City Hall, Brisbane

1 more image

Unfortunately, the beautiful City Hall is closed for renovations, so I will update when it is open for interior viewing again. Even though it is closed, it still is worth making the effort to view from the outside.
Built in the mid-19th century, its architecture is Victorian.

There is an impressive tall clock tower, when open again, I should think guided tours would be taking place once more!

CLOSED FOR RENOVATIONS FOR 3 YEARS....2010, 2011 AND 2012

Going up the City Hall clock tower to the observation deck is a fun way to spend about an hour. However, if you are planning on doing this, you should be aware that the whole building (including the clock tower) will be closed from 1 Jan 2010 until some time in 2013.

This closure is to address issues of rising damp, water penetration of concrete footings and insufficient reinforcing in concrete footings.

1 more image

Take an hour or so out of your day and visit Brisbane City Hall, which is home to the Museum of Brisbane. You can also ride an old fashioned elevator to the top of City Hall's clock tower and get a nice 360 degree view of much of the city. The best part of all - it was free!

At the Museum of Brisbane, we got a chance to see several pieces by local artists, including some beautiful paintings by one particular Aborigine artist. They also had an exhibit about Brisbane's history, which I found very interesting since I did not grow up in Australia. However, they have probably changed out this exhibit for another one by now.

Before going, I would just make sure that both the Museum and the clock tower are open. Our first time there, the clock tower was closed, and we had to come back a few days later.

For 75 years, visitors to Brisbane have been able to take in city views from the Cith Hall Tower.
Built between 1920 and 1930, heritage-listed City Hall is on King George Square in the city's heart.

The sandstone clock tower, rising 92m is open Monday to Friday from 10 - 3p.m and on Saturday from 10-2p.m. Adults $2.00 and children $1.00 AUD
Closed Sunday and Public Holidays

2 more images

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).

3 more images

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.

An easy walk from the Queen Street Mall to this fine building overlooking a large square which was being renovated during our visit. We went inside the building and spent some time in the museum, free entry.

4 more images

Brisbane's City Hall is a large sandstone building in the centre of the city. It is located on King George Square, just a few metres from the central train station.

The clocktower stands 95m tall and it is possible to take a lift up to the top to take in the panoramic views. The lift is free of charge and a guide tells you a few facts about the building on the way up and down. From the top, there are excellent views over King George Square and across the skyline of the CBD. However, the tall buildings of the CBD restrict any long distance views. The clocktower only opens from 9am - 3pm, and I caught the final lift to the top at 2:55pm, so my stay at the top was rather rushed - but I was up there as the 3pm bells deafeningly rang out!!

The ground floor of the City Hall houses the Museum of Brisbane and the Brisbane City Gallery (see separate tip), both of which are free to enter.

The staff on the information desk are very friendly and helpful and they can provide you with brochures, fliers and city maps and answer any questions you might have. There is also a gift shop in the City Hall.

King George Square, located in front of the City Hall, is a spacious square with a few patches of grass amongst the concrete. It is a popular place for the workers from the nearby CBD to sit and enjoy their lunches, while groups of teenagers sunbathe on the grass. A few statues are dotted around the square, including one outside the City Hall featuring two kangaroos in what appears to be some form of city or state emblem.