[1][10] The second and current building was constructed on higher ground in 1891 as the terminus for the new rail extension from Boggo Junction (now Dutton Park railway station).

This line bypassed the Woolloongabba railyards and made redundant the Stanley Street railway station that existed from 1882 to 1884.

When the building opened shortly afterwards it included a temperance refreshment room, and served commuters on the South Coast, Cleveland and Beaudesert lines.

[1] South Brisbane station was intended as a temporary terminus, pending an extension of the line across the river, so only two platforms were constructed.

As the interstate station at South Brisbane was to be demolished to make way for the World Expo 88 site, the standard gauge services were extended to the Brisbane Transit Centre, an extension of Roma Street station, on 21 June 1986, making the Transit Centre the interstate terminal.

Either side of the entrance are sloping corrugated-iron street awnings, which are supported by cast-iron columns with Corinthian capitals and large brackets.

The awning to No 1 platform retains a tank roof on a steel frame, with cast-iron columns and brackets and a decorative timber frieze (1891).

[1] On both platforms the furniture consists of a considerable number of early cast-iron framed seats which incorporate the QR logo.

[1] The main building at the South Brisbane Railway Station remains substantially intact, despite interior alteration, but the turntable, two island platforms, and the front park and garden have been removed.

[1] South Brisbane Railway Station was listed on the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992 having satisfied the following criteria.

It is a substantially intact masonry railway station complete with early platform furniture, one of only three erected in Brisbane by 1901, and a good example of its type.

It is a substantially intact masonry railway station complete with early platform furniture, one of only three erected in Brisbane by 1901, and a good example of its type.