Brisbane's Best Urban Landscape Photography Locations
MAY 4, 2024
Brisbane has now been home for a better part of my life. By any stretch, it's a not a destination that anyone will be racing to and it's hard to think it is now a future Olympic city. As a city however, it has its good points. It is also really accessible when it comes to urban photography.
So, if you find yourself in Brisbane, here are my recommendations for the best urban landscape photography locations. All are suitable year around and all are easily accessible by car. They also rate as pleasant locations to spend a morning or afternoon once you pack the camera away.
1. Kangaroo Point
Kangaroo Point tops the list as one of the most popular locations to capture shots of the city. The best locations are along the top of the cliffs looking towards the Botanical Gardens and down along the river along the river walk which eventually loops under the Story Bridge. I tend to prefer the lower locations on the riverwalk as there are number of rotundas and features to place in the foreground of your images. Â
2. Wilson's Outlook
Wilson's Outlook in New Farm is the best location to capture Story Bridge with the city in the background. Again, you have a choice of setting up on the top of the cliff or walking down to the riverwalk which eventually links up with the Powerhouse in New Farm. With the recent redevelopment of the wharf under the Story Bridge there are now a few more obstructions to work around if you choose to shoot wide, but if you find the right spot you can avoid the building and vegetation clutter.
3. Shorncliffe Pier
Shorncliffe Pier is all about leading lines and light over Moreton Bay. The pier itself is east facing, so you can use the sun to create some interesting dawn compositions. The only downside is that pier is popular with visitors and local residents alike. So be mindful of setting up in areas where you might obstruct others. If you want a different perspective, walk down onto the beach and look back towards the pier.Â
4. Woody Point Jetty
The Woody Point is one of the underrated locations. Like the Shorncliffe Pier, it's all about creating leading lines. Unlike the Shorncliffe Pier, the Wood Point Jetty faces towards the south. In the morning, this allows for lovely side lighting, allowing you to capture the glow of the sunrise and the pink to blue transitions of the sky to the west.  Â
5. South Bank
The last location on my list is Brisbane's most iconic and popular destination. If you want to capture Brisbane in one shot, and spend a pleasant morning or afternoon, this is the place to do it. From South Bank you can look east towards the Brisbane CBD. At one end, you have the Goodwill Bridge and at the other, the Kurilpa Bridge. Both bridges are soon to be joined by a third pedestrian bridge midway. Along Southbank, there are many different compositions to be had. Find something to fill or create interest in your foreground and away you go.
Do you have a favorite spot in Brisbane? Feel free to share, I'd love to know your thoughts.
Cheers,
Russell