South Bank Parklands

The South Bank Parklands are located at South Bank within the suburb of South Brisbane in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. The parkland, on the transformed site of Brisbane's World Expo 88, was officially opened to the public on 20 June 1992.[1]

South Bank Parklands
Streets Beach and Grand Arbour, South Bank Parklands
LocationSouth Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates27.4787°S 153.0229°E / -27.4787; 153.0229
Area17.5 hectares (0.068 sq mi)
Opened20 June 1992 (1992-06-20)[1]
Open5:00 am - midnight
StatusOpen all year
Parking800 spaces
Public transit accessTrain, bus and ferry
Websitewww.visitsouthbank.com.au

The South Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, at South Bank, directly opposite the City. The parklands are connected to the City by the Victoria Bridge at the northern end, and to Gardens Point by the Goodwill Bridge at the southern end.

The parklands consist of a mixture of rainforest, water, grassed areas and plazas as well as features such as the riverfront promenade, the Streets Beach, the Grand Arbour, the Courier Mail Piazza, the Nepalese Peace Pagoda, the Wheel of Brisbane, restaurants, shops and fountains. The parklands are also home to the Queensland Conservatorium.

South Bank and its parklands are one of Brisbane's most important cultural precincts and they regularly host large scale festivals and events. Approximately 11,000,000 people visit South Bank Parklands each year.

History

South Bank was originally a meeting place for the traditional landowners, the Turrbal and Yuggera people and, in the early 1840s it became the central focus point of early European settlement. From the 1850s, South Bank Precinct was quickly established as the business centre of Brisbane. However, this was all disrupted when the 1893 Brisbane floods forced the central business district to shift to the northern side of the river and attain higher ground. This is where the Brisbane central business district still stands today. This began the decline of South Bank, and the area became home to vaudeville theatres, derelict boarding houses, and light and heavy industry.

The 1970s marked the beginnings of a new era, with parkland reclaimed along the river bank, and the Queensland Cultural Centre was built which included the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and State Library of Queensland (today it also includes the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art).

A panoramic view of Streets Beach

In 1988, Brisbane held a successful World Expo 88, following which the Government intended to develop the site for commercial interests. However, a public campaign successfully lobbied for the site to be redeveloped as parkland for the enjoyment of people in Brisbane. In 1989, the South Bank Corporation, a Queensland Government statutory body, was established to oversee the development and management of the new South Bank Parklands.[2]

In 1998, a major redevelopment was announced that included the Goodwill Bridge, Grey Street, Grand Arbour and improvements to accessibility via removal of the canals and associated pathways.[3]

In 2013, the South Bank Corporation contracted the Brisbane City Council to provide maintenance services and to manage the public green spaces, while Brisbane Marketing (a subsidiary of the council) manages the marketing and events. The Corporation retains responsibility for the commercial tenants, the carpark and the renewal planning.[4]

The Goodwill Bridge connecting the South Bank Parklands to Gardens Point

Access and transport

Walking

The South Bank Parklands can be accessed from South Bank via Vulture Street, Little Stanley Street and the Cultural Forecourt; from the City via the Victoria Bridge; from Gardens Point via the Goodwill Bridge; and from Kangaroo Point via the Riverwalk.

Public transport

The South Bank Parklands are within walking distance of the Cultural Centre busway station and the South Bank busway station, as well as the South Brisbane railway station and South Bank railway station. There are three CityCat terminals on the Brisbane River, near the Victoria Bridge.

Bicycle

Bicycles can access the Brisbane, South Bank Parklands from South Bank via Vulture Street, Little Stanley Street and the Cultural Forecourt; from Gardens Point via the Goodwill Bridge; and from Kangaroo Point via the Riverwalk. Bicycle racks are located at the Visitors Centre in Stanley Street Plaza, Suncorp Piazza, The Boardwalk, Clem Jones Promenade and Little Stanley Street.

The South Bank Arbour at the northern entrance to the South Bank Parklands, 2005

Attractions

The Arbour
Main article: South Bank Grand Arbour

The Arbour consists of 443 curling steel columns covered in bougainvilleas which flower throughout the year. The arbour stretches for 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) from Vulture Street to the Cultural Forecourt and is used as a pedestrian walkway.[5]

South Bank Piazza

The South Bank Piazza (formerly Suncorp Piazza and Courier Mail Piazza) is an open-air amphitheater which is frequently used for community events. It has a seating capacity of 2,158. When not in use, the Piazza displays news and sports on two suspended screens.[6]

Wheel of Brisbane at dusk

Wheel of Brisbane
Main article: Wheel of Brisbane

The Wheel of Brisbane is a 60-metre (197 ft) tall Ferris wheel erected at the parklands in August 2008 to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of World Expo 88 and 150th Anniversary of Queensland 1859–2009. It carries 42 gondolas on a 15-minute ride with panoramic views of the South Bank Parklands, the Brisbane River, and the City.[7]

Markets

The Young Designers Market is held on the first Sunday of every month (10:00am – 4:00pm), and features cutting edge garments and accessories from some of Brisbane's most talented young designers.[8]

The Nepalese Peace Pagoda at night

Nepalese Peace Pagoda
Main article: Nepalese Peace Pagoda

The Nepalese Peace Pagoda was originally located on the Expo site and was moved to its new South Bank Parklands riverfront location at the conclusion of the Expo after a successful government and private fundraising campaign to keep the Pagoda in Brisbane. With its traditional Nepali architecture, art work and first level meditation area, it is a popular attraction.

Restaurants and cafés

South Bank is a major dining precinct in Brisbane, and many establishments are situated inside the South Bank Parklands includes Ahmet's, Café San Marco, Chez Laila, Mado, River Canteen, The Plough Inn, Timmy's, Gandhi Curry House, Wang Dynasty.[9] Directly on Streets Beach, South Bank Surf Club was opened by celebrity chef Ben O'Donoghue, and features seafood on its menu with a laid-back attitude. Immediately adjacent is Live Fire Steak Bar, an al fresco restaurant and function space with modern décor and features craft beers.[10][11] The popular Boardwalk restaurants clustered at the southern end of the grounds, built for Expo 88, were demolished between 2009-13 and replaced with the contemporary restaurants along Clem Jones Promenade near the Goodwill Bridge.

Streets Beach
Streets Beach
Fountains at the entrance to South Bank Parklands — (photo taken during the 1990s)

A major feature within the parkland is its man-made beach, which is 2,000 square metres (22,000 sq ft) of free-formed concrete surrounded by 2,000 cubic metres (71,000 cu ft) of sand. The sand surrounding the beach is sourced from the Rous Channel in Moreton Bay and every year the beach is topped up with an additional 70 tonnes (69 long tons; 77 short tons) to ensure that it is kept in pristine condition. Almost half of the lagoon area sits on reclaimed land that was once the Brisbane River.

The beach was designed by Desmond Brookes International and was constructed by Fletcher Jennings Construction and Water and Industrial Engineering. Construction commenced in February 1991 and was complete by June 1992. The lagoon contains chlorinated fresh water that is recirculated every six hours at up to 125 litres (27 imp gal; 33 US gal) per second. Water for the beach is pumped through two large sand filters and chemically treated before being pumped back into the pools. Dredge pump and self-propelled sifting machines clean the adjoining pools.

The beach has received awards including the 1999 Moreton Bay region's cleanest beach in the Keep Australia Beautiful Council's Clean Beach Challenge and the 2001 Environmental Protection Agency's Keep Australia Beautiful Clean Beach Challenge, Friendliest Beach Award. The beach area comprises a lagoon with enough water to fill five Olympic swimming pools, with sand beaches, palm trees, rocky creeks and subtropical trees and exotic plantings.

The beach is named after the sponsor Streets Ice Cream, and was formerly known as Kodak Beach.[12] The beach is patrolled year round by lifeguards.[13]

Former Attractions

Our World Environment

Our World Environment was a walk through attraction that included a recreation of Mawson's Huts.[14] It closed in 1994.[15]

South Ships

These were transport vessels which travelled along the canals that made up the park.[14] They stopped operating in 1997 and the canals were removed as part the 1998 redevelopment.[15] [16]

Festivals and events

The South Bank Parklands host a number of annual cultural events and festivals including the Australia Day Festival, Riverfire and New Year's Eve celebrations.[17] In 2009, Riverfire drew more than half a million spectators to the South Bank Parklands.[18]

Awards

In 2009, as part of the Q150 celebrations, South Bank Parklands was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "location".[19]

Facilities

Parking

The Parklands Underground Carpark has more than 800 car parking spaces. Access is via Tribune Street or Glenelg Street, off Little Stanley Street.[20]

  • Another Parking options:
  • Brisbane City Council King George square parking space: it is walking distance to South Bank and parking rate is cheaper than South Bank parking space (example: Friday after 4:30 pm 3 hours parking: South Bank $25, King George Square: $5 flat rate)
  • BCC street parking: first 15 minutes free with registration and hourly rate

[21]

Bathrooms and Showers

Showers are located in Stanley Street Plaza and there are five bathroom facilities

Internet Connectivity

Free internet access is available from the park area by 24/7 Limitations of Internet: exceed the time limit of five hours and up to 512 kbps speed

Concept

When South Bank Parklands were developed following World Expo 88, there were canals, bridges and launches. There were also a wildlife refuge called Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary as well as a Butterfly House. In January 1998, Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary was closed down and the animals relocated.

The Butterfly House was later renamed as the Butterfly and Insect House. In April 1998, the Butterfly and Insect House was renamed as South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary, with the introduction of other wildlife. In the latter half of 2005, the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary was closed and dismantled and an office and retail store were built on the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary's former location. Also gone from South Bank Parklands are the canals, bridges and launches. Visitors were originally able to hire golf carts to tour the grounds as well. This attraction was also phased out with Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary and the canals.

See also

References
  1. John Stubbs (21 June 1992). "Brisbane's $100M Oasis Opens". The Sun-Herald (Queensland ed.). Sydney, Australia. p. 3. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  2. Our heritage and milestones Archived 12 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine. South Bank Corporation. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  3. Matthew, Fynes-Clinton (24 October 1998). "Vision Splendid To Put Brisbane On The Map". Courier Mail, The (2 - First With The News ed.). Brisbane, Australia. p. 012. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  4. "About Us". South Bank Corporation. Archived from the original on 6 March 2021. Retrieved 31 January 2022.
  5. The Arbour Archived 18 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. South Bank Corporation. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  6. Suncorp Piazza Archived 21 March 2012 at the Wayback Machine. South Bank Corporation. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  7. Wheel of Brisbane Archived 27 December 2011 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  8. Young Designers Market Archived 18 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. South Bank Corporation. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  9. Eat + Drink Archived 19 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. South Bank Corporation. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  10. "Southbank Surf Club". Archived from the original on 21 February 2015. Retrieved 21 February 2015.
  11. Live Fire Steak Bar Archived 21 February 2015 at the Wayback Machine
  12. "Kodak Beach - Southbank". Brisbane City Council Library Services. Brisbane City Council. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  13. "Swimming". Visit Brisbane. Brisbane Marketing Economic Development Board. Archived from the original on 27 September 2016. Retrieved 25 September 2016.
  14. Diana Simicevic (6 August 1992). "Expo Site Comes Clean". Sydney Morning Herald (Late ed.). Sydney, Australia. p. 34. ISSN 0312-6315. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  15. Retschlag, Christine (27 December 2000). "South Bank becomes Brisbane's West Bank". Courier Mail, The (1 - First with the news ed.). Brisbane, Australia. p. 011. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  16. M, Cole (24 October 1998). "New look for South Bank". Courier Mail, The (2 - First With The News ed.). Brisbane, Australia. p. 001. Archived from the original on 31 January 2022. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
  17. Special Events. ourbrisbane.com.au via Way Back Machine Internet Archive. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  18. Samantha Healy & Daniel Tang (13 September 2009). Riverfire fireworks dazzle thousands Archived 22 September 2009 at the Wayback Machine. The Sunday Mail. News Queensland. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  19. Bligh, Anna (10 June 2009). "PREMIER UNVEILS QUEENSLAND'S 150 ICONS". Queensland Government. Archived from the original on 24 May 2017. Retrieved 24 May 2017.
  20. Parking Archived 8 January 2012 at the Wayback Machine. South Bank Corporation. Retrieved on 23 January 2012.
  21. Archived 3 September 2017 at the Wayback Machine. king-george-square-car-park. Retrieved on 23 January 2017.

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