A Day Out at South Bank Brisbane
One of the many things that I love about being a blogger, is the great network of like-minded women that I have around me. Recently one of my fantastic Facebook Groups, called Australian Travel Bloggers (ATB), organised a “Let’s Make a Video” workshop in capital cities throughout Australia. As it turned out there were only six of us that turned up for our day out at South Bank Brisbane, learning all about making videos for social media.
The morning started with three Gold Coast Travel Bloggers jumping on the train to South Bank, that is only an hour’s train journey north of the Gold Coast. We had arranged to meet under the iconic Wheel of Brisbane, and after a short wait all six of us were present and making introductions. We quickly worked out a brief plan of our morning activities, with Sandy Papas of Tray Tables Away, taking the lead role as our teacher.
South Bank Parklands
The expansive 17 hectares of green space, South Bank Parklands is on the southside of the Brisbane CBD and alongside the Brisbane River. It encompasses the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Museum, Exhibition & Convention Centre, Queensland Art Gallery and the Wheel of Brisbane.
Amongst the many activities, one can ride The Wheel of Brisbane affording majestic views of Brisbane CBD and River; visit the Nepalese Pagoda, which was originally brought to Brisbane for Expo 88; take a dip in Streets Beach; marvel at The Arbour, a Bougainvillea clad steel awning that spans 1 km; or just stroll through the South Bank weekend arts and crafts market stalls.
It was the perfect place to capture some videos of what this beautiful city precinct has to offer. So we wasted no time in getting out and about, like a bunch of excited school girls!
Nepalese Pagoda
After playing with the “Boomerang” App, taking videos of the whirling Wheel of Brisbane, our first stop was to the nearby Nepalese Pagoda. Originally this three-story high Pagoda was brought to Brisbane as the Kingdom of Nepal’s contribution to World Expo 88.
It features 80 tonnes of hand-carved Nepalese timber and took more than 160 Nepalese families two years to build. It is also one of only three Nepalese peace pagodas in the world to be located outside of Nepal. It was a perfect place to commence our video making.
Adjacent to the Pagoda is a boardwalk that winds through a small rainforest, that is very pleasant to stroll through.
Streets Beach
A visit to South Bank Parklands wouldn’t be the same without checking out Brisbane’s inner-city beach and manmade lagoon, Streets Beach. Here on most weekends you will find hundreds of locals and tourists splashing around in the shallow lagoon and soaking up some Brisbane sunshine.
After a stroll around this lovely lagoon we walked past Aquativity, a fun and interactive water-play park and Boat Pool.
The Arbour
There’s something very special about walking under The Arbour. The pretty purple Bougainvillea flowers that cascade over the archway of The Arbour had an added adornment on this particular day. There were red paper lanterns hanging from The Arbour in readiness for the birthday celebrations for Buddha.
Naturally it was the perfect place to take a group photo of us all, the South East Queensland Travel Bloggers.
South Bank Markets
The Collective Markets at South Bank are open every Friday evening, Saturday and Sunday, and feature an exciting range of arts, craft, homewares, collectibles, exotic items, designer fashion and much more. The Markets are located in Stanley Street Plaza, within South Bank, and are ideal for finding a unique gift, or simply stroll through and enjoy the atmosphere or a bite to eat.
We all enjoyed our stroll through the markets, even though it took a while to get us all through, with so much temptation thrown our way. The colourful and upbeat atmosphere of the markets was incredible. Except I learnt that some stall-holders did not like having their wares photographed!
Fish Lane
We headed along the promenade on the Brisbane River, past the Queensland Performing Art Centre towards the Queensland Museum, and to our desired location of Fish Lane. Here we saw some fantastic street art that was larger than life on the side of some of the buildings in the lane.
The Fish Lane precinct, located off Grey Street opposite the Queensland Museum, might be new, but the laneway is pretty old. Originally named Soda Water Lane, thanks to the Eudone Aerated Water Company that had its factory there in the 1870s, Fish Lane is quickly becoming Brisbane’s coolest laneway with heaps of bars and restaurants popping up.
Once we’d strolled down the lane for a distance we stopped to have a drink while we waited for a table to become available at our lunch venue, Julius Pizzeria. Located in the historic art-deco bottom quarter of the modern Austin building, Julius Pizzeria brings authentic Italian cuisine to the southside of Brisbane.
Here we chatted and laughed about our day’s activities and got to know each other by way of a brief introduction, all whilst enjoying great food and wine.
The question remains – did we learn anything new? Yes we certainly did. We all hailed it a successful day and came away not only knowing more about one another, but also more about the art of making a video for social media.
This post is part of the Lovin’ Life Linky with a Lovin’ Life Team of the “ageing positively” kind who are as keen as I am to promote the Lovin’ Life mindset.
The Lovin’ Life Team includes:
Aren’t you all a fabulous bumch? Looks like a great catch-up & (as you know) I’m always a sucker for street art…
We are so absolutely fabulous! It was a great day out with heaps of laughs and we even learnt a thing or two.
I loved Fish Lane. Want to get myself back up to Brissy soon,. Might check out that Pagoda too!
I have been to South Bank so many times and never knew Fish Lane existed. I will certainly returning here in the future. #TeamLovinLife
Such a great day out and of course Southbank was the perfect location..
Some learning and a fair bit of laughter as well!
Wasn’t it a great day out? I had so much fun with such a great group of bloggers. I’m looking forward to doing it again. #TeamLovinLife
This put a smile on my face just remembering the day Kathy. It certainly is wonderful meeting up with blogging friends and in such a great location. We are all now a little wiser about instastories.
Yes me too Jan. We had some great laughs and I thought South Bank was the perfect location to do our videoing. I hope we get to do more of these days. #TeamLovinLife
Looks like you all had a fabulous time! I love Southbank – it’s so beautiful there. I too have discovered that many stallholders at markets don’t like you photographing their wares. Maybe they think you’re going to copy or something? Well done on your RIPL video! :-) #TeamLovinLife
We did have a very enjoyable day out Min. Sorry you didn’t make it. I certainly learnt a thing or two about videoing and also about my fellow bloggers!
I haven’t been in that part of Brisbane for years but loved it when I last visited. You have added some new things to my list for next visit. It looks like you had a fun and informative day and so pleased that in true blogger style it involved food and wine too.
Ha ha! The food and wine was the best part. We all got on like a house on fire. #TeamLovinLife
So much to see and do there! I have not been to Brisbane except as a child. I do recall a lot of this was done for EXPO? My parents attended that as they spent a lot of time on the Gold Coast each year (Mum hated winter, so they escaped for 2 months). Lovely shots and how good is it to meet people with like interests!
Denyse
Yes South Bank was the old Expo site. I remember waddling around here in 1988 when I was 8 months pregnant! We all had a fab time. #TeamLovinLife
What a great idea! So fun and valuable connecting with others and picking up a few learnings. I’d love to do something like this in Canberra.
It is wonderful to network with other bloggers. You learn so much. #TeamLovinLife
Southbank is great Kathy and my backyard for running.I think we need to start planning another bloggers get together mid year.
It’s a beautiful inner-city sanctuary. I think another catchup is definitely in order. #TeamLovinLife
I do love Southbank. Dining in one of the restaurants watching the world float by is just the best.
There are some great restaurants at South Bank. I have eaten in many of them over the years. It’s a great precinct in Brisbane. #TeamLovinLife
It sounds like you had a fabulous time Kathy – and it also looks like there was quite a variety of bloggers in your little group. I enjoyed your photos – that Streets Beach water park looks amazing!
We did have a fabulous day and all got on like a house on fire. South Bank is a must see area if you ever visit Brisbane. #TeamLovinLife
I have been to Brisbane on numerous occasions yet you have introduced so many new sights for me to explore the next time I am there. What a great way to explore with other gorgeous ladies.
Yes Brisbane surprises me on many levels. It is really starting to become a vibrant and beautiful city with plenty of interesting precincts to hang out in. #TeamLovinLife
Looks like you had a fabulous day and I love your photos and video! It’s so great to get together with like minded people and learn at the same time. We have so much to teach each other. Our bloggers event in Perth was also small – just five of us, but we had a great time and made new friends.
I possibly needing more than some! I do also love these opportunities to meet other travel bloggers and swap ideas. We all had such a fun day. #TeamLovinLife
That’s so cool that you’re part of a travel blogger network. Great fun. Southbank is a great spot
It was a fun day out. We had lots in common and lots of laughs. :)