Riverstage Brisbane guide: bags, CityCat, parking, rain

Riverstage is an outdoor amphitheatre in the City Botanic Gardens, right on the Brisbane River at the bottom of the CBD. Brisbane City Council runs it and gives the capacity as 9,000 (some other sources say 9,500). It's mostly a grassy hill that slopes down to a covered stage, so for most gigs you're standing on lawn under the sky.

That's the whole appeal, and it's also what catches people out. There's no roof over the crowd, no parking, a strict bag rule and an early finish. Everything below comes from Council's Riverstage page, Ticketmaster and Translink, checked on 26 September 2026. Rules can change from show to show, so read your event page as well. For more gigs around town, see concerts in Brisbane.

Quick facts

How do I get to Riverstage?

Riverstage sits between QUT's Gardens Point campus and the Botanic Gardens, so you'll be walking the last bit whichever way you come. Ticketmaster lists three ways in on foot: along Gardens Point Road, over the Goodwill Bridge, or through the Botanic Gardens.

CityCat (the closest option)

QUT Gardens Point ferry terminal is the nearest stop. Council says it's served by CityCat and Express CityCat and is a 280-metre walk to the venue. Wikipedia lists the wharf as accessible. It's been rebuilt twice after floods (2011 and 2022) and reopened most recently on 1 November 2022. On Translink's Journey Planner it's stop 319637, which is handy for pulling up the timetable fast.

If you live anywhere along the river, this is the easy one. You step off almost at the gate.

Train

Council gives two options:

• South Bank station, an 850-metre walk via the Goodwill Bridge. It's the shortest train walk. Ticketmaster puts the box office on the QUT side next to Gate 1, by the Goodwill Bridge.
• Central station, 1.9 kilometres away via Edward Street and the City Botanic Gardens. It's longer, but handy if your line doesn't stop at South Bank.

Bus

South Bank busway station is about a kilometre away and the Alice Street and George Street stops are about 800 metres, according to Council. The free City Loop (routes 40 and 50) also serves the area, with stops for the City Botanic Gardens and QUT Gardens Point.

Low flat fares apply across the Translink network. Plan any bus trip with the Translink Journey Planner.

Drop-off

Council says you can drop off patrons with accessibility needs or mobility concerns at the roundabout on Gardens Point Road. We couldn't find any other drop-off or rideshare pick-up zone published for the venue, so check with the venue if you're planning around one.

Getting home after the show

Here's the good news about the 10pm noise limit: shows wrap up at a sensible hour, so most people are heading off while regular trains, buses and CityCats are still running. Nobody publishes last-departure times for Riverstage nights, though, and they depend on your route and the day. Look up your trip in the Journey Planner before you go, and have a backup.

With up to 9,000 people leaving at once, expect queues at the closest stops. Central, 1.9km away through the gardens, is the alternative if the CityCat line is long.

If you're kicking on in the city on a Friday or Saturday, Translink's late night services page (as of 26 September 2026) says:

• Nightlink services run between midnight and 5am on Friday and Saturday nights in Brisbane.
• Nightlink trains stop at all stations on the Beenleigh, Caboolture and Ipswich lines.
• Nightlink buses leave from Fortitude Valley and Brisbane City, and have security guards on board.
• Secure taxi ranks run on Friday and Saturday nights, staffed by marshals and security and monitored by CCTV. In the city they're on the left side of Eagle Street approaching Creek Street, and outside the Treasury on the right side of George Street approaching Queen Street.

Is there parking at Riverstage?

No. Council's page is blunt about it: "There is no onsite parking at Riverstage."

What it does say:

• "The closest car park is QUT next door." It's paid. We couldn't load QUT's own parking pages, so check QUT's parking information for the car park name and whether it's open to the public on the night.
• There's limited parking on Alice Street and other streets around the City Botanic Gardens. Ticketmaster describes the Alice Street spots as limited and metered.
• Paid parking is available in the CBD and at South Bank.
• Disability parking spaces are available if you have a permit.

With so little street parking, a CBD or South Bank car park plus a walk is the safer plan if you're driving. Check rates with each car park.

Bag policy: what can I bring to Riverstage?

This is the one that trips people up most. As of September 2026, Council's Riverstage page says bags will be searched and security checks will be done at the gate.

The rest of Council's not-permitted list includes:

• cameras with a detachable lens, iPads, and video or audio recorders of any type
• chairs or elevated seating
• food, glass, and full (or empty) beverage bottles, cans or containers
• eskies and wagon trolleys
• umbrellas and selfie sticks
• fireworks of any kind, flares, large torches and laser pointers
• skateboards and studded fashion items
• large prams
• weapons of any kind
• domestic animals (assistance dogs are fine)

What you can bring, in Council's words: "sealed unopened soft plastic water bottles up to 600 ml - lids will be removed, empty reusable water bottles (no glass), a reusable cup, small packet of lollies, small rugs and blankets, working guide dogs and assistance dogs". Small prams may be allowed, depending on the event.

Small rugs and blankets are in; chairs are out.

Ticketmaster's venue page has a slightly different list (it says strollers are OK, for example). Council runs the venue, so we've followed its list here. The event page has the final say for your show.

Is there a cloakroom?

Yes, and it's free. Council says there's a "free cloakroom located outside the venue, near Gate 1, for storing items not permitted." Everything has to be picked up straight after the show, so don't leave it for tomorrow.

Can you leave and come back in?

No. "Pass outs (tickets that allow you to leave and re-enter later) will not be given." Once you're in, you're in. Grab what you need before the gate.

What happens if it rains?

The show goes on. Council's policy: "If rain or bad weather occurs, the show will proceed, unless deemed unsafe to do so. No refunds will be authorised unless the event is cancelled."

Umbrellas aren't allowed, so bring a light rain jacket or poncho that folds into your A4 bag. Storms can still stop things. At Tate McRae's show on 10 November 2024, scenestr reported the crowd was evacuated ahead of a thunderstorm. After about an hour the show went ahead from 8:40pm "with all 9,000 fans flooding back into the venue", and the support act was dropped. If staff clear the hill, follow them and keep an eye on the venue's and promoter's updates.

Age rules and ID

It depends on the show, so check the age rule on your event page.

18+ events. Council accepts an "Australian driver's licence or learner's permit, passport (from any country), adult proof of age card, a recognised proof of age card (e.g. Keypass identity card), foreign driver's licence". Hard copy or digital is fine. The venue "may refuse entry (without refund) if your ID isn't satisfactory", so don't leave it at home.

All-ages events. Council's rules:

• Adults must go with children 12 and under.
• Adults are strongly recommended to go with children aged 13 to 15.
• Everyone needs a valid ticket, whatever their age.

Dress code

Simple: "Patrons must wear a shirt and shoes at all times." You're on grass and a slope, so shoes with some grip beat thongs, especially if it's rained.

Standing, seating and the hill

Council says general admission events are standing room only, and some events have reserved seating. The venue is on a slope with different gradients. Wikipedia describes the surface as concrete and grass.

Your ticket tells you which layout your show has. On a GA night, a small rug (allowed) is the only thing you can sit on, since chairs aren't.

Wikipedia also notes that an overflow live screening area next to the venue may be used when it's full.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair access: Council says the venue is wheelchair accessible, but it's on a slope with different gradient levels, so plan for some hills.
• Viewing platform: there's a "limited accessible viewing platform at the top of the hill". You can buy one accessible ticket plus one accompanying seat or one Companion Card seat. Foldable chairs are available on the platform.
• Companion Card: Council accepts the Queensland Government Companion Card, which gives free entry for a support person.
• Booking: Ticketmaster's Accessible Line is 1300 446 925, or use its online request form.
• Toilets: there's a wheelchair-accessible portable toilet near the platform. If you're down the front, Council says to ask security for the nearest accessible one.
• Bar: "The upstairs of the bar is currently only accessible via stairs."
• Assistance animals are welcome but must wear an ID vest or carry identification.
• Sensory needs: there's no quiet room. Sensory tools, sunglasses and noise-cancelling headphones are allowed.
• Auslan: Auslan-interpreted events are flagged in Council's What's On in Brisbane listing.
• Drop-off: at the roundabout on Gardens Point Road.

We couldn't find any mention of a hearing loop, so check with the venue if you need one.

Food, drink and facilities

• There are several food and drink outlets on site, plus a bar with an upstairs level (stairs only).
• Outside food and drink aren't allowed, apart from the permitted water bottles and a small packet of lollies. No alcohol can be brought in.
• First aid is at the station or medical tent to the right of the stage.
• Merch is sold from a stall run by an outside vendor near Gate 1.
• Smoking is only allowed in designated smoking areas.

Council doesn't say which payment types the bars and food outlets take, so check with the venue if that matters.

Tickets, box office and set times

• Ticketmaster is Council's contracted ticketing provider.
• Council says a temporary Ticketmaster box office is "generally open outside Gate 1 for Riverstage concerts". It opens about 30 to 60 minutes before gates and closes around 8pm. It's first come, first served.
• Ticketmaster says the box office is on the QUT side next to Gate 1, by the Goodwill Bridge. It takes credit cards only, and there's no ATM on site.
• Gate and set times vary by show and aren't published by the venue. Check your ticket and the promoter's pages.

A bit of history

Riverstage opened on 7 September 1989, inspired by the temporary stage built for World Expo '88. According to Wikipedia, it's hosted Soundwave (2007 and 2008), Daft Punk's Alive tour in December 2007, Powderfinger's final show in November 2010 and a Foo Fighters benefit for Queensland flood relief in 2011, plus the annual Carols by Candlelight.

Before you go

• Check your event page for gate times, the age rule and whether it's GA or seated.
• Pack a bag no bigger than A4. No backpacks.
• Bring ID if it's an 18+ show.
• Pack a rain jacket, not an umbrella, and a small rug if you want one.
• Plan the CityCat to QUT Gardens Point or the train to South Bank, and check your trip home in the Journey Planner.
• Driving? Pick a CBD or South Bank car park in advance. There's no parking at the venue.
• Need the accessible platform? Book through Ticketmaster's Accessible Line early.
• Remember there are no pass-outs, and collect anything from the cloakroom straight after the show.

Upcoming shows at Riverstage