| City Hall tips and photos posted by real travelers and Brisbane locals. • 28 Photos
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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 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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Brisbane's City Hall is a historic sandstone edifice overlooking the sculptures and fountains of King George Square. It is surrounded by modern skyscrapers, but the observation platform up in the tower still provides one of the best views across the city.
On the groud floor the Brisbane City Gallery has a small permanent museum collection and regularly exhibits local art.
Viewing tower
open: Mon-Fri: 10am – 3pm;
Sat: 10am – 2.30pm
($2, sometimes free)
Brisbane City Gallery
open: Mon-Sun: 10am – 5pm (free) Leave a Comment Address: King George Square, Brisbane
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Building of Brisbane's City Hall was completed in 1930, at the cost of nearly 1,000,000 pounds - and remains the grandest of Australia's city halls. There was a degree of criticism about the expence of the building in Brisbane - a mere outpost in Australia! But it has stood the test of time. Looking over King George Square, the city hall is an impressive and immediately identifiable building in Brisbane. The square hosts many peaceful demonstrations, markets, visiting tent taverns (at the moment), and the buildings facilities are much used by the public of Brisbane.
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Actually taking pix at night is one of the new things I've learnt to do. You have to keep the camera really still as the shutter speed is really slow. Sorry about the last pix,....hope it didn't hurt your eyes too much :o) Here's a better one. Leave a Comment
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It's quite difficult to miss the City Hall when you're in the city but you may miss the best part of it - the free elevator ride up the Clock Tower. Not only you can view the city from a high angle for free, the elevator ride itself is so much fun and enjoyable.
To get to the clock tower, you need to take 2 elevators. The first one is a bit hidden. I couldn't find it until I asked the info desk. It takes you up to a level with some display telling you about the history of the city hall, where you can take the second elevator (a really old one) furture up. This one is really old but cool and it's operated by an operator.
'Oh no! I still wanna make some pics, why it runs so fast?!'... (ooopss, excuse me ;) ) Leave a Comment Address: City Hall
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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. Leave a Comment Address: Cnr Adelaide St & Albert St, BrisbaneDirections: One street from Queen St Mall, just walk west along Albert St.
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City hall is just about in the centre of brisbane...
i love going up the top of there, just to check out the view from the top.
not many people know you can go to the top, just above the clock bit.
you can go in a lift to the top of the clock tower,
just dont go at tewlve o clock!!!!!!!!!!!
"DING DONG DING DONG"
it used to be free... now i think it is about $1, which isnt too bad....
there is a daycare centre in there too.... hehee
the same one i went to many years ago. Leave a Comment Address: city hallDirections: city centre
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Town Hall is lovely at night. I loved to hear the clock chime. This was where I once performed with the school choir. I never forgave my poor parents for not buying the album they made of us singing!! :o) Actually there used to be a lovely fountain here, but not any more. They filled it up with dirt and planted it out. What a shame :o(
Oh btw, please don't blow the pic up,......sorry it's a bit fuzzy :o) Leave a Comment
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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. Leave a Comment Address: King George Square, BrisbaneDirections: In the heart of Brisbane city centre, just south of Central Station.
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