Most people drive straight past East Brisbane without stopping. That’s a mistake, and Mowbray Park is exactly why.
Tucked along Lytton Road just 11 minutes from the CBD, this heritage-listed riverside park is the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled onto a secret. The views across the Brisbane River to the Story Bridge and city skyline are genuinely hard to beat, and because it sits slightly off the tourist trail, you can actually enjoy them without fighting for a patch of grass.
Spread a picnic blanket under one of the old fig trees, let the kids loose on the nautical-themed playground, and stay until it gets dark. That’s when things get properly magic. At night, bud lighting illuminates the trees along the riverbank, turning what was already a lovely park into something that feels a little like a film set. It’s the kind of place that makes proposals easy, anniversary dinners unnecessary, and Tuesday evenings worth showing up for.
The Mowbray Park ferry terminal is right there if you want to arrive by water, and the East Brisbane Croquet Club and Bowls Club are both nearby for those who want to make a full afternoon of it.
It’s free, it’s beautiful, and it’s right there. No excuses.
Mowbray Park
60 Lytton Road, East Brisbane
Open 24 hours
Free entry
