The Turbot Street Underpass Is Now Home to Brisbane CBD's First Free Basketball, Pickleball and Handball Court

Do you spend much of your time in Brisbane's CBD? Do you also fancy a stint of pickleball to break up your day? A lunchtime game of basketball to add some exercise to the nine-to-five grind? Feeling nostalgic post-work or -study with a round of handball? Here's some excellent news: you can now add getting active to your agenda — and for free — at the inner city's new sports court.

First announced in 2023 and officially opening on Monday, March 11, the Turbot Street Underpass has welcomed a multi-use outdoor space where Brisbanites can play basketball, handball and pickleball, and even soccer and cricket as well. So, hitting the gym, heading for a stroll or run by the river, moseying over South Bank and keeping an eye out for the city's free exercise classes aren't the only ways to think about fitness when you're smack-bang in the middle of the River City.

While you can play whichever sport you like, the court is only marked for three: basketball, pickleball and soccer. It isn't hard to adapt that setup for handball, though. Worth noting for pickleball fans: the net is supplied, but you'll need to put it up and take it down. For all other equipment for which game takes your fancy, other than the basketball hoop, you'll also need to bring that with you.

Open to everyone between 7am–7pm daily, this is the Brisbane CBD's first-ever sports court. The site is fenced in, in the shade and, thanks to its location, just a one-minute walk from King George Square — and obviously just a stone's thrown from Roma Street Parkland as well.

The new addition to the corner of Turbot and Roma streets — taking over a space that's been used for parking over the years — is an extension to Mirvac's Heritage Lanes precinct at 80 Ann Street, which features 35 levels of office space, plus cafes and eateries on the ground level. You'll need to book through Heritage Lanes, in fact, with one-hour slots available; however, you can also just turn up. Bookings will always take priority, so that's your best way to ensure that you can get on the court.

When you need a rest, or if you're just keen to watch on, there's also bleacher-style seating. The site has been landscaped, too, and surrounded with outdoor artworks. And, for quenching your thirst after working up a sweat, there's a drinking fountain.

Among the court's rules, pets aren't allowed in the space, and neither are alcohol or glass containers. Food is permitted, but only in the seating areas.

If the sports court is a hit, Brisbane City Council might create more as well. "We look forward to hearing what the community thinks about this new space and hope to investigate more opportunities for urban courts around the CBD," said Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

John Robert McPherson via Wikimedia Commons

The new sports court at the Turbot Street underpass is due to open by the end of 2023 — we'll update you with an exact date when one is announced.