Getting Here

Location

The Brisbane Showgrounds is conveniently located just 1.5km from the city’s CBD in Bowen Hills and 15 minutes from Brisbane Airport.

It’s bordered by Bowen Bridge Road, O'Connell Terrace, Brookes Street and St Paul's Terrace and is home to the Brisbane Cycling Festival Village, state-of-the-art Royal International Convention Centre and vibrant King Street dining and retail hub.

For all Road Closure Impacts over Tour de Brisbane weekend - click here.

Active Lifestyle Expo

We’re gearing up for another incredible Optus Active Lifestyle Expo, moving to a new location in Sideshow Alley at the Brisbane Showgrounds. We cannot wait to see you there.

Opening Times

Friday 12 April 12pm – 6pm

Saturday 13 April 9am – 5pm

Sunday 14 April 8am – 3pm

Getting Here

Sideshow Alley, Bowen Hills

Whether you’re arriving on foot, cycling, or using public transport, getting to the Optus Active Lifestyle Expo is easy. Sideshow Alley is located at the Brisbane Showgrounds in Bowen Hills. We strongly recommend arriving by public transport or rideshare.

View on Google Maps (URL: https://maps.app.goo.gl/HDYpfgNzcRFSHnVx9)

Closest Train Stations

There are two train stations close to Sideshow Alley – Bowen Hills Station and Fortitude Valley Station. Both stations are a 15 minute walk or a 1.1km cycle from the Active Lifestyle Expo.

Exhibition Station will not be open over the Expo weekend.

Parking

If you’re visiting the Active Life Expo on Friday 12 April or Saturday 13 April. Undercover parking is available at the Pavilion Parking Structure off O’Connell Terrace. Visitors can access the Expo site through Gate 5. Parking starts from $12, with weekend rates fixed at $18.

On Sunday 14 April, undercover parking is available at Cornerstone Car Park - Herston Road or King Street Parking.

Weekend rates for parking at Herston Road is fixed at a daily rate of $15. The car park is a 7 minute walk from the Expo site.

Weekend rates for parking at King Street Parking is fixed at a daily rate of $18 after the first two hours. The car park is a 6 minute walk from the Expo site.

Admission

Free Entry to the Optus Active Lifestyle Expo.

All weather event

Yes, the Optus Active Lifestyle Expo is an all-weather event. Whilst some activities may be impacted, our Exhibitors are sheltered from the weather.

Pets

The Optus Active Lifestyle Expo will see in excess of 25,000 people through the site over the duration of the weekend. Whilst guide dogs and registered assistance pets are welcome, we kindly recommend all other pets remain at home.

Bike

Numerous bike racks are located in King Street, including outside CAMS Cycling Collective. A map of Brisbane's bikeways can be found on the Cycling Brisbane website.

Accessibility

The Brisbane Showgrounds is designed to provide exceptional services and facilities to all visitors.

The Royal International Convention Centre is wheelchair accessible on both levels and designated car parking spaces are located on ground level. Wheelchairs are also available from the Customer Relations team.

Individual accessibility restrooms are located on both the upper and lower levels of the convention centre and there is one ambulant toilet within each bathroom location.

Public Transport

The Brisbane Showgrounds is in close proximity to numerous public transport options.

Taxi / Rideshare

Two main taxi companies operate in Brisbane - Black and White Cabs (ph. 13 32 22) and Yellow Cabs (ph. 13 19 24). There are taxi zones located on our doorstep, outside Rydges Hotel and Fat Dumpling on King Street. Rideshare companies also operate in Brisbane.

Train

Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley train stations are less than a 10 minute walk from the Brisbane Showgrounds. For further information visit the TransLink website or phone 13 12 30.

Bus

Buses access the streets surrounding the Brisbane Showgrounds regularly. The main bus stops are located on Bowen Bridge Road outside The Old Museum and on St Pauls Terrace near King Street. You can also choose to ride the CityGlider buses, which provide high-frequency transport from West End to Teneriffe and Ashgrove to Stones Corner, while the free City Loop bus service is perfect for exploring the CBD. For further information visit the TransLink website or phone 13 12 30.