South Bank Transforms Brisbane Into Australia's Premier Cultural Destination

Brisbane's South Bank Parklands have developed over three decades from the site of the 1988 World Expo into the city's most comprehensively activated public space, combining a beach lagoon, rainforest walk, riverfront esplanades, the Queensland Cultural Centre, and a dense concentration of cafes and restaurants into a single precinct that serves every kind of visitor and resident use from morning walk to evening concert.

The Streets Beach at South Bank, an artificial beach with filtered water and ocean sand in the middle of the CBD, provides the swimming experience that would otherwise require a drive to the coast and has been imitated in its concept, if not yet its execution, by waterfront developments in several other Australian cities. The beach's year-round operation reflects Brisbane's climate advantage, though the heat of Brisbane summers requires shade structures and water features that limit the beach's comfort for some users during the hottest months.

The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, opened in 2006, has established Queensland's position on the international contemporary art circuit through programming that combines international acquisitions and touring exhibitions with a commitment to Australian and Pacific art that reflects the gallery's geographic position in the region. The Asia Pacific Triennial of Contemporary Art, a recurring exhibition series that QAGOMA originated, has been one of the most significant contributions to Australia's engagement with regional contemporary art practice.

Convention and events programming at South Bank, connected to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, provides a sustained base of activity that fills the precinct with visitors from interstate and internationally who add to the ambient energy without overwhelming the resident-serving functions that make South Bank a daily destination rather than an occasional visitor attraction.