Woolloongabba is a compact inner Brisbane suburb, about 3 km from the CBD, best known for the Gabba, the stadium that hosts big cricket and AFL matches, and for a growing mix of restaurants, bars and live music along Logan Road and around the Princess Theatre. It is an easy plan for a game, a gig or a dinner with a short trip from the city.
It is also a suburb in the middle of change, with Cross River Rail’s Woolloongabba station under construction, so check the day’s conditions before you go.
Woolloongabba restaurants and bars
The end of Logan Road, near the stadium, is the suburb’s main dining strip. Visit Brisbane lists a mix of long-time haunts such as Canvas Club, Electric Avenue and Mr Badgers, alongside newer wine-focused places such as 1889 Enoteca and Stickybeak Wine Bar.
South City Square, at 148 Logan Road, is a mixed-use centre with shops and places to eat. Visit Brisbane also points out Superfly Pizza, a hand-stretched pizza spot in a laneway, as a local favourite.
Venues here open and close often, so look up the one you want before you head off.
The Princess Theatre and Clarence Corner
The Princess Theatre, at 8 Annerley Road, is a heritage-listed hall built in 1888. It was first the South Brisbane Public Hall, then Boggo Road Theatre, and took the Princess Theatre name in 1893. After a period of mainly religious use it reopened in 2021 as a live music and arts venue, with a 900-capacity auditorium, four bars, a cafe and an outdoor courtyard.
It sits in Clarence Corner, a historic district next to the Mater Hospital, and is a sister venue of The Tivoli. See the Princess Theatre website for what is on and for tickets.
The Gabba
The Gabba is the Brisbane Cricket Ground, the suburb’s best-known landmark and the venue for big cricket and AFL matches. For the ground itself, tickets and match-day details, see our guide to The Gabba.
Parking and getting in on event days
The Gabba says there is no public parking at the stadium. Most nearby streets have 15 minute limits on event days, and drop-offs are on Princess, Potts and Hubert Streets. Pre-purchased tickets for some events include free travel on the day, so check your ticket and the Translink website.
Special event shuttle services run for some events. Accessible parking is limited to a few spaces opposite Gate 5 on Duke Street (a disability permit is needed, first come, first served).
History and heritage
Woolloongabba has a lot of heritage-listed buildings for such a small suburb. They include the former Woolloongabba Post Office, the Norman Hotel, the Broadway Hotel at 93 Logan Road, and Holy Trinity Anglican Church. The Broadway Hotel is on Logan Road, so you can see one on the way to dinner.
The name comes from an Aboriginal word, and experts are divided over its meaning: one reading is “whirling waters” and another is “fight talk place”.
A simple evening in Woolloongabba
If you are not going to the cricket, a good plan is dinner on Logan Road, then a gig at the Princess Theatre on Annerley Road. Use the Translink Journey Planner for the hop between them, and the busway for the trip back to the city.
Come in daylight if you want to see the former post office and the heritage hotels.
Planning your visit
- How long: a couple of hours for dinner; an evening if you add a show.
- Best time: evenings and weekends, when Logan Road is busiest. Avoid driving in on Gabba event days.
- Cost: free to wander. Meals and tickets are extra.
- Accessibility: the Gabba has an accessible drop-off near Gate 5 on Linton Street. Other venues publish their own access details.
Getting to Woolloongabba
By car it is about 5 minutes from the CBD without traffic, 3 km by road. By bus, the South East Busway runs through the suburb with Woolloongabba and Buranda stations. By train, the nearest stations are Boggo Road and Buranda. Plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
Cross River Rail’s new underground Woolloongabba station, built 27 m below the surface at the suburb’s main intersection, is still under construction and has no opening date on the project page.
Nearby
- The Gabba – the stadium on its own, with match-day detail.
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout – river and city views close by in Kangaroo Point.
- South Bank Parklands – riverside parklands with a pool, playgrounds and barbecues.
- West End Markets – the markets at Davies Park in West End.
- Coorparoo – cafes, a cinema and a train line to the east.
Browse more restaurants and things to do in Brisbane.
You might also like
- Story Bridge Hotel (Kangaroo Point)
- Riverbar and Kitchen (Brisbane City)
- Howard Smith Wharves (Brisbane City)
Quick answers
What is Woolloongabba known for?
The Gabba cricket and AFL stadium, the Princess Theatre, and the restaurants and bars along Logan Road.
How far is Woolloongabba from the Brisbane CBD?
About 3 km, around 5 minutes by car without traffic.
Is there parking at the Gabba?
The Gabba says there is no public parking at the stadium, and on event days most nearby streets have 15 minute limits. Check its getting-here page before you go.
What is the Princess Theatre?
A heritage-listed 1888 hall at 8 Annerley Road that now runs as a live music and arts venue.
How do I get to Woolloongabba by public transport?
Take the South East Busway to Woolloongabba or Buranda station, or a train to Boggo Road or Buranda.
Is there a train station at Woolloongabba?
A new Cross River Rail station is under construction. It has no confirmed opening date yet.
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