UQ St Lucia ferry wharf (also referred to as St Lucia ferry wharf) is a public transport facility on the northern bank of the Brisbane River in Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It serves the suburb of St Lucia and provides direct river‑water access to the University of Queensland (UQ) St Lucia campus.
Location
The wharf is situated adjacent to the University of Queensland’s St Lucia campus, near the intersection of Sir William MacGregor Drive and Whale Road. It is positioned approximately 4 km upstream of the Brisbane central business district.
Operations
The wharf is part of the TransLink integrated public transport network and is serviced by RiverCity Ferries under contract with the Queensland Government. The primary service calling at the wharf is the CityCat high‑speed catamaran service, which provides regular connections between key riverside suburbs such as West End, South Bank, and the University of Queensland. Stop announcements and timetables are displayed on electronic signage at the wharf.
Facilities
The terminal consists of a floating pontoon with a covered waiting area, seating, passenger information displays, ticket‑ vending machines, and wheelchair‑accessible ramps. There is no permanent staff presence, but the wharf is monitored remotely and maintained by Brisbane City Council.
History
The wharf was constructed to improve river transport options for the university community and surrounding suburb. During the January 2011 Queensland floods, the structure sustained damage and was temporarily out of service. Reconstruction work was undertaken, and the wharf was subsequently repaired and reopened for passenger service later in 2011. Since then, it has remained an active component of Brisbane’s river‑based public transport system.
Transport connections
In addition to the CityCat service, the wharf is within walking distance of several University of Queensland bus stops that provide connections to the broader Brisbane bus network, enabling multimodal travel for students, staff, and visitors.
Ownership and management
The wharf is owned by Brisbane City Council and operated under the RiverCity Ferries contract, which is overseen by the Queensland Department of Transport and the TransLink authority.
Significance
UQ St Lucia ferry wharf enhances sustainable transport options for the university and the St Lucia community, offering an alternative to road‑based commuting and contributing to the integration of river transport within Brisbane’s overall public transport framework.