 | Brisbane Things To Do | Tips 1 - 10 of 421 |  |
 | |  |  | Southbank: #1 – Landscaped parkland provides a good start | Tip Rating:   |  |  | |  |
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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| | | | City Hall: #2 – Then go up the Tower | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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 old Windmill: The varied history of Queensland’s oldest building | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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 Mall: Queen St: the old girl has lifted up her skirts! | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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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| | | | Story Bridge: Brisbane's "big" bridge | Tip Rating: | | | | |
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. Phone: 1300 254 627Directions: Between Kangaroo Point and the Valley - look to the east from the city area and you can't miss it!Website: http://www.storybridgeadventureclimb.com.au/
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| | | | Old Museum Building | Tip Rating: | | | | |
Back in the dim distant days when I was a small boy, I enjoyed nothing more than having my grandmother take me to the Museum. The Queensland Museum was a marvellous place for a boy, with large skeletons of dinosaurs and diprotodons, real live Queensland lungfish in tanks, and endless glass display cases with cloth covers which could be lifted to display the exciting items inside. In those days, it was housed in this quite extravagant brick building erected in 1891. Before my time, it seems there also was a concert hall in which Dame Nellie Melba once sang, however in 1930 that area was passed to the Queensland Art Gallery. The museum and art gallery remained there until new purpose-built buildings were erected for them in the Southbank area in 1987. The photo shows the building in 1964, when it still housed the museum. It still looks much the same, but the traffic has changed and the ugly overhead wires for the tramway have gone. I gather the building has been restored in recent years for cultural purposes and now is heritage listed. The original concert hall has been rebuilt, a pipe organ installed, and it houses the Queensland Youth Orchestras, the Queensland Youth Choir, the Queensland Pipe Band, and at least one theatrical group. The building must count as one of the more interesting in Brisbane. Address: Cnr of Bowen Bridge Rd and Gregory Tce,Fortitude VPhone: (07) 3257 4089Directions: From Fortitude Valley, head northwest up Bowen Bridge Road.
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| | | | Southbank: Southbank Parklands | Tip Rating: | | | | |
This beautiful recreational area covers 17 hectares of parklands in a wider 120 hectare precinct. This side of the river was developed for 1988 Expo, the dream of our then long term Premier, Sir Joh Bjelke Petersen. Once the site of pavilions, displays, restaurants and international country showcasing, this is now a beautiful and well used recreational site for locals and visitors - with roughly 5 million people visiting this site every year. The ony remnants of Expo are some of the utility buildings and a pub, and a 2 story pagoda, handcrafted for the event, and left as a gift from the Nepalese people. The parkland runs for roughly 1km along the south bank of the Brisbane River - and now an attractive arbour runs along the stretch as a colourful bougainvillia covered shelter. The range of activities are extensive, and I really like the fact that you can use the parklands for such a wide range of activities, and spend little or a lot - making it truly accessible for everyone. You can bring a picnic or BBQ, and guaranteed to find your own secluded spot amongt the meandering grassy areas. You can have a fish and ship or variety of other takeaways, or enjoy a meal in one of the many restaurants dotted throughout the park. There is a created and extensive beach area, complete with lifeguards, catering to a range of swimming and cooling needs - all adjacent picnic and supervision areas - looking over the Brisbane River and city. At the southern end of the parklands is the Queensland Maritime Museum - where there are a range of memorabilia from our maritime past, including an old frigate, Diamantina, and steam tug, Forceful. You can access the parklands from the city by either walking across the Goodwill Bridge or the Victoria Bridge, at either ends of the parklands. The Queensland Museum, Art Gallery and Performing Arts Complex are also part of the Southbank precinct, access from the Victoria Bridge.
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on January 16, 2007
Brisbane
on July 14, 2006
