Wilson Outlook Reserve is a small park at 231 Bowen Terrace, New Farm, with views over the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge, and a lift that takes you down to Howard Smith Wharves. It is open 24 hours.
It is not a place for a long visit. You come for the view, take the photos and then decide whether to ride down to the riverside restaurants and bars below, or carry on along the river.
The view from Wilson Outlook Reserve
The outlook looks straight across the river to the Story Bridge, with the city towers behind it. Below you are the roofs and lawns of Howard Smith Wharves, and a little further along the water is the green space of Captain Burke Park at Kangaroo Point, tucked under the southern end of the bridge.
For more on the bridge itself, see the Story Bridge guide.
The lift to Howard Smith Wharves
Council notes that the reserve is one of only a few Brisbane parks with a lift, and it leads down to Howard Smith Wharves and the riverside restaurants and entertainment below. Howard Smith Wharves says two lifts at the top of the Bowen Terrace cliffs take you directly into the precinct.
At the bottom you will find eating and drinking venues, event spaces, a hotel and the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. The Howard Smith Wharves guide has the details.
What is waiting at the bottom
Howard Smith Wharves sits at 5 Boundary Street under the bridge. Its venues include CIAO, Stanley, Mr Percival’s, Felons Brewing Co., Felons Barrel Hall, Stan’s Lounge, Greca, Yoko Dining, Mews, Fiume Rooftop Bar and Betty’s Burgers. The precinct also has event spaces, a hotel and the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, and the CityCat terminal is on site. Service dogs are welcome, and there are 50 public bike spaces.
If you drive instead, the wharves have an on-site car park that can be booked online, with disability bays and lifts up to ground level. Nearby options include Secure Parking on Eagle Street, about a 3-minute walk away.
Facilities
- Seating
- A fitness station
- Water bubblers and taps
- Wheelchair access
Planning your visit
- How long: Ten minutes for the view, longer if you go down to the wharves.
- Accessibility: Council lists wheelchair access at the reserve, and Howard Smith Wharves has accessible bathrooms in its event spaces and dining venues.
- Groups: There is one bookable site for short events, the area between the pathway and the viewing fence, for up to 50 people. There is no power and no vehicle access, and marquees are allowed. The fitness station and seating are shared with other visitors.
Booking the outlook for a small event
Council lets you book the viewing area for short events such as a small celebration. Bookings cover only that one site, and you apply through Council’s online Park Booking Application, stating the type of event and how many people are coming. A virtual tour of the site is available on the Council page. For any other area of the park, call Council on 07 3403 8888 and ask for a Regional Parks Officer.
Getting there and parking
The reserve is at 231 Bowen Terrace, New Farm, about 10 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD without traffic. Vehicles cannot drive to the lookout itself. Parking is available on the surrounding streets.
By water, Howard Smith Wharves has its own CityCat terminal on the F1 Northshore Hamilton to UQ St Lucia route. Ferries run as often as every 10 minutes at peak times. You can also walk to the wharves along the New Farm Riverwalk, which joins the precinct at Riverview Court, or from the City Reach Boardwalk near Queen Street. The wharves list the nearest bus stops on Adelaide, Eagle, Ann and Brunswick Streets, and train access from Central or Fortitude Valley stations (both involve a walk). See the Brisbane City Council page.
Nearby
- New Farm Park – jacarandas, a playground and a market.
- Brisbane Powerhouse – theatres and markets.
- Jan Powers Farmers Markets – the Powerhouse markets on market days.
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout – the view back across the river.
- Mowbray Park – another riverside park with the Story Bridge in view, and a CityCat stop.
- Fortitude Valley – malls, Chinatown and dining a short way inland.
- More lookouts around SEQ.
You might also like
- Beechmont (Gold Coast Hinterland)
- Mt Coot-tha Lookout (Mount Coot-tha)
- Mt Gravatt Lookout (Mount Gravatt)
Quick answers
Where is Wilson Outlook Reserve?
At 231 Bowen Terrace, New Farm, on the clifftop above Howard Smith Wharves.
Is Wilson Outlook Reserve free and open all day?
Council lists the reserve as open 24 hours.
Can you drive to Wilson Outlook Reserve?
Not to the lookout itself, as vehicle access to the site is not permitted. Parking is available on the surrounding streets.
How do you get from Wilson Outlook Reserve to Howard Smith Wharves?
Take the lift. Council says the reserve has a lift down to the wharves, and Howard Smith Wharves says its lifts start at the top of the Bowen Terrace cliffs.
Is Wilson Outlook Reserve wheelchair accessible?
Council lists wheelchair access at the reserve.
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