New Farm Park: Jacarandas, Playground, Parking and Markets

New Farm Park is a free, 15 hectare riverside park about 5 km from the Brisbane CBD, known for its jacaranda trees, rose gardens, a bandstand rotunda and two playgrounds. It sits on the Brisbane River at 1042 Brunswick Street, New Farm, with free parking, a CityCat ferry terminal and the Brisbane Powerhouse right next to it.

It is one of Brisbane’s oldest parks, created in 1914 and listed on the Queensland Heritage Register. Bring a picnic, let the kids loose and, on a Saturday morning, walk across to the market.

Jacarandas at New Farm Park

The jacarandas are the reason many people come. The lawns have jacaranda and poinciana trees, and when the jacarandas flower in spring the grass is carpeted in purple. Brisbane’s jacaranda season usually peaks from mid October into early November, though the exact weeks change from year to year.

Go on a weekday morning if you can. Weekends in jacaranda season are the busiest the park gets.

The rose garden and rotunda

The park has formal rose gardens, and the Edwardian bandstand rotunda sits among the lawns and trees. The rotunda is raised, with benches around the edge, and it makes a good spot to sit out of the sun.

The rotunda is also one of four sites that groups can book through council’s online park booking application. Everyone else can walk up and sit.

Playgrounds at New Farm Park

There are two playgrounds, including a large adventure playground, with shady spots beside them. Playgrounds and barbecues cannot be booked for exclusive use, so it is first come, first served on busy days.

Around the park you will also find a basketball half court, tennis courts, a croquet club and sporting fields, plus a coffee kiosk and New Farm Library.

Picnics, toilets and barbecues

• Toilets: yes, plus taps and water bubblers.
• Barbecues: electric barbecues, shared with other visitors.
• Shelters: picnic shelters, and riverside picnic spots near the Brisbane Powerhouse.
• Coffee: a kiosk in the park, and cafes and restaurants at the Powerhouse.

Brisbane Powerhouse and the Saturday market

The Brisbane Powerhouse, at 119 Lamington Street, is a converted power station with theatres, galleries, a rooftop restaurant and Mary Mae’s, an all-day venue with river views. The building opens at 9 am every day: until 5 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays, until late from Wednesday to Saturday, and until 6 pm on Sundays (later if a show is on).

The Powerhouse farmers market runs every Saturday from 6 am to 12 pm, with fresh produce, plants, flowers, handmade goods and prepared food. It takes a break over the Christmas period and returns in January, so check the Jan Powers Farmers Markets site for dates. For other markets across the region see 5 of the Best Markets in South East Queensland.

Dogs can run off the leash in nearby Powerhouse Park. Inside New Farm Park they must stay on a leash.

Planning your visit

• How long: 1 to 2 hours for a picnic and playground; half a day with the market and lunch at the Powerhouse.
• Best time: mid October to early November for jacarandas; Saturday morning for the market.
• Cost: free. Food, coffee and Powerhouse shows are extra.
• What to bring: a picnic rug, hat, sunscreen and water (taps and bubblers are in the park).
• Accessibility: accessible parking spaces are signed on the ring road. The Powerhouse has lift access to all levels and wheelchair-accessible toilets.

Getting there and parking at New Farm Park

By car, it is about 5 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 15 minutes. Parking inside the park is free: there are about 200 spaces, mainly along the internal ring road, which you can enter from Oxlade Drive. Accessible spaces are signed. There is also free and paid street parking around the park. The Powerhouse car park, entered from Lamington Street, is paid (30 minutes to 3 hours is about $10 in the daytime, and a flat night rate applies from 5 pm), so arrive early for the market or a dinner booking.

The park is open from 8.30 am to 11 pm daily. The park car park gates open at 6 am on Saturdays and Sundays (8.30 am on weekdays), so weekend market visitors can park early. Check signs when you arrive.

By CityCat, the New Farm Park ferry terminal is at the end of Brunswick Street, about 440 m through the park from the Powerhouse. Ferries run between UQ St Lucia (via the city and South Bank) and Northshore Hamilton about every 15 to 30 minutes. By bus, Route 196 runs every 10 to 15 minutes to Brunswick Street at Oxlade Drive, about 480 m from the Powerhouse through the park. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner.

More detail is on council’s New Farm Park page and the Brisbane Powerhouse visit page. Details can change, so check before you go.

Nearby

• Brisbane CityHopper – more on getting around Brisbane by river ferry.
• 5 of the Best Markets in South East Queensland – more weekend markets.
• Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha – another Brisbane garden day out.
• Frew Park, Milton – a Brisbane park with a playground.
• Brisbane markets – Twelve regular Brisbane markets by day, with hours, addresses, costs and how to get there.
• Story Bridge – Brisbane’s steel cantilever landmark, opened in 1940 and about 10 minutes by car from the CBD, with free footpaths, an Adventure Climb and Howard Smith Wharves at its foot.

Browse more parks and Brisbane days out.

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