Mowbray Park is a heritage-listed riverside park on Lytton Road at East Brisbane, with a nautical-themed playground, big fig trees and views along the Brisbane River to the city and the Story Bridge. It is open 24 hours, and it is also the home of the Mowbray Park CityCat stop.
It is a good park for a picnic and a play, and an easy one to reach by ferry from the city or from the University of Queensland end of the river.
What to do at Mowbray Park
Playground and picnics
The playground has a nautical theme. Nearby are barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and taps, and big fig trees grow in the park.
Riverside walk
A riverside path and bikeway run along the park, with views of the Brisbane River, the city skyline and the Story Bridge. At night the trees are lit with bud lighting.
East Brisbane War Memorial
The park holds the heritage-listed East Brisbane War Memorial, a Light Horseman statue flanked by two cannons. It was unveiled in August 1917 and moved to its present spot in 1974.
Around the park
The park covers about 3.2 hectares of tree-lined paths and lawns running down to the river. Beside the playground you will find the East Brisbane Croquet Club and the East Brisbane Bowls Club, and along the river edge there are the remains of the old swimming baths, with their stone retaining walls and steps still in place. A boat house in the park was approved in 1936 for the Church of England Grammar School rowing club.
Across the water is New Farm, and upriver the city skyline and the Story Bridge come into view, so the park works well as a stop on a longer river day. It pairs easily with New Farm Park on the other side of the river.
Mowbray Park ferry
The Mowbray Park ferry terminal is a CityCat stop. Only the F1 ferry stops here, running towards UQ St Lucia and towards Northshore Hamilton, and at the Saturday timetable checked there was a departure about every 30 minutes in each direction. Check the Translink timetable before you go.
The terminal is beside the park, so it is a short walk to the playground and lawns.
A little history
The ferry wharf beside the park was established after the CityCats began running in 1996.
South Brisbane City Council bought the riverfront land in 1903 and 1904 and named it Mowbray Park in September 1904. It is named after the Reverend Thomas Mowbray, who bought the land in 1850 and built his family home, Riversdale, there. The park is on the Queensland Heritage Register.
Is Mowbray Park dog friendly?
Dogs need to be on a lead. Council only allows dogs off the lead in its signed off-leash areas, so check Council’s off-leash map for the nearest one.
Booking a spot for a group
If you are planning a birthday or a small gathering, Council has one bookable site, a large grassy area near the playground. It holds up to 33 people, has power (check your equipment, as power points may have different phases) and allows marquees. Vehicle access is decided case by case. You apply through Council’s online Park Booking Application, stating the type of event and the number of people. The barbecues cannot be booked, so everyone shares them.
Planning your visit
- How long: One to two hours for a play and a picnic.
- Best time: Early or late in the day if you want to avoid the middle-of-the-day sun.
- What to bring: Water, sunscreen and a hat. The barbecues are shared with other visitors and cannot be booked.
- Groups: There is one bookable grassy site near the playground, for up to 33 people, with power.
Getting there and parking
Mowbray Park is on Lytton Road, East Brisbane, about 10 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD without traffic. There is a car park in the park.
By ferry, take the F1 CityCat to the Mowbray Park terminal; see the Translink timetable. See also the Brisbane City Council park page.
Nearby
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout – the cliffs, climbing and city views across the river.
- Captain Burke Park – a nautical playground and BBQs under the Story Bridge.
- Story Bridge – the history and the walk across.
- Wilson Outlook Reserve – Story Bridge views over the river at New Farm.
- Woolloongabba – restaurants and the Gabba.
- More parks and ferry and cruise ideas.
You might also like
- Nudgee (Brisbane)
- Carseldine (Brisbane)
- Bracken Ridge (Brisbane)
Quick answers
Where is Mowbray Park?
On Lytton Road at East Brisbane, on the south bank of the Brisbane River opposite New Farm, about 10 minutes by car from the CBD.
Does Mowbray Park have a playground?
Yes, a nautical-themed playground, with barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and taps close by.
Is there parking at Mowbray Park?
Yes, there is a car park in the park.
Can you catch a ferry to Mowbray Park?
Yes. The F1 CityCat stops at the Mowbray Park terminal, towards UQ St Lucia and towards Northshore Hamilton.
Is Mowbray Park open 24 hours?
Yes, Council lists it as open 24 hours.
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