The pedestrian-accessible stretch of Brisbane River waterfront in the city's centre is hot, uncomfortable and difficult to navigate, a Brisbane City Council report has found.

From the Botanic Gardens to Howard Smith Wharves, the City Reach Waterfront - for decades home to some of the city's most exclusive restaurants - has been under review all year in a bid to create a world-class city riverfront.

The Brisbane City Reach Waterfront draft masterplan suggests multiple options for the revitalisation of a key stretch of riverside land in the city's centre. Credit:Brisbane City Council

The council has released a draft masterplan for the stretch of waterfront that recognises the complexities of the site and its need for major restoration.

Possible additions to the 1.2 kilometres of waterfront are a lap pool by the river, similar to South Bank's lagoon, more greenspace and trees, and an eight-metre-wide promenade.