The man-made beach at Brisbane's South Bank features a crystal lagoon with enough water to fill five Olympic-size swimming pools, clean white beaches and subtropical trees and exotic plants.
Chlorinated fresh water is recirculated every six hours at up to 125 litres per second. The water is pumped through two large sand filters and chemically treated before being returned back to the beach. The 4000 cubic metres of sand comes from Rous Channel in Moreton Bay and 70 tonnes is added each year to the South Bank Beach.
Lifeguards patrol South Bank Beach 365 days a year and during summer (December to February) from 7am to midnight daily.
Lawns and barbecue facilities around South Bank Beach are popular for picnics.
River cruises
Daily river cruises are available on the MV Neptune which departs at 10am, 12 noon, 2pm and 4pm from its South Bank home at the river lookout opposite the Nepalese Pagoda. The 90-minute cruise journeys to Breakfast Creek before returning to South Bank. In the warmer months, 6pm and 8pm cruises are available.
From the Queensland Maritime Museum at South Bank, Sunday river cruises to Moreton Island on the historic steam tug Forceful provide an aquatic weekend excursion. River trips to Moreton Bay run from 10am until 4pm.
For a paddle wheeler experience, take the Brisbane River cruise aboard the Kookaburra River Queen.
Water sports
Because of its riverside location, South Bank offers a range of water activities, from dragon boating, rowing and outriggers, to water skiing and canoeing.
A number of aquatic sports competitions -- from surf life saving to corporate regattas -- are held yearly on the Brisbane River in front of South Bank.
Visit the South Bank website for details of events and activities.
Next page: South Bank Dining and Shopping
