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A local’s guide to Brisbane’s Howard Smith Wharves

Kristie Lau-Adams Kristie Lau-Adams
Wave the Brisbane of yesteryear goodbye as Howard Smith Wharves sends the city’s cool factor to soaring heights.

Brisbane has unravelled from its nondescript cocoon into a vivacious social butterfly. Home to more than a fistful of the world’s best restaurants, euphoric waterfront bars and high-luxe accommodation offerings, the city surprises me from every angle. Nothing encompasses everything it’s become more vividly than Howard Smith Wharves, located beneath Story Bridge on the Brisbane River. A beautifully planned entertainment precinct, it’s my good time go-to. Here’s how I guarantee play-all-day fun for my entire family.

In short

If you only have time for one stop in Howard Smith Wharves, make it Felons Brewing Co. The team boast some of the city’s most masterful brewers and the vibe is always kicking across multiple al fresco zones, especially on a sun-drenched Brisbane day.

Top 3 reasons to visit Howard Smith Wharves

From its idyllic riverfront setting to the surprising number of communal spaces, Howard Smith Wharves thrills visitors of all ages – just ask my kids.

1. Felons Brewing Co

friends dining by the river with a view of the story bridge at Felons Brewing Co., Howard Smith Wharves
Felons Brewing Co. is the jewel in the crown of Howard Smith Wharves. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

My littlies love a lazy Felons Brewing Co session just as much as us grown-ups. Sprawled across two gigantic venues that spill into outdoor spaces and river-facing deck seating, the colossal brewery operation is Howard Smith Wharves’ headline act. For a kid-friendly visit, I head straight for the faux-turf Fish n’ Chipper section where a boat playground sits adjacent to al fresco tables with river views. My tribe love climbing and slippery dipping as they devour handfuls of hot chips and battered fish, while my husband and I (try to) soak up the ambience mere metres away.

If you’re kid-free, steal a seat inside The Brewery where pizza ovens, including one dedicated to thin n’ crispy creations, roll out top-notch pub grub. The beer is as good as it gets no matter your poison, but I recommend heading into the Barrel Hall to sample barrel-aged creations, a smashing Thai menu and pinball machines. No matter where you park your clan, Felons exudes an unpretentious, endlessly creative ethos that always ensures a memorable visit.

2. Story Bridge Adventure Climb

the Story Bridge Adventure Climb, Howard Smith Wharves
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb offers breathtaking views across the city. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

While there’s plenty to love at ground level, Howard Smith Wharves is also home to one of the city’s most ambitious above-ground attractions. The Story Bridge Adventure Climb shifted from Kangaroo Point in January 2025, making it all too easy to squeeze in an iconic adrenaline rush before exploring the rest of the precinct. Get suited up throughout the day but stay across the website for the once-monthly dawn climb which offers especially breathtaking views across the city and out to the Sunshine Coast’s Glass House Mountains and Moreton Bay.

3. Howard Smith Wharves’ outdoor spaces

the Brisbane River with tall buildings in the background
The transformation of Brisbane and Howard Smith Wharves continues to evolve. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

Multiple grass patches at the New Farm end of Howard Smith Wharves blend interactive art installations with ample room to help stretch my kids’ legs out plenty fold. Best of all, they’re positioned to take in solid eyefuls of the Brown Snake (what we affectionately call the Brisbane River) as that Brooklyn-esque Story Bridge looms overhead. I love the Main Lawn in spring and summer when it’s dotted with picnic tables, live music and games every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from midday. Plus, you can order food to-go from Fellini’s Trattoria (more on all your food options below). If you’re visiting during the cooler months, pack a picnic rug because it’s still a fabulous time out.

Need tips, more detail or itinerary ideas tailored to you? Ask AT.

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Howard Smith Wharves restaurants and bars

Perched right up against the Brisbane River, each of Howard Smith Wharves’ dining and drinking hotspots offers a distinct dash of high-life revelry.

Fellini’s Trattoria

Carb loading comes easy at Howard Smith Wharves, especially that of the uber-delicious Italian-splashed variety. Fellini’s Trattoria opened in September 2025 right next door to the long-loved Mediterranean-inspired Ciao Papi. It’s more casual than Papi, offering breakfast spanning ricotta scrambled eggs, Nutella croissants and porchetta rolls, but the quality remains authentic and flavour-crammed while several spritzes and lovely international and local wines dot the drinks menu.

Ciao Papi

a family dining at Ciao Papi with a scenic waterfront backdrop
Dine on Instagram-friendly antipasti dishes against dreamy waterfront views.

Evoking sun-drenched vacay vibes, Ciao Papi is a long-lunching stalwart that nails hearty fare from everyone’s favourite European destination. Located at the New Farm end of Howard Smith Wharves, the sophisticated eatery plates up a menu of al dente pasta, fresh seafood, pudgy and crispy pizzas alongside water views for days.

Stanley

Situated at the CBD end of Howard Smith Wharves, Stanley ’s waterfront setting embraces that warm Brisbane breeze with al fresco-enjoyed Cantonese cuisine. A slick operation that leans into local produce while warming your belly with the flavour bombs of Southern China, Stanley excels at yum cha for lunch and à la carte in the evening. Kick on after-dark festivities at Stan’s Lounge , one of my favourite Brisbane bars located just upstairs, where cocktails roll into the wee hours and a rotating door of DJs provides excellent ear candy.

Yoko

a Japanese brunch at Yoko, Brisbane
The bottomless brunch menu at Yoko puts a spotlight on Japanese favourites.

Next door to Stanley lies Yoko , renowned for its incredible Japanese fine dining and one of the best bottomless brunches in Brisbane. Score a table on Saturday or Sunday to seize a Buns & Bubbles brunch package with almost two hours of free-flowing prosecco, wine and beer, or visit any other time for traditional Japanese dining done right. The scene is Instagram-perfected, too, with a sumptuous mix of soft leather and warm timbers.

Greca

al fresco dining at Greca, Howard Smith Wharves
Grab a relaxed al fresco spot at the Greek-inspired Greca.

I highly recommend stretchy pants upon visiting Greca . Bringing the flavours of Greece to Howard Smith Wharves, this restaurant is inspired by traditional Greek tavernas and mirrors the same fun-loving ambience. Located right next to Yoko before you hit Mr Percival’s, a light and airy space offers an à la carte menu with all the classics. Think pita and dips, saganaki, eggplant moussaka, grilled sardines, lamb shoulder, souvlaki, and it just keeps going.

Mr Percival’s

al fresco dining at Mr Percival’s, Howard Smith Wharves
Raise a glass under a brightly coloured umbrella at Mr Percival’s.

Here for a good time? Mr Percival’s is Howard Smith Wharves’ overwater bar and one of the original venues to pull serious crowds to the entertainment precinct. It’s impossible to avoid getting swept up in the merriment of cocktail-laced catchups when the views directly beneath Story Bridge are this iconic. Sit back and spur on all-day waterfront antics with a menu that features small plates and large plates to pick at between drinks.

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Felons Barrel Hall

While the food next door at Felons is bangin’, Felons Barrel Hall offers an entirely separate selection of flavour-crammed Thai dishes. Designed to share with the whole table, the menu spans traditional snacks, salads, curries and hibachi grilled delights. Wash the goodness down with barrel-aged beers that come on tap or by the bottle in the shape of cleverly packaged wine-bottle designs.

Howard Smith Wharves accommodation

There may only be one spot to rest your head at Howard Smith Wharves, but it’s one of the city’s most acclaimed overnight stays.

Crystalbrook Vincent

a couple relaxing in the pool by the Brisbane River and Story Bridge at Crystalbrook Vincent, Howard Smith Wharves
The riverfront hotel sits directly under the Story Bridge. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

If you haven’t fallen head over heels for the Crystalbrook chain yet, prepare for hotel excellence centred on creativity and design. As each location is distinguished through a unique character, Crystalbrook Vincent celebrates Australian artist Vincent Fantauzzo so hundreds of his original works line the walls. While the rooms are flawless, there’s also Fiume , the rooftop bar, to slink into come sundowner o’clock, plus Mews , a top Howard Smith Wharves spot for breakfast at the CBD end of the precinct.

The history of Howard Smith Wharves

the Story Bridge aglow with lights at night above Felons Brewing Co., Howard Smith Wharves
The heritage-listed site is historically significant. (Image: Richard Greenwood)

Paying spectacular homage to its original 1930s structure, Howard Smith Wharves is a tribute to the last surviving wharfage in central Brisbane. It was first built by the Queensland Government as a project to provide relief work during the Depression era, around the same time Story Bridge was erected across the Brisbane River. Soon after, it served as a shipping facility for Howard Smith Co Ltd. Sitting pretty, yet vacant, since 1960, the heritage-listed site was transformed through a $110 million development project in 2017, which breathed new life into the precinct while honouring its legacy. Several buildings were raised above sea level to create flat grounds, and in went the structures that stand today. Howard Smith Wharves is set to undertake a multi-million-dollar expansion in the lead-up to the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, which will see a new boutique hotel, expanded spaces, potential pontoons and a pool deck added, utterly transforming one of the city’s most cherished locales.

Getting to and around Howard Smith Wharves

Address: 5 Boundary St, Brisbane

Getting there: The nearest train station is Central Station in the CBD, which is one kilometre away. If you’re walking from the cliffs of Bowen Terrace, take the lift opposite Malt St down for instant access. If you’re coming in via CityCat, Howard Smith Wharves has its own ferry terminal.

Parking: A dedicated car park is located below ground with prepaid bookings available at this link . There is also the Secure Parking Emirates Car Park on Eagle St, which places you about three minutes’ walk from the precinct.

Opening hours: Howard Smith Wharves is open daily but check individual venue websites for precise opening hours.

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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Exploding supernovas & gold fever: discover the past at this outback Qld town

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    Under wide-open outback skies, discover a fossicking gem that’s managed to slip under the radar.

    While the name Clermont may feel new to even the most intrepid traveller, its gilded history stretches back centuries. You’ll find it just off the highway, humming quietly under the hazy veil of Queensland’s outback sun. It’s here, hemmed in by mountains and perched atop soil heavy with the earth’s treasures, that one of Australia’s most accessible outback adventures awaits.

    Thanks to deposits of gold, copper and gemstones – souvenirs left by exploding supernovas and the heave of tectonic plates – Clermont became a centre point of Queensland’s Gold Rush. And now? Australia’s fossicking capital is yours to discover.

    Getting there

    car driving along Capricorn Way in queensland
    Take a drive through Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. (Image: Sean Scott/ TEQ)

    You’ll find Clermont in Queensland’s Mackay Isaac region. To get here, it’s an easy three-hour drive over sealed roads from Mackay. Or, if you’re heading from the Sapphire Fields of Emerald, the drive will carve out just over an hour from your day.

    Whether you’re road-tripping through outback Queensland or just tracing your way through all that Australia has to offer, Clermont is remote but easily accessible.

    Best accommodation in Clermont

    Theresa CreekDam in clermont
    Camp by Theresa Creek Dam. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

    All accommodation comes with a generous helping of country hospitality here. The choice is yours between modern hotels, parking up the camper or pitching a tent.

    Theresa Creek Dam lies just outside town. Begin each day with crisp country air and bright outback sunrises. Spend the night under the sparkling country stars and your days out on the dam fishing or kayaking. Even if you aren’t camping, be sure to save space in your itinerary for an afternoon on the red dirt shore.

    To stay closer to town, opt for a central hotel to base yourself between exploring and fossicking, like Smart Stayzzz Inn and Clermont Country Motor Inn .

    Things to do in Clermont

    three people on a tour with Golden Prospecting
    Join a tour with Golden Prospecting.

    One does not visit Clermont without trying their hand at fossicking. There are strict rules when it comes to fossicking, so stick to areas dedicated for general permission and make sure you obtain your license beforehand. Try your luck at McMasters , Four Mile , Town Desert, McDonald Flat and Flat Diggings . To increase your odds, sign on for a tour with the expert team at Golden Prospecting . They’ll give you access to exclusive plots and expert advice along the way.

    Once you’ve tried your luck on the gold fields, head to the Clermont Township and Historical Museum . Each exhibit works like an archaeologist’s brush to dust away the layers of Clermont’s history. Like the steam engine that painstakingly relocated the entire town inch by inch to higher ground after it was decimated by flooding in 1916. See the tools that helped build the Blair Athol mine, historic fire engines, shearing sheds and all sorts of relics that make up Clermont’s story.

    The historic Copperfield Chimney offers a change of pace. Legend has it that fossickers found a solid wall of copper here, over three metres high, kick-starting Queensland’s first-ever copper mine.

    Bush Heli Services flying over clermont queensland
    See Clermont from above with Bush Heli Services. (Image: Riptide Creative/ TEQ)

    For hiking, nearby Dysart is the best place to access Peak Range National Park. Here, mountainous horizons stretch across the outback as if plucked from another world. Set off for a scenic drive along the Peak Downs Highway for access to countless geological wonders. Like the slanting rockface of Wolfang Peak. Summit it, and you’ll find yourself looking out across a scene surely conjured up by Banjo Paterson. Dry scrub dancing in the warm breeze, grazing cattle, eucalypts and the gentle creak of windmills. Don’t miss visiting Gemini Peaks, either, for one of the park’s best vistas, and a blanket of wild flowers after rain.

    Then, take to the skies with a scenic helicopter tour with Bush Heli-Services . Shift your perspective and cruise above all the sights from your trip. Spots like Lords Table Mountain and Campbell’s Peak are best viewed from the skies.

    Before you head home, be sure to explore the neighbouring townships. Spend a lazy afternoon in the shade of Nebo Hotel’s wrap-around verandahs . The hotel’s 1900s dance hall has since been replaced with one of the area’s biggest rodeo arenas, so consider timing your trip to line up with a boot scootin’ rodeo. Or, stop by a ghost town. Mount Britton was once a thriving town during the 1880s Gold Rush. It’s been totally abandoned and now lies untouched, a perfect relic of the Gold Rush.

    Best restaurants and cafes in Clermont

    meal at Commercial Hotel
    Stop into the Commercial Hotel Clermont.

    Days spent fossicking, bushwalking and cramming on history call for excellent coffee and hearty country meals. Luckily, Clermont delivers in spades.

    Lotta Lattes Cafe is beloved by locals for a reason. Start your days here for the best caffeine fix in town and an impeccable brunch menu.

    For a real country meal, an icy cold beer and that famed country hospitality, head straight to the town’s iconic hotel: the Commercial Hotel (known endearingly to locals as ‘The Commie’). It’s been a staple in Clermont since 1877. The hotel even survived the flood of 1916 when it was sawn in two and moved to higher ground.

    Naturally, time spent in the outback must include calling into the local bakery. For delicious pies and a tantalising array of sweet treats, make Bluemac Bakehouse your go-to while in town.

    Discover more of The Mackay Isaac region, and start planning your trip at mackayisaac.com.