Brisbane’s South Bank: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

About this tour

Walk South Bank's waterfront precinct on your own schedule with this audio-guided route spanning 75 to 105 minutes. You'll trace the area's journey from convict labour camp and rowdy docks to Brisbane's cultural and eating hub, stopping at landmarks like the intricately hand-carved Nepalese Peace Pagoda and quirky public art. The path loops through parks, beaches, and green spaces before finishing at the Plough Inn, a heritage pub serving straightforward Australian fare and live music.

Highlights

• Nepalese Peace Pagoda: hand-carved by 160 craftsmen, zero nails or machinery
• Streets Beach: lagoon-style swimming in the city precinct
• Upside-down elephant sculpture and other surprising artworks
• The Boat Pond, River Quay Green, and Picnic Island for waterside lounging
• Plough Inn: historic pub with cold drinks and live sets
• Self-guided flexibility: start and finish on your own timeline

What to expect

You'll navigate South Bank via GPS on your phone using the dedicated app, with audio commentary guiding you between stations. The route is flat, mostly paved, and winds through open parkland and esplanade sections, so you can pause whenever something catches your eye. You'll hear the story of how wharves and rowdy waterfront bars transformed into family-friendly cultural spaces. Allow extra time if you want to swim, sit with a coffee, or browse the precinct's restaurants and galleries—the audio itself takes 75–105 minutes, but the real experience stretches longer when you linger.

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