Rocks Riverside Park is a parkland on the Brisbane River in the south-western suburb Seventeen Mile Rocks. The park is a massive 26 hectares, redeveloped in 1999 from its previous industrial use.
Before it was made into Rocks Riverside Park, the area was used by the Brisbane Cement and Lime Company (later merged with Australian Cement Holdings to create Cement Australia). Coral mined from Moreton Bay was brought in to a wharf and then conveyed to its Darra factory.
Historical artefacts in large industrial size are present through Rocks Riverside Park. Fittings for the dedicated electricity feed can be seen at the wharf, sections of elevated conveyers tower above you, and a massive mill wheel sits part buried into the ground.
The 115-tonne mill covered in 1-inch metal balls and powered by a 2,200 horse-power motor, ground the coral and mix with other raw materials to make the cement. The mix was baked and ground again into the more familiar grey cement powder. The final cement product consisted of about 80% coral.
A mount is a spot to stand on to see over the park. The mount is made up of crushed coral after it had been brought in by boats, a remnant of the coral stocks that covered much of the river flats.
With the reclaiming of the industrial site, the transformation into a recreational area has made a wonderful place to enjoy the outdoors. Grass areas offer an abundance of open space for ball games and other activities. There are three bookable park areas that can be used for functions including weddings.
Walking tracks take you into the hills above the river flats and bushland, as well as along the riverfront with paths following around 2km up to Centenary Bridge.
The playground is extensive with a lot of the common climbing and adventurous equipment commonly found, including a climbing tower and flying fox. For the warmer months (most of the year in Brisbane) there are water features to play in. Flowing water channels with shade sails lead towards a shallow wading pool and water fountains.
BBQs and large sheltered picnic areas are scattered throughout the park, together with the historical features to explore and other activities provided, it offers opportunities to make a full day outing.
Rocks Riverside is a Parkrun location on Saturday mornings, a free 5km run or walk with hundreds of locations worldwide. We came here in December 2023, a day that proved to be in the high 30s and high humidity. Not the best combo for a run. The weather aside, Rocks Riverside is a great spot for Parkrun and enjoyed coming here.
