LGS SB 1.4 Location Description – South Bank Parklands

South Bank Precinct Description

The South Bank Parklands, a 42-hectare precinct situated in the suburb of South Brisbane, occupies a prime location on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, directly opposite Brisbane City. Developed on the former site of Brisbane’s World Expo 88, the parklands were officially opened to the public on 20 June 1992. The precinct is bounded by the Victoria Bridge to the north and the Goodwill Bridge and Maritime Museum to the south.

The parklands feature a harmonious blend of rainforest, water elements, open grassy spaces, and plazas. Notable attractions include the riverfront promenade, Streets Beach, the Grand Arbour, the Piazza, the Nepalese Peace Pagoda, the Wheel of Brisbane, and a variety of restaurants, shops, and fountains.

South Bank also serves as a key cultural hub, housing prominent institutions such as the Queensland Conservatorium, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Griffith University, the State Library of Queensland, the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), the Queensland Museum, ABC news offices, and the Queensland Convention Centre.

As Brisbane’s premier cultural and recreational precinct, South Bank Parklands regularly hosts large-scale festivals and events. Attracting approximately 14 million visitors annually, it is recognized as Australia’s most visited landmark. The parklands are managed by the South Bank Corporation, a statutory body established by the Queensland Government in 1989. The Corporation’s mission is to “continue to build on South Bank’s heritage and iconic legacy as the green heart of our great city for people who come to meet, work, play, and invest here.”

Aquatic Facilities

There are 3 swimming areas within the South Bank Parklands: Streets Beach, Aquativity, and the Boat pool.

1. Streets beach (also known as main beach or main pool) comprises a lagoon with a sand beach. The lagoon has the volume of 5 Olympic swimming pools with chlorinated fresh water, recirculated every 6 hours at up to 125 liters per second. The lagoon is surrounded by palm trees and shaded seating areas. The pool has variable depth up to 1.8 meters. It is split into 3 parts by lane ropes with the northern and southern areas having a maximum depth of 1.1 meters.

2. Boat Pool is located to the north of Streets beach. It is separated by a boardwalk with seating areas and palm trees. The pool has a uniform depth of 1.1 meters, excluding the entrance ramp. It does not have sand.

3. Aquativity is located to the south of Streets beach. It is also separated by a boardwalk with seating and palm trees. It consists of several fountains and other water features for children. It has a variable depth up to 0.8 meters.