Northshore Riverside Park is a riverfront park at Northshore Hamilton with a shaded pirate-themed playground, a barbecue, picnic areas and a small sandy beach. It sits on the Brisbane River on Macarthur Avenue, about 7 km from the CBD, and the Northshore Hamilton CityCat wharf is at the park.
It is a good option for a free family afternoon, and it works well with a CityCat ride from the city. This guide covers what is in the park, the playground and how to get there.
What is in Northshore Riverside Park
The park covers 2.5 hectares with 200 m of river frontage, on former port land. The gardens use drought-tolerant, water-sensitive plants, and there is a mangrove planting along the foreshore. Some seating is made from original port wharf timbers, and the fig trees and the rock in the river wall come from the old port.
The park has a playground, a barbecue, a shelter, a picnic area, outdoor fitness equipment, a car park and a pontoon for short-stay boat access. There are open lawns, and walking and cycling paths run along the river. There is also an outdoor performance area, and the park includes the Hamilton Port History Walk, which covers the history of the port that once worked this stretch of the river.
The playground
The playground is shaded and pirate-themed. It is close to the river and the paths, so keep an eye on little ones.
The barbecue and picnic areas are in the park too, so you can cook while the kids play. Public toilets are listed nearby rather than in the park, so check the map on arrival.
The river beach and the river frontage
The park has a small sandy beach on the river, built with the existing river sand. Walking and cycling paths run along the 200 m of river frontage if you want a stroll.
A park built on old port land
The site was once prime port land, and port operations moved downriver to Fisherman Islands in 1988. The park was officially opened on 13 July 2008, and the Hamilton Port History Walk through it tells the story of the working river.
The park is also a river access point: the council lists a recreation hub with a single pontoon for short-stay recreational boats, and the park is on its list of land-based fishing platforms.
Cafe and food
Riva Kitchen is nearby for a coffee or a casual bite, and you can bring a picnic to the shelter and picnic areas. Check opening hours before you rely on it.
Make it a longer day at Northshore
The park is the easiest way into the rest of Northshore Hamilton. Eat Street Northshore is a night market on Macarthur Avenue that opens Friday and Saturday from 4 pm to 10 pm and Sunday from 4 pm to 9 pm. Its eastern entrance is about 250 m, a 2 to 3 minute walk, from the same CityCat terminal.
Portside Wharf has restaurants and a Dendy cinema and is open 10 am to 6 pm daily, so it suits a wet or very hot afternoon.
Planning your visit
- Cost: Free entry.
- How long: An hour or two for the playground and a walk. Longer if you add a picnic or the Hamilton Port History Walk.
- Toilets: Public toilets are listed nearby, not in the park.
- Shade: The playground is shaded; bring a hat and sunscreen for the rest.
- What to bring: A picnic, water, a hat and sunscreen.
Getting there and parking
The park is at 305 Macarthur Avenue, Hamilton, about 7 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 15 minutes by car without traffic. There is a car park at the park.
By ferry, the all-stops CityCat runs daily between UQ St Lucia and Northshore Hamilton, and the wharf is at the park. The CityCat has wheelchair and pram access and toilets on board. Check the Translink journey planner for times.
Nearby
- Eat Street Northshore – the weekend night market on Macarthur Avenue.
- Portside Wharf – restaurants, a cinema and the CityCat.
- Bluey’s World – an indoor play day at Hamilton.
- New Farm Park – another riverside park with a playground.
- Eleanor Schonell Bridge – the Green Bridge, near the UQ St Lucia terminal at the other end of the CityCat route.
- More lakes and rivers in Brisbane.
You might also like
- Rocks Riverside Park – a riverside playground on the other side of the city.
- Gold Creek Reservoir (Brookfield)
- Lake Manchester (Brisbane)
Quick answers
Is there a playground at Northshore Riverside Park?
Yes. It is shaded and pirate-themed, close to the river and paths.
Does Northshore Riverside Park have BBQs and toilets?
There is a barbecue, a shelter and a picnic area at the park. Public toilets are listed nearby rather than in the park.
Is there parking at Northshore Riverside Park?
Yes. Council lists a car park at the park.
Is there a beach at Northshore Riverside Park?
Yes. There is a small sandy beach at the park.
How do I get to Northshore Riverside Park by ferry?
Take a CityCat to Northshore Hamilton. The wharf is at the park.
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