.

Reefworld’s refreshed design includes a designated space for this very ritual. Grab a drink at the bar – bubbles, perhaps, or a G&T with locally produced gin – and pull up a stool to settle in for one of the most spectacular sunsets you’ll ever see.

Nibble on a chef’s selection of light bites as the sun puddles into the molten Coral Sea, bathing the entire pontoon in a glorious glow. It doesn’t get more golden hour than this.

8. Extras: the adventure continues

tour leader preparing scua diving gear at cruise whitsunday reefworld — Choose from a range of extra activities to help you keep exploring.

And that’s not where the adventure ends. Your Reefworld stay also includes access to the underwater observatory and a guided semi-submarine tour, plus a complimentary guided snorkel safari led by expert reef guides. For those looking to do even more, add-ons include scuba diving and scenic flights over Heart Reef, available at an additional cost.

As part of Cruise Whitsundays’ investment in reef tourism, nearby permanent Heart Pontoon has also undergone a significant refurbishment, further enhancing the visitor experience.

The details

Reefworld is open now as an overnight‑only pontoon, exclusively for Reefsleep and Reefsuite guests. Stays start from $895 per person for Reefsleep and $1495 per person for a Reefsuite, based on double occupancy.

Book an unforgettable sleep out on the Great Barrier Reef at cruisewhitsundays.com.

A go-to guide to South Bank, Brisbane

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

Top reasons to visit South Bank