South Bank Parklands covers 17 hectares and covers more than one kilometre of the south bank of the Brisbane River. South Banks rainforest walks, landscaped parklands, cafes and restaurants along with the manmade swimming beach constructed in 1992 make it an ideal place for families. Australias only beach in the heart of the city is unique, with views over the Brisbane River to the city and surrounded by white sandy beaches, bubbling creeks and shady tropical gardens. The beach contains enough water to fill five Olympic swimming pools and is patrolled by experienced, professional lifeguards seven days a week, 365 days a year.

The Bougainvillea Arbour, which meanders one kilometre through South Bank, is constructed of 403 curling columns covered in magenta bougainvillea vines. The walkway within the arbour leads to many of the parklands attractions.

When in 1988 Brisbane hosted the World Expo, one of only three Nepalese Pagodas outside Nepal was carved in the Kathmandu Valley and brought to Brisbane as a symbol for world peace. The pagoda was carved by 160 families, took one million hours to create and represents fertility, eternity and peace. Timbers from the Terai jungle were used for the building, Sisso wood for the carvings, Saal wood for the structural work and Asna for the flooring.