The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Toohey Forest

South Bank Parklands combines riverfront paths, landscaped gardens, and public spaces across a large stretch of the city’s foreshore. The area includes the Streets Beach lagoon, shaded walkways like the Arbour, and open lawns with views across to the CBD. It connects directly into the riverside path network and forms one of the main public spaces along the river.

Set along the river in New Farm Park, this jacaranda is part of a wider network of trees that have become closely tied to Brisbane’s identity. Introduced in the nineteenth century, jacarandas now mark the shift into spring, when their purple blooms briefly transform parks and streets across the city. Outside of bloom, the tree still stands out for its wide canopy and position along the water, offering shade and open views across the river.

Goodwill Bridge is a pedestrian and cycle bridge spanning the Brisbane River between South Bank and Gardens Point. From the centre of the bridge, you get open views along the river toward the city skyline, with high-rise towers reflecting off the water below. The bridge sits slightly elevated above river level, giving you a clear view of boats passing beneath and the CBD rising beyond. It’s a popular crossing, so keep left and stay aware of cyclists as you pause to take in the view.

New Farm Park is one of Brisbane’s oldest and most popular riverside parks, known for its expansive lawns, mature fig trees, and formal rose gardens. Established in the early 20th century on former farmland, it has long served as a major recreational space for picnics, events, and community gatherings. The park also connects directly to the Brisbane Riverwalk, making it a key green space along the river corridor.

Teneriffe Wharves is a historic riverfront precinct known for its distinctive row of early-20th-century woolstore buildings that line the Brisbane River. Developed between the late 1800s and 1930s as a major hub for Queensland’s wool export trade, the area has since been adapted into residential and commercial spaces while preserving its industrial character. Today, the wharves form a scenic stretch of the Riverwalk, and is a good reflection of the suburb’s maritime and trading heritage.

Howard Smith Wharves is a lively riverfront precinct under Brisbane’s Story Bridge, centred on a collection of restored heritage wharf buildings. Constructed in the 1930s as part of the city’s port operations, it is now a public space with dining venues including Felons Brewing Company, open promenades, and event areas along the river’s edge. It's a popular riverside destination and access point along the Brisbane Riverwalk with plenty of historic maritime character.

The New Farm Riverwalk is a sealed multi-use riverside path that links the inner-city area with the suburb of New Farm, offering scenic views of the river and skyline. It forms part of the larger Brisbane Riverwalk network, with sections like this one built on a suspended boardwalk above the water and segregated lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. Originally opened in the early 2000s and rebuilt after major flood damage, the current structure reopened in 2014 with a more resilient design and remains a popular commuting and recreational route.

Brisbane City Botanic Gardens is a heritage riverside park established in 1855 at the edge of the CBD, known for its mature trees, ornamental plantings, and mangrove boardwalks. Meandering paths connect lawns, ponds, and historic features, creating a shaded, peaceful stretch along the Riverwalk loop. Its location by the river serves as an important floodplain, emphasising the city's historical ties to the Brisbane River.