I first caught a glimpse of the Venus Rising sculpture at Kangaroo Point after doing this top Brisbane short walk following the Paniyiri Greek Festival on Sunday night. The next day, I had to do it again — this time in daylight. I’m so glad I did because this is honestly the coolest short walk you can do in Brisbane.
The best part? It’s got awesome Greek mythology vibes — remember, Venus is the Roman name for Aphrodite, the goddess of love — so who wouldn’t want to do it? Plus, there’s heaps to explore along the way, like jumping on the Wheel of Brisbane for incredible views of the CBD, the river, and the beautiful South Bank parklands. This Brisbane walk might be short, but it’s seriously one of the most epic things you can do in Brisbane.
Best Short Walk in Brisbane: Ultimate Guide
Start your adventure at the iconic Brisbane sign, then hop on the Wheel of Brisbane for breathtaking views before heading to Venus Rising. After the ride, enjoy a relaxed stroll through South Bank and beyond, exploring one of the city’s most scenic routes. The walk from the Brisbane sign to Kangaroo Point covers about 3.5 kilometers — a lovely stretch with plenty of spots to pause, grab a bite, or enjoy a drink along the way. As you leave the towering Ferris wheel behind, one of the first sights you’ll encounter is the Nepalese Peace Pagoda — a serene haven where you can step inside to soak in its calming atmosphere or simply admire its beauty from outside. It makes for a truly beautiful beginning to this top Brisbane walk.
Pretty soon, one of the coolest sights in South Bank comes into view — the lagoon. It’s got that straight-up paradise vibe, like somewhere Venus herself would be itching to take a dip.
Seriously, it’s the kind of place that makes you want to relax and soak in the good vibes.
The path that winds through South Bank is pretty awesome too. It’s lined with flowers that seem to grow right on the steel arches rising from the ground — like nature and architecture had a secret collab. It’s a super cool walking path, perfect for taking your time and soaking in the atmosphere.
If you do this walk at the right time, grabbing lunch or brunch in South Bank is a total no-brainer. There are plenty of tempting spots, but I went with O Bagel South Bank and grabbed one of their epic bagels. It was the perfect energy boost before continuing my walk to Venus Rising.
South Bank has plenty of water features and pools to take a dip in, so here’s a tip: bring your bathing gear if you’re into swimming in paradise-like pools. On a hot day, you probably won’t be able to resist the allure.
I even spotted a lizard resting on one of South Bank’s footbridges enjoying the water views.
Epicurious Garden in South Bank is one of the most chill spots in South Bank, with a cool Confucius statue. You’ll notice a strong Asian presence in the area, and no wonder — it’s like a little slice of Asia right in Brisbane. You can just see the Confucius statue on the other side of the beautiful pond in the picture below.
On your way to Venus Rising, you’ll also notice an attraction worth a detour. It’s a War Memorial that catches your eye and makes you curious about what’s there. Here’s a view looking down from the staircase.
Sticking close to the Brisbane River’s edge, you’ll find yourself impossible to get lost. As I wandered further along, I spotted some historic cannons pointing out over the water, giving the place a real sense of history and character.
Keep walking around, and you’ll get closer to Venus Rising while taking in some stunning river and CBD views.
Eventually, you’ll come across some cliffs — welcome to Kangaroo Point. I even saw some abseilers descending them, which felt pretty symbolic. Here, you have Venus Rising, and it also seems to be a popular spot for climbing down the cliffs. You can even catch your first glimpse of the Venus Rising sculpture right here.
There’s a staircase at Kangaroo Point that leads to the top of the cliffs. Climb up, and soon you’ll be greeted by Venus Rising. But before you do, be sure to stop by Joey’s Cafe for a bite and a refreshment. I absolutely loved the juice and the cake — totally delicious!
After that, patience is key — wait and see what unfolds. You never know… maybe, just maybe, you’ll be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Venus Rising.
And there you have it: The ultimate Brisbane short walk — from South Bank to the breathtaking Venus Rising.
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