A venue owned and run by Brisbane City Council, Riverstage plays host to a variety of local, national and international concerts each year, as well as community events. An outdoor entertainment venue, Riverstage is located within the beautiful botanic gardens, providing a wonderful, vibrant atmosphere which can give you that festival feel.
Known for hosting the touring Soundwave Festival in 2007 and then in 2008, Riverstage is the ideal venue to play host to a music festival. Having welcomed the likes of Ed Sheeran, Florence and the Machine, Human Nature, Dami Im, Nick Cave, FatBoy Slim, Powderfinger and the Chemical Brothers, the Riverstage Brisbane is a go-to venue for touring international artists. Given that Riverstage Brisbane is owned by the council, it also plays host to a range of community events, including the annual Lord Mayor’s Christmas Carols ‘Sing For Water’. The venue is also available for hire and can host corporate functions, concerts or festivals.
Capacity and Seating
An outdoor stage, Riverstage has a capacity of 9,500 people but that capacity can vary depending on the event. The Riverstage occupies a 2 ha site and is located in the idyllic City Botanic Gardens.
How to get there
Riverstage address:
59 Gardens Point Rd, Brisbane City QLD 4000, Australia
- Train: the closest train station is South Bank train station which is a 12 minute walk via the Goodwill Bridge.
- Ferry: the QUT ferry terminal is a one minute walk away from the venue.
- Bus: the South Bank bus station is only a 13 minute walk away via the Goodwill Bridge.
- Car: if you are planning on travelling by car, then there is disabled par
Access
Parking
There is disability parking available and a disability parking spaces map which includes on-street parking Central Business District or you can view it on the Council’s Google Maps account.
Inside the Venue
The whole venue is wheelchair accessible, there is the gold reserve seating category for wheelchair accessible seating and then for general admission seating there is a wheelchair viewing deck at the top of the hill.
The Queensland Government Companion Card is honored by the council and allows free entry to the Riverstage.
Food and Drink
There are several food and drink outlets in various locations across the Riverstage. Please note that food or drink is not allowed inside the venue.#
Cloakroom
There is a cloakroom available but travelling light is encouraged.
History
The Riverstage opened on 7 September 1989 by the Lord Mayor or Brisbane, Sallyanne Atkinson. It was intended to play host to a range of international and national events , as well as community events. The Riverstage was used for the World Expo 88’ one year beforehand. The Riverstage was originally known for hosting the Soundwave Festival. The Powderfingers, Brisbane born band, played their last ever gig at the Riverstage in 2010.
Before it opened as the Riverstage, the site dates back to the 1940s Naval Store buildings which occupied the site before the venue was demolished in 1969. The site was then a car park until construction of the Riverstage began in 1988.
