South Bank, Queensland facts for kids

View of part of South Bank from the City.

South Bank is a fun and exciting area in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It's a great place for culture, social activities, learning, and just having fun! You can find South Bank in the suburb of South Brisbane, right on the southern side of the Brisbane River.

History of South Bank

The South Bank area was a very busy place for people arriving in Brisbane in the 1840s. By the 1850s, it had become the city's main business area. But after a big flood in 1893, the main business district moved to the north side of the river. By the 1930s, South Bank was a busy area with factories and a port for ships. Today, the Neville Bonner Bridge, a special bridge just for people walking, connects South Bank Parklands to the Queen's Wharf area in Brisbane's city center.

World Expo 88 and the Parklands

In 1984, South Bank was chosen to host World Expo 88. This huge event ran from April 30 to October 30, 1988. It brought in an amazing 18 million visitors! After Expo 88, the land was cleared. The plan was to sell it, but many people wanted it to become a public park instead. Because of their efforts, the land was turned into a park. The South Bank Parklands officially opened to the public on June 20, 1992.

On August 31, 2008, the Wheel Of Brisbane was built in the parklands. This giant Ferris wheel is 60 meters tall! It was put there to celebrate 20 years since Expo 88. The wheel was slightly damaged in 2011 during a river flood, but it was fixed.

Cool Places to See

South Bank Parklands

The South Bank Parklands are built on the land where World Expo 88 used to be. They are one of Brisbane's most popular spots for visitors. The parklands have many restaurants and cafes. You can also find famous landmarks here like the Queensland Conservatorium and the Wheel of Brisbane. Don't miss the Nepalese Peace Pagoda or Streets Beach, which is a free, human-made swimming area! The Grand Arbour is also a beautiful walkway. About 11 million people visit the South Bank Parklands every year.

Grey Street & Little Stanley Street

Many of Brisbane's best restaurants and fashion shops are on Grey Street and Little Stanley Street. Little Stanley Street runs right next to Grey Street. The South Bank Cinemas are also on Grey Street, where you can catch a movie.

Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre

The Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre is a huge building. It has many rooms for meetings and events. It has won many awards, making it one of the best convention centers in Australia and even the world! It was also where the G20 Leaders Summit was held in November 2014.

Queensland Maritime Museum

The Queensland Maritime Museum is located near the Goodwill Bridge. It's at the southern end of the South Bank Parklands. Here, you can explore a two-level exhibition building. There's also a library, a dry dock, a lighthouse, and several old ships to see!

Queensland Cultural Centre

The Queensland Cultural Centre is a group of amazing places for art and learning. It includes:

• The Queensland Performing Arts Centre
• The Queensland Museum and Science Centre
• The Queensland Art Gallery
• The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art
• The State Library of Queensland

Griffith University

Griffith University has three different campuses in South Bank. These include:

• The Queensland Conservatorium of Music, which is also home to Opera Queensland
• The Griffith Film School
• The Queensland College of Art

Getting Around South Bank

It's easy to get to and around South Bank using Translink services. You can travel by ferry, bus, or train.

• Ferries – You can catch a CityCat or Cityferry on the Brisbane River at South Bank.
• Buses – Buses stop at the South Bank busway station and Cultural Centre busway station.
• Trains – Trains arrive at the South Bank and South Brisbane railway stations.

Images for kids

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  Outside the Queensland Art Gallery

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  South Bank and the South Brisbane Cenotaph

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  The Entrance to South Bank Parklands

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  Streets Beach in the South Bank Parklands

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  Queensland Museum

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  "Dinosaur Garden" at Queensland Museum

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  South Bank Cinemas on Grey Street

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  Entrance to Brisbane Exhibition and Convention Centre

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  Cultural Centre Busway Station, the local busway station for South Bank