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The Brisbane River

Tourist attractions

Brisbane, QLD
+61 428 278 473

Description

The Brisbane River, known as Maiwar in the language of the Turrbal people, is the longest river in South East Queensland, Australia. It stretches for 344 km (214 mi) from Mount Stanley and flows through the city of Brisbane, providing a stunning backdrop to the bustling urban hub.

The river is a tidal estuary with brackish water, and it is wide and navigable throughout the Brisbane metropolitan area, making it a popular destination for both locals and tourists.

The Brisbane River has a rich history, named by John Oxley in 1823 after the Governor of New South Wales, Sir Thomas Brisbane. It has been an important means of transport since the early days of settlement and has undergone dredging for navigation purposes since 1862. The river served as a carriageway between Brisbane and Ipswich before the construction of a railway in 1875. The Brisbane River follows a course that begins with its East and West branches merging south of Mount Stanley. It passes through various townships and is joined by the Stanley River before reaching Lake Wivenhoe, created by the Wivenhoe Dam. Beyond the dam, the river meanders eastward, meeting the Bremer River near Ipswich, and flows through Brisbane's western suburbs before reaching the Port of Brisbane and eventually Bramble Bay.

The Brisbane River is easily accessible with multiple major bridges crossing it, including the historic Story Bridge, the tolled Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, and the Clem Jones Tunnel. There are also pedestrian and bicycle bridges such as the Goodwill Bridge

Details

Natural attractions: Rivers & Creeks

Location

Brisbane, QLD

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