Bowen Hills is an inner Brisbane suburb about 10 minutes by car from the CBD, and it is where Brisbane goes for big events: the Brisbane Showgrounds, home of the Ekka, hosts more than 250 a year. Around it you will find King Street’s dining strip, a theatre across from the station, the heritage Old Museum and a small historic park.
Most people come for a specific event, but it also works for a dinner or a wander if you want something more relaxed than the Valley next door.
Brisbane Showgrounds
The Brisbane Showgrounds, at 600 Gregory Terrace, is a historic events precinct that sees about a million visitors a year, from conferences and expos to music festivals. It is home to the Royal Queensland Show, the Ekka, held there each August. Read our guides to the Ekka and the Brisbane Showgrounds for tickets and planning.
What is on changes constantly, so check the Brisbane Showgrounds website for the calendar before you make plans.
King Street dining and shops
King Street, in the heart of the Showgrounds, is a dining and retail strip. The Showgrounds describe it as having more than 25 specialty stores, and Visit Brisbane lists about 14 food and drink venues, from sports bars such as Winghaus and Claw BBQ to Tex-Mex at El Camino Cantina, French at Montrachet and Italian, Vietnamese, Korean, Japanese and coffee spots.
Tenants change, so look up the venue before you head out. It is a handy place to eat before or after a show.
The Old Museum
The Old Museum building, at 480 Gregory Terrace on the corner of Bowen Bridge Road, was the Queensland Museum‘s home from 1899 to 1986. It is heritage-listed and now a performance venue and the home of Queensland Youth Orchestras. It hosts concerts and shows, and events such as the Handmade Design Market. See the venue’s What’s On page for what is coming up.
Twelfth Night Theatre
Twelfth Night Theatre, at 4 Cintra Road, stages community-scale plays and shows, from musicals and comedies to Shakespeare, and productions often run for only a few nights. It is directly across the road from Bowen Hills station, which makes an evening out easy without a car.
Bowen Park
Bowen Park, on the corner of O’Connell Terrace and Bowen Bridge Road, is a heritage-listed park of about 1.8 hectares, with fig trees, palms and garden beds. It has a toilet block and drinking fountains, and it is a quiet spot for a break between stops.
Perry Park, the suburb’s main sports ground, is used mostly for soccer.
Heritage in Bowen Hills
For a suburb of this size Bowen Hills has plenty of heritage-listed buildings. As well as the Old Museum and the Brisbane Exhibition Grounds, the Queensland Heritage Register includes Bowen Park, Cintra House, Our Lady of Victories Catholic Church and Miegunyah. The Old Museum was listed in 1992.
Walking the streets between Gregory Terrace and O’Connell Terrace is an easy way to see a few of them in half an hour.
Bowen Park began as the Queensland Acclimatisation Society’s gardens in the 1860s, and Brisbane Municipal Council opened it as a public reserve in 1914.
Planning your visit
- How long: an evening for a show and dinner; most of a day for a big event at the Showgrounds.
- Best time: evenings for King Street and the theatre. Check the Showgrounds calendar for event dates.
- Cost: free to wander. Events, shows and meals are extra.
- What to bring: comfortable shoes, and your tickets on your phone for events.
Getting to Bowen Hills
By car it is about 10 minutes from the CBD, roughly 4 km by road to the Showgrounds. By train, every Queensland Rail City network service stops at Bowen Hills station, and Exhibition station is inside the Showgrounds. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
Check Brisbane Showgrounds’ website for event-day parking and directions.
Nearby
- Fortitude Valley – bars, music and food right next door.
- Brisbane Showgrounds – the full venue guide.
- The Ekka – Queensland’s biggest annual show.
- Newstead House – Brisbane’s oldest surviving home, a short drive away.
- Brisbane Powerhouse – theatre and markets by the river at New Farm.
Browse more entertainment in Brisbane.
You might also like
- Eagle Farm (Brisbane)
- Suncorp Stadium (Milton)
- Wheel of Brisbane (South Brisbane)
Quick answers
What is Bowen Hills known for?
The Brisbane Showgrounds and the Ekka, King Street dining, the Old Museum and Twelfth Night Theatre.
How far is Bowen Hills from the Brisbane CBD?
About 3 to 4 km, around 10 minutes by car without traffic.
How do I get to Bowen Hills by train?
Every Queensland Rail City network service stops at Bowen Hills station. Exhibition station is inside the Showgrounds.
Where is the Brisbane Showgrounds?
At 600 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills.
Where is Twelfth Night Theatre?
At 4 Cintra Road, across the road from Bowen Hills station.
Is there a park in Bowen Hills?
Yes. Bowen Park, on the corner of O’Connell Terrace and Bowen Bridge Road, is a heritage-listed park with garden beds, a toilet block and drinking fountains.
0 Comments