New Farm to South Bank Parklands

New Farm to South Bank Parklands is a 13.2km round trip along the Brisbane River, starting at New Farm Park and finishing in South Bank. AllTrails grades it moderate, three to three and a half hours, and the grade comes from the distance rather than any climbing. Dogs are on lead the entire way, and South Bank has several areas they cannot enter at all.

The walk. From New Farm Park and the Brisbane Powerhouse the route follows the boardwalk along the Riverwalk, passes Howard Smith Wharves, threads through the City Botanic Gardens, crosses the Goodwill Bridge and drops into South Bank Parklands. One way is roughly 6km, so budget the full return unless you are catching transport back. It is flat, wide and paved throughout, with the Story Bridge over the early stretch and the city skyline filling the rest.

The rules. Brisbane City Council requires dogs on lead at all times on public pathways, including the Riverwalk and South Bank Parklands. Dogs are not permitted in South Bank's wet areas, meaning the swimming lagoons, the beach and the fountains, and they are excluded from the designated picnic and eating areas too. Bring your own bags, though dispensers sit at the main parkland entrances. The one real off-lead break on the route is the 24 hour fenced dog area near the Powerhouse in New Farm Park.

Water. Drinking fountains and bubblers turn up regularly, especially through New Farm Park and South Bank. The newer boardwalk section has little shade, but there are shaded rest shelters along the way, and restrooms run around the clock at both ends. The mudflats near New Farm Park smell strong at low tide, so time your start for high tide if you can.

Getting there. Park at the Brunswick Street end of New Farm Park or in the Powerhouse car park. Dogs can travel on CityCats and ferries, but only on lead and muzzled or in a carrier, only in the outside areas, and only off-peak: weekdays 8:30am to 3:30pm and 7pm to 6am, or any time at weekends.

Nearby with the dogs. Shorten it with the New Farm Riverwalk or Teneriffe to Howard Smith Wharves, or approach South Bank from the other side on the Clem Jones Promenade. The Plough Inn is the South Bank end reward.

When to go. Weekday mornings or late evenings, which dodge both the heat and the crowds. Saturday mornings and late Sunday afternoons get exceptionally busy. Good for big runners with solid lead manners.

Sources

• New Farm Park - Brisbane City Council · brisbane.qld.gov.au
• South Bank parkland information - Visit Brisbane · visit.brisbane.qld.au
• CityCats and ferries - Brisbane City Council · brisbane.qld.gov.au
• New Farm to South Bank Parklands - AllTrails · alltrails.com

Compiled from public sources and verified listings. Always confirm current rules with the venue or council before you travel.