Brisbane - the City that has it All

Brisbane is a green city with an enviable subtropical climate and diverse population. It is known for its vibrant outdoor lifestyle, friendly locals, all mixed into a very cosmopolitan hub for arts, culture and dining lifestyle.

One of the most diverse places that seems to tick everyone's checklist is South Bank, located on the southern banks of the Brisbane River. With its 17 hectares of lush parklands, world-class eateries, stunning river views and hundreds of delightful events all year round, South Bank is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Swimming

Brisbane is known for its beautiful warm sunny days and balmy evenings. At South Bank there are free aqua spaces for you to enjoy all year round.

• Street Beach is Australia’s only inner-city, man-made beach. It boasts white sandy beaches, tropical plants and a large lagoon, that is patrolled by qualified lifeguards
• Aquativity is an area of the park that has a fun and interactive water-play park that features a range of educational play elements that reference the Brisbane River
• The Boat Pool Is a larger and deeper pool where families splash around in the cool, blue water

Surrounding the swimming area are casual eateries that will be enjoyed by even the fussiest of eaters! Families can spend the whole day here, as there is so much to entertain children of all ages. Sit back, relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings of South Bank.

Recreation

Swimming is one of the main attractions at South Bank, but there are also wonderful activities for the whole family. Grab a few foodie items and enjoy the picturesque picnic areas and free barbecue facilities that are open all year round. The two incredible playgrounds in South Bank are a child's delight with state-of-the-art equipment that will entertain the kids for hours!

Free Brisbane Tours and Sightseeing

There is so much to see at South Bank and to make it easy, they have tours that start at 10am from the South Bank Information & Booking Centre, seven days a week and run for two to four hours each. They’re a great way to learn more about the city! For more information contact the South Bank Information & Booking Centre on 07 3156 6366 or at [email protected]. There are also lots of walking paths, cruises and The Wheel of Brisbane. This huge, slow moving, Ferris Wheel offers a 360-degree, panoramic outlook from the comfort of an air-conditioned gondola, the whole city is laid out right in front of you!.

Art and Culture in Brisbane

South Bank is a thriving precinct of dedicated, world-class theatre, arts and educational institutions.

• The Performing Arts Centre showcases enormous talents from the city, nationally and internationally.
• The museum has natural history, cultural heritage and human achievement. The Science centre offers visitors the opportunity to take part in exciting and educational kinetic, interactive displays and experiments. With so much to do, it will be hard to decide what to do first!

Whatever you decide, you will find most things to do at South Bank are family friendly and budget friendly.

Architecture

The beautiful buildings at South Bank vary in style and age and some are more than 100 years old. Please see a few highlights of stunning architecture at its finest:

• South Brisbane Railway Station-Construction was completed in 1891 and is still in use today. It is the second oldest railway station in central Brisbane..
• The Goodwill Bridge- a dedicated footbridge which links the Brisbane River’s north and south banks, connecting South Bank with the city at Gardens Point. It is an impressive structure that is not open to vehicular traffic and also features public art along its length.
• The Gallery of Modern Art-features a focus on the contemporary art of Australia, Asia and the Pacific. There is a Children’s Art Centre and lots for the individual or family to see.
• The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), The State Library of Queensland, The Queensland Art Gallery and The Queensland Museum and Sciencentre, are four buildings that make up South Bank’s original ‘cultural centre’ and were all designed by Brisbane architect, Robin Gibson. They are classic examples of Australia’s ‘brutalist’ architecture.
• The River Quay has amazing outdoor rooms and use of verandahs. , The building’s twisted, folded and cantilevered rooves captures the shifting movements of the Brisbane River.

Gardens of Brisbane

The gardens at South Bank are called the The Epicurious Garden. For those that are gardening enthusiasts or foodies, this is a must-see! Its name ‘Epicurious’ is a play on the word ‘Epicurean’ and refers to someone who is in constant pursuit of great food, drink and adventure. The productive garden was designed to educate and inspire the home gardener, offering fresh seasonal produce harvested regularly, with free samples available for tasting as the produce grows. With the opportunity to talk to dedicated gardener volunteers (who are onsite from 7-11.30am on Tuesdays, this is a chance to get fabulous recipe suggestions and learn how to cook with fresh produce in your own home.

At Rad Car Hire Brisbane customer service is our top priority. We are happy to offer friendly advice and recommendations when you hire your car, so that your visit to Brisbane is tailored to the activities you like.