 | Brisbane Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 449 |  |
The riverside area to the south from the city is now known as “Southbank”. In former days, it was simply “South Brisbane” and was a sleazy run-down area with rotting old timber wharves, tired looking warehouses, ugly industrial developments, and drunk-infested old pubs. Now it is one of the jewels in Brisbane’s crown.
What brought about the dramatic change? The World Expo of 1988, Brisbane’s contribution to Australia’s bicentenary celebrations. In a flash of inspiration a large expanse of South Brisbane was cleared, with the exception of a few historic pubs, which were restored. Roads were diverted, massive landscaping undertaken, and the 1988 Expo achieved more than anything before or since to put Brisbane on the international map.
Very little remains of the Expo developments – after it had finished nearly all the buildings were removed, most of the roads torn up, and the area was redeveloped again: this time mainly as parkland. As you wander through the forested areas, with substantial trees and water features, it is hard to imagine that the parklands have not been there for far longer! Fortunately, the planners have recognised that people need some shelter from the blazing summer heat, and have provided shelter over many of the main walking paths. But it’s far more than parks, as you will find in the next two tips.
Main photo: Southbank ornamental lake and banyan tree
Second photo: Southbank paths and palms
Third photo: Southbank covered walkway. Address: South of the river from the city areaDirections: Southbank can be reached by walking across the Victoria Bridge, by bus or train, or by “rivercat” ferry. There also is a large and quite expensive underground carpark.
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As you wander through Southbank, you encounter a quite extraordinary sight (well, I think so, anyway). Before you is a sandy beach area surrounded by subtropical parkland and with the city skyline directly across the river. Should you venture there on a sunny summer weekend, you will find what seems a goodly proportion of Brisbane’s population enjoying a swim or just lying on the sand soaking up the sun. The use of the beach is free.
When we visited, not only was the artificial beach extremely busy, but it seemed that another large extension to the pool and beach is well on the way to being completed (it was concreted but empty). Yes, there even is a lifeguard service!
Not far from the beach are numerous restaurants (prices when we visited were reasonable and the food and coffee quite good). Close by them was an open air market and beyond that an old pub restored for Expo – if I hadn’t been so busily involved in doing VT research, I’d very possibly have slipped in for a cold beer! (Oh the sacrifices I make to keep you informed! :-) )
Main photo: Southbank beach (NB “Rivercat” ferry to right in background)
Second photo: Southbank beach. Address: Southbank
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The dominant feature of the City Hall is, of course, the tower rising 92 metres above the city. The free ride up the tower in the original vintage lift, complete with lift driver is well worth taking. To reach it, start with the panelled lift (the timber is Queensland ‘Silky Oak’) near the Museum of Brisbane, go to the third floor and signs will direct you to the wire mesh cage for the lift well.
A radio broadcast of horse racing signalled the approach of the lift and soon the lift driver (who owned the radio) opened the mesh door: we were on our way. There is little to be seen until the lift passes through the 4.9 metre diameter clock at the 55 metre level (the minute hand is 3 metres long, the hour hand 1.7 metres). If you ask, the driver will stop so you can have a better look at the clock. Continuing onwards, the lookout platform is at 76 metres, after climbing a short flight of stairs from the lift. The viewing area now is glassed in for security reasons, years ago there was just an ornamental metal railing. Although much of the view is now obscured by the ubiquitous skyscrapers, it remains an interesting perspective.
The best time to be there is when the clock strikes the hours. The clock has a Westminster chiming pattern, so the five bells ring frequently. We were there at 1100 and enjoyed listening to the booming chimes of the 4.3 tonne main hour bell, not far below us: sensitive hearing is not recommended! Coming down we chatted to the driver, who seems to enjoy the company – there were few other tourists. Automatic lifts are far less interesting!
Visits to the tower are free.
Opening hours 1000 -1500 Monday to Friday, 1000 – 1430 Saturday
Main photo: Brisbane City Hall clock – from the inside
Second photo: The antique liftwell, Brisbane City Hall
Third photo: View north from the tower
Fourth photo: View south from the tower.
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The Maritime Museum is at the eastern boundary of Southbank, adjacent to the (pedestrian and cyclist only) Goodwill Bridge. It is located in and around the historic South Brisbane Dry Dock and is sure to appeal to those with a maritime interest.
Here you can inspect the old Frigate “HMAS Diamantina” built in 1945, look at ship models, ship engines, details of shipwrecks and lighthouses. If you time your visit for the right day (check the website below), you may be able to take a tour down the river and back on the retired 1925 steam-powered tug “Forceful”. I had visited the Museum previously (sadly without a camera) and did not have time for a visit on this trip – but it is worthwhile if you have any historical or maritime interests. The entry charge is $7 for adults.
Open 0930 – 1630 (entry until 1530) except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday. Address: SouthbankPhone: (07) 3844 5361Directions: Eastern side of Southbank, near the Goodwill Bridge.Website: www.maritimemuseum.com.au
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An illustration of Brisbane’s ongoing redevelopment is that just two convict-built buildings remain from its early days, though admittedly many of the early buildings would have been built of timber. One of the two buildings is the former Commissariat Store (now occupied by the Historical Society), where the lower levels are of convict origins. The other is ‘The Mill’, seen here, which dates from 1828 and is Queensland’s oldest building.
The mill was built as a windmill to grind the penal station’s grain, this being the reason for siting it on a ridge above the city. But whether the winds were too light and infrequent or the design wrong, it soon was fitted with an external treadmill to be driven by convicts. From all accounts, working the treadmill was a dreadful task and often used as a form of punishment. Free settlement in 1842 brought an end to the colony’s convict era and new uses for the mill.
In the 1860s, the old mill began to be used for shipping and meteorological observations and as a flag station to signal shipping. Later, the large copper ball was raised and dropped at 1300 daily as a time signal – which continued until 1930.
The tower’s other significant claim to fame, largely ignored, is that the first television signals in the southern hemisphere were transmitted from it by experimenters in April 1934 – long before TV commenced in most places. These experimental TV broadcasts continued until WW2: it's interesting that, recently, a commercial TV network has loudly claimed as “Australia’s first TV” the commencement of its broadcasts in Sydney and Melbourne somewhat later during 1956!
More recently, careful restoration and conservation work was carried out in 1988, to ensure the mill will survive into the future. The interior of the tower is not open to the public. Curiously, although it features on the cover of the brochure by Brisbane’s Living Heritage Network, it is not mentioned inside or on the brochure’s map (or in Brisbane's glossy "Official visitors' guide")! Address: Wickham Terrace, BrisbaneDirections: Head up Edward Street from the city area to Wickham Terrace, then turn left. It is not far along on the left hand side.
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Queen Street is Brisbane’s main street, leading from the north through the city to the Victoria Bridge at the south. Back in the distant days when I called Brisbane home, it was served by regular tram services. Brisbane’s trams have long gone, and Queen Street now is fully pedestrianised between George Street and Edward Street. Down its centre are extensive awnings to provide shade, plus landscaping and eateries. There even is an open air stage. What is not obvious is the major underground bus interchange beneath the street, the main hub for this mode of public transport.
The shops alongside have been rebuilt extensively and there are numerous arcades and department stores. My adult daughter may not have spotted the fashion stores at Southbank, but here she was in her element! The shopping hours are another major change since earlier days – where once the shops closed at 1200 on Saturday, not to re-open until Monday (and the place then became deserted), now they remain open all day until 1700 on weekends. I was truly surprised at the vitality of the place and the number of people in the street – a change from being locked away in shopping malls (though Brisbane has those also).
Main photo: Queen Street Mall, near Albert Street
Second photo: Queen Street Mall, looking south near Edward Street
Third photo: From the same position as the second photo – how it looked in 1964. Address: Smack in the middle of Brisbane
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As Brisbane grew and there were increasing numbers of motor vehicles on the roads, it was decided that additional new bridges would be needed, to supplement the Victoria Bridge. That led to the construction of the Grey Street Bridge (William Jolly Bridge) and, later, the Story Bridge.
The Story Bridge was designed by Dr John Bradfield, who also designed a passably well-known bridge in Sydney. The Storey Bridge, opened in 1940, links Kangaroo Point on the south bank of the river, with Fortitude Valley to the north and is equally as iconic of Brisbane. Given that Queensland had only about 100,000 vehicles at the time, some foresight was involved in creating a bridge with three vehicular lanes in each direction, plus two pedestrian/cycle lanes. The clear span is 282 metres, though the overall bridge is 777 metres long. Its highest point is about the same as a 22 storey building.
What is the significance of the name? The bridge was named after an influential Queensland Public Servant of the 1930s (who now is otherwise forgotten). Aircraft flew under it at least once during WW2. Now, should you feel intrepid, you can join climbs across the top of the two summits – one of only four bridges in the world where such climbs are possible. The phone number and website are for the climb tour operators.
Main photo: Story Bridge from near Creek Street.
Second photo: Story Bridge from a ferry downriver of the city.
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This is a must-visit location in Brisbane. Located 7 kms from the city centre - and accessed by buses which run at 30 minute intervals, it is the single best vantage point of the sprawling city of Brisbane, beyond to Moreton Bay and D'Aguilar Range to the west of the city.
This 220 hectare reserve consists of mountain top natural bushland and wildlife environment. It was originally designated a reserve for the locals to enjoy as far back as 1880, when there was only a shelter and a kiosk there for use.
Now, there is the Kuta Cafe and Giftshop - where you can enjoy takeaway and snacks or the Summit Restaurant. The restaurant hosts functions and is a very high quality eating venue. The views from the restaurant at night are awesome. One memorable meal we enjoyed here was during a fierce storm, and nature's fireworks over the city and lights was beautiful and exciting to watch.
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I’ll assume that, as a tourist, you rank seeing Brisbane at its best as importantly as “just getting there”. For reaching many of the interesting sights, it’s hard to beat the “Citycat” service. The “Citycat” service runs upstream from the city as far as the University of Queensland and downstream as far as the Hamilton Reach, where cruise liners berth. Between those points, many stops have parks or other features of interest, most notably the Southbank and the old Botanic Gardens.
My key point is that between the stops, it is pleasant to look at the changing city skyline, the river and its other users such as moored cruising yachts. I highly recommend just hopping on and doing the full trip up and down the river. The Citycat service runs from 0530 to 2230 daily.
Main photo: Citycat seen from Southbank
Second photo: Brisbane city skyline and paddle steamer
Third photo: Brisbane and its river.
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The numerous small councils in the Brisbane area amalgamated in 1925, to form the Brisbane City Council. That led to the construction of the Brisbane City Hall, which opened in 1930. It faces King George Square, currently a building site, but which formerly had a few statues (most significantly, one of a British king of that name) and some landscaping with palm trees. The building is finished in sandstone, has a classical façade and a tower which was the highest point in Brisbane for many years. I’m prepared to stick out my neck and say that I think this remains one of the most stylish buildings in Australia.
The main feature of the interior is the large circular auditorium with its pipe organ (though I suspect the Lord Mayor and his Deputy, who have offices there, may disagree). In recent years, the Museum of Brisbane (free) has been developed to the left of the main entrance and, when we visited, was featuring a display on the history of the Miss Australia contests, run from the 1920s until 2000 when they fell victim to political correctness. The Museum, which also has a shop, merits a brief visit though I would count it of only relatively passing interest.
The City Hall is open from 0800 to 1700 on weekdays and 1000 to 1700 on weekends. It is closed on public holidays. If you wish to contact (07) 3403 8888 you can arrange to take a guided tour of the building, at a cost of $5 per adult (discounts for children and seniors).
Main photo: Brisbane City Hall in 1964
Second photo: Brisbane City Hall, now surrounded by buildings
Third photo: City Hall Auditorium (panorama, expands). Address: King George Square, between Adelaide and Ann StrePhone: (07) 3403 8888Directions: Pretty hard to miss, one street from Queen Street in the centre of the city.
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on January 17, 2007
on July 14, 2006
