Brisbane is a great city to explore on foot. On this walk you'll enjoy city and river views and see rock climbers and public art. The walk is suitable for families with strollers. If you'd like, you can join this walk with the New Farm to City Botanic Gardens walk by adding a quick ferry trip to make a circuit.
South Bank to Dockside
This is a good walk for later in the afternoon as the sun will mostly be behind you. In the evening, you'll see the city and Kangaroo Point cliffs light up.
- Grade: Easy
- Time: 2 hours
- Distance: 4.5km one way
- Highlights: river and city views, rock climbers, public art, ferry ride
Start at South Bank CityCat terminals 1/2 and with the river on your left, follow the wide Clem Jones Promenade. After a minute, you'll pass Australia's only inner city beach and the free lagoon style swimming pools which are very popular during summer.
At South Bank Ferry terminal 3, take the path to the right, away from the river towards the Grand Arbour. The Arbour runs the length of South Bank and is lined with 403 curling steel columns that support bougainvillea vines. Turn left and follow the Grand Arbour to the Queensland Maritime Museum and entrance to the Goodwill Bridge. Walk past these and follow the path to the left where you'll see a sign marked ‘The Cliffs Boardwalk'.
Follow this path down to rejoin the river walk. Keep an eye out for the many sculptures and artworks along - and sometimes on - the river. From here, simply keep the river on your left and follow the path.
You might see rock climbers scaling the Kangaroo Point cliffs. Further on you'll walk under the Story Bridge at Captain Burke Park. There is a playground here and benches to take in the view. Finish one kilometre on at the Dockside Ferry Terminal where you can catch an Inner City Ferry back to South Bank, or to Sydney Street to join the New Farm to City Botanic Gardens walk. For cafes, walk 150 metres to Dockside Town Square.
Taken from Brisbane's Best Bush, Bay and City Walks by Dianne McLay
Brisbane's Best Bush, Bay and City Walks is a full colour guide to over 30 walks in Brisbane written by local author, Dianne McLay. The book is available in bookshops.
More information on walks on ourbrisbane.com
