What is the Brisbane River?
The Brisbane River is the main river of southeast Queensland, flowing about 344 kilometres from the ranges west of Brisbane through the city to Moreton Bay.
Explorer John Oxley named the river in 1823 after Sir Thomas Brisbane, then Governor of New South Wales. The Turrbal and Jagera peoples are the Traditional Owners of the land along its lower reaches, where the city now stands.
The river winds through Brisbane in a series of tight loops, giving many suburbs riverfront land. Bridges such as the Story Bridge, the Kurilpa Bridge and the Goodwill Bridge cross it, and fast CityCat ferries carry commuters and visitors along it.
Floods and dams
The river has flooded Brisbane several times. Major floods in 1893, 1974 and 2011 caused serious damage, and heavy rain in 2022 brought flooding again. Wivenhoe Dam, completed in 1984, stores water and helps reduce flood peaks.
Today the riverbanks are lined with parks, walking paths and cycleways. Brisbane Riverfire, a fireworks display held each September, draws huge crowds to watch from the banks.
Did You Know?
Bull sharks are known to live in the Brisbane River, so swimming in it is not recommended.