Olympic and Paralympic Teams Welcome Home Queensland Celebration

The Cultural Forecourt (home of the BRISBANE sign) is at the western end of South Bank Parklands, adjacent to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and the Victoria Bridge.

Paid car parking is available through the Queensland Cultural Centre car park (managed by Arts Queensland) via Stanley Place or the South Bank underground car park (managed by South Bank Corporation) via Little Stanley Street. For directions and parking availability, visit Arts Queensland or Visit Brisbane to plan your visit.

South Bank Parklands is also well connected to various public transport options with the nearest train station being South Brisbane and the nearest bus stop being the Cultural Centre. Visit translink.com.au to plan your journey.

Please note, on Saturday 14 September there will be Queensland Rail station closures and travel changes across the network to undertake crucial Cross River Rail works. Track closures and timetable changes will affect the Beenleigh, Gold Coast and Airport lines. Yeerongpilly, Yeronga, Fairfield and Dutton Park stations will be closed. We encourage you to plan ahead by downloading the MyTranslink app, visiting the Translink website or calling 13 12 30.

Whilst the event runs from 9am - 12pm, for your chance to see the official athlete arrival and hear from the athletes themselves, we recommend you arrive no later than 9.15am.

Entry to the Welcome Home Celebration is free with food, drinks and merchandise available for purchase at onsite stalls.

Yes, this is an all ages event. Children should be accompanied by an adult.

Yes, there will be an opportunity to meet and greet the athletes following the official proceedings. Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a selfie and their autograph.

Yes, there will be an opportunity to get autographs from the athletes following the official proceedings. Don’t forget to bring a pen!

Australian Olympians and Paralympians from a range of sports who competed at the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games will be at the Welcome Home Celebration and they are looking forward to meeting you!

The Welcome Home Celebration will have an accessible viewing area, AUSLAN interpreter for stage proceedings, two accessible portable toilets, and closed captioning will be available on the broadcast. Some areas of the Welcome Home Celebration will be on grass.

For further information about accessibility at South Bank Parklands, please refer to the Visit Brisbane website.

Should you wish to discuss accessibility requirements further with the event organisers, please contact the Events and Engagement team, Department of the Premier and Cabinet via phone 07 3003 9200 or email eventsandengagement@premiers.qld.gov.au.

Attendees must comply with the Conditions of Entry which will be displayed at each entrance point to the Welcome Home Celebration. Small bags (up to 40cm x 40cm) are allowed into the event. No alcohol, scooters, bikes, glass drinkware and pets (with the exception of assistance animals) may be brought into the event site.

If you are cycling or scooting to the event, the nearest bike racks are available on Russell Street outside the ABC Headquarters building.

Pets are not allowed into the event except for assistance dogs.

To maximise opportunities to interact with the athletes, sports activities and food stalls onsite, there will be limited seating available at the Welcome Home Celebration. If you require seating, you’re welcome to bring your own picnic blanket or chair.

Yes! Food and beverages will be available for purchase at a variety of food and drink vendors at the Welcome Home Celebration including Iced Tea Co, Aloha Twist, The Bagel Boys, Vatie Tea Hub, Brat Haus Bratmobile, and Butter Meets Sugar.

Yes, there will be portable toilets available at the Welcome Home Celebration, including two accessible portable toilets. You can also choose to use the closest public bathroom facilities located at the Piazza.

South Bank has two parent’s rooms – one located in the Allgas Building in Stanley Street Plaza and the second located next to Cactus Republic in Stanley Street Plaza. For further information about South Bank’s facilities, visit eatSouthBank.

Adding to the excitement on the day there will be live music, performances, sporting demonstrations and activations for you to try your hand at.

You’ll be treated to performances by some of Queensland’s musical talent including Honey Music and The Peppers Pep Band.

Have a go at table tennis and golf with a 4-hole putt-putt course. You can also test your skills at the Queensland Academy of Sport You for 2032 station, experience wheelchair basketball with Sporting Wheelies or try kicking a goal with Football Queensland.

This is an outdoor event and we recommend you dress appropriately for the weather. Wear comfy shoes (and your green and gold). If it’s a hot day, be sure to wear a hat and sunscreen and bring a drink bottle to fill up at our free water stations. If it’s raining, don’t forget your umbrella, raincoat or poncho!

Yes, we encourage you to take photos and videos at the Welcome Home Celebration. Don’t forget to grab a selfie with your favourite athlete! Please share and tag us @qldgov and @brisbanecitycouncil and use our hashtag #QLDWelcomeHome.

The event will go ahead if it’s raining, just bring your umbrella, raincoat or poncho. If the weather is severe, we may pause or postpone the event. Follow our advice through our Facebook page.