Encyclopedia
| South Bank Parklands, Brisbane
Encyclopedia
|
| Tutorials | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | Directory |
|
South Bank Parklands, Brisbane
The South Bank Arbour at the northern entrance to the South Bank Parklands. The former Visitors Information Centre (now Royal Brisbane International College) is at left. Photo taken during 2005. South Bank Parklands is a parkland which was opened to the public on 20 June, 1992. The parkland is located in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia on the transformed site of Brisbane's World Expo 88. OverviewSouth Bank Parklands are located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River, at South Bank, directly opposite the CBD. The parklands are connected to the Brisbane CBD by the Victoria Bridge at the northern end, — and the Queensland University of Technology and Brisbane City Botanic Gardens by the Goodwill Bridge at the southern end. There are numerous attractions at the parklands including the Wheel of Brisbane, a swimming lagoon with sandy beaches, the South Bank Arbour [1] [2] [3], rainforest walks, picnic areas and a picturesque riverfront promenade. Entertainment venues at South Bank Parklands include the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University and Suncorp Piazza. South Bank Parklands are also home to the Lifestyle Markets on Fridays (5pm-10pm), Saturdays (11am-5pm) and Sundays (9am-5pm). 9 million people visit South Bank Parklands each year. Access and TransportSouth Bank Parklands are close to:
And there is a CityCat wharf on the Brisbane River, near Victoria Bridge. AttractionsWheel of Brisbane
The Wheel of Brisbane (photo taken August 2008) The Board Walk, the Ship Inn and the Plough InnThe Board Walk, located at the Parkland's southern entry, is from World Expo '88 days where it was a popular eatery. It continues today with a variety of a la carte restaurants, and a French lebanese coffee house 'Chez Laila' amongst others. The Ship Inn and the Plough Inn are two of the pre-Expo 18th century heritage listed Pubs at the Expo, which were also used as pubs during the Expo. Today they feature a modern menu, with traditional pub fare. Restaurants, Coffee ShopsSouth Bank is a restaurant and coffee shop mecca, with a strong cosmopolitan flavour from all over the world, reflecting the many different restaurants and establishments at World Expo '88. South Bank ArbourReplacing the earlier artificial water canal is the South Bank Arbour[5] [6] [7], a natural purple bouganvillea-entwined walk that extends the length of the Parklands around an imaginative steel tendril support. The bouganvillea continue to grow along the supports, and flower all year round. Streets Beach
Streets Beach (photo taken during 2005) 
Streets Beach (photo taken during 2005) A major feature within the parkland is its man-made beach, which is 2000 square metres of free-formed concrete surrounded by 4000 cubic metres of sand. The sand surrounding the beach is sourced from the Rous Channel in Moreton Bay and every year the beach is topped up with an additional 70 tonnes to ensure that it is kept in pristine condition. Almost half of the lagoon area sits on reclaimed land that was once the Brisbane River. Streets Beach facts:
The beach area comprises a lagoon with enough water to fill five Olympic swimming pools, with sand beaches, palm trees, rocky creeks and subtropical trees and exotic plantings. The beach is patrolled seven days a week by lifeguards. The lagoon contains chlorinated fresh water that is recirculated every six hours at up to 125 litres per second. Water for the beach is pumped through two large sand filters and chemically treated before being pumped back into the pools. Dredge pump and self-propelled sifting machines clean the adjoining pools. 
A panorama view of Streets Beach, South Bank Parklands Legacy from World Expo '88
The Brisbane Nepal Peace Pagoda at South Bank Parklands. There are numerous heritage buildings from the hosting of World Expo 88 at the Parklands, including the popular eateries the heritage-listed 18th century pubs the Ship Inn and the Plough Inn, the Expo-created Boardwalk, and the representation from the Kingdom of Nepal the Nepal Peace Pagoda. The Pagoda was originally located on the Expo site and was moved to its new South Bank Parklands riverfront location at the conclusion of the Expo after a successful government and private fundraising campaign to keep the Pagoda in Brisbane. With its traditional architecture, art work and first level meditation area, it is a popular part of one's visit to South Bank today. Special eventsCelebrations for the 20 anniversary of World Expo '88 were held at South Bank Parklands during May, 2008. Celebrations included a charity dinner on Friday 9 May, and a community day of celebration on 10 May, with a special World Expo '88 retrospective exhibition hosted at the Nepal Peace Pagoda.[8] One can still view today a display of World Expo '88 memorabilia at the Pagoda's first level. Photo Gallery<gallery> Image:South-Bank-Parklands.jpg|Entrance to South Bank Parklands — (photo taken during 2005) Image:Arbour-at-South-Bank-Parklands.jpg|the South Bank Parklands Energex Arbour — (photo taken during 2005) Image:Southbank-Parklands.jpg|the South Bank Parklands Energex Arbour — (photo taken during 2005) Image:southbank.jpg|South Bank Parklands — (photo taken during 2005) Image:Southbank-Parklands-2005.jpg|South Bank entrance to South Bank Parklands near the Queensland Performing Arts Centre(photo taken during 2005) Image:Southbank Arbour.JPG|South Bank Energex Arbour at night Image:Southbank Lagoon at night.JPG|Lagoon in the evening Image:Southbank Beach Fireworks Night.jpg|South Bank Parklands fireworks Image:Nepalesepavilionbrisbane.JPG|The Nepal Peace Pagoda from World Expo 88 is at the northern end of the Parklands Image:Builidng-at-Southbank-Parlands.JPG|Royal Brisbane International College, which is situated at the South Bank entrance to South Bank Parklands Image:RBIC.jpg|Later photo of the Royal Brisbane International College, at the South Bank Parklands Image:South-Bank-Parklands-from-across-the-Brisbane-River.JPG|View of South Bank Parklands from across the Brisbane River Image:Brisbaneskyline.jpg|The Brisbane skyline taken from South Bank Parklands </gallery> History of South Bank ParklandsSouth Bank was originally a meeting place for the traditional landowners, the Turrbal and Yuggera people and, in the early 1840s it became the central focus point of early European settlement. From the 1850s, South Bank Precinct was quickly established as the business centre of Brisbane. However, this was all disrupted in the 1893, when floods forced the central business district (CBD) to shift to the northern side of the river and attain higher ground. This is where the Brisbane CBD still stands today. This began the decline of South Bank, and the area became home to vaudeville theatres, derelict boarding houses, and light and heavy industry. The 1970s marked the beginnings of a new era, with parkland reclaimed along the river bank, and the Queensland Cultural Centre was built, including the Queensland Art Gallery, the Queensland Museum, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and State Library of Queensland. In 1988, Brisbane held a successful World Exposition, following which the Government intended to develop the site for commercial interests. However, a public campaign successfully lobbied for the site to be redeveloped as parkland for the enjoyment of people in Brisbane. In 1989, the South Bank Corporation, a Queensland Government statutory body, was established to oversee the development and management of the new South Bank Parklands. The original concept for South Bank Parklands
Logo for Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary South Bank Parklands 
"Butterfly Island" enclosure of the former Butterfly House at South Bank Parklands When South Bank Parklands were developed immediately following Expo '88, there were canals and bridges and launches. There were also a wildlife refuge called Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary as well as a Butterfly House. In January, 1998, Gondwana Rainforest Sanctuary was closed down and the animals relocated. The Butterfly House was later renamed as the Butterfly and Insect House. In April, 1998, the Butterfly and Insect House was renamed as South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary, with the introduction of other wildlife. In the latter half of 2005, the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary was closed and dismantled and an office and retail store were built on the South Bank Wildlife Sanctuary's former location. Also gone from South Bank Parklands are the canals, bridges and launches. Below are some photos taken of South Bank Parklands during the 1990's — so that changes to South Bank Parklands over the years can be seen, and the era compared with that of the present-day parklands. <gallery> Image:Pathway-to-South-Bank-Parklands.jpg|Pathway adjacent to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre's Cremorne Theatre, leading to South Bank Parklands — (photo taken during the 1990s) Image:Fountains-at-entrance-to-South-Bank.jpg|Fountains at the entrance to South Bank Parklands — (photo taken during the 1990s) Image:At-the-entrance-to-South-Bank-Parkland-Queensland.jpg|At the entrance to South Bank Parklands — (photo taken during the 1990s) </gallery> References
External links
Source: Wikipedia | The above article is available under the GNU FDL. | Edit this article
|
|
top
©2008-2009 TutorGig.com. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Statement
