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Historical sites, well-known landmarks and some lesser-known buildings and spaces. Learn a little more about the history and changes to Brisbane’s city skyline.
The Story Bridge, opened in July 1940, was named after John Douglas Story – a public servant, and currently has 6 lanes of traffic, plus a footpath and bikeway either side.
These days the bridge links Fortitude Valley with Kangaroo Point. At a distance of 777 metres long, it is a steel cantilever bridge. Apart from its historical significance, there’s the great pub that takes its name, the Story Bridge Hotel almost under its span.
The Story Bridge Adventure Climb began in 2005.
At the annual Riverfire event, the bridge becomes a centre for incredible fireworks displays.
For thirty years, the City Hall and its Clock Tower was the highest building on the Brisbane skyline. Officially opened in April 1930, it is listed with the National Trust. Read more about the building’s construction.
Originally the building was the administrative centre for Brisbane Council. These days, only the Council chambers are used and there are offices for the Lord Mayor and some Councillors. Currently the Museum of Brisbane is on the ground floor, as well as some performance venues. Other rooms are now available for function hire.
Visitors can take a trip skyward to get the views from the Clock Tower. The clock chimes every quarter hour.
Between Adelaide and Ann Streets in Brisbane’s CBD and in front of City Hall is King George Square.
This space opened in 1975 but is currently closed due to construction of a busway tunnel.
Future plans include a revitalisation of King George Square integrated with the Inner Northern Busway.
The National Library of Australia website has a great historical pic of City Hall, prior to King George Square and another showing the traffic of the day.
The steep, sheer cliffs in the city centre are the place for fit climbers and abseilers to test their skills. They are beautifully lit at night too.
The cliffs are not natural but resulted from 150 years of quarrying from 1820. The stone was used for many Brisbane buildings. Kangaroo Point was Brisbane’s first suburb, with land auctioned to free settlers in 1843.
Brisbane’s oldest surviving residence, Newstead House was built for Patrick Leslie in 1845. It had many owners and underwent transformation over the years. High on the hill, Newstead House overlooks the Brisbane River from Breakfast Creek.
It is now an event venue and public museum. The grounds are popular for picnics.
Read some of the history of the Newstead area.
This imposing looking building was the centre of bureaucratic and political power. It was designed by famous colonial architect JJ Clark and constructed in stages between 1885 and 1889.
Today the Treasury Building’s desks and offices have been replaced with gaming tables and machines, bars and restaurants. The neighbouring Lands Administration Building has become the Conrad Treasury Hotel.
The Tower Mill on Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, was built in 1828 by convicts and is Brisbane’s oldest surviving building. It originally had wind powered sails serving as a windmill and was later a treadmill operated by convicts for grinding grain. By the end of the 19th century it was used as an observatory.
This toll bridge spanning the Brisbane River was officially opened in January 1986. It stretches for 1.63 kilometres over the river. The design had to accommodate the need for the structure to be low enough to allow planes to fly to the nearby airport, but high enough to let large ships pass underneath. At its highest point it is 64.5 metres above the river.
Increasing traffic demands means another bridge is currently being built parallel to the Gateway. Read about the Gateway upgrade, which will cost $1.88 billion.
Check the traffic on the webcam.
The name is an Aboriginal word meaning ‘place of honey’.
Previously named One Tree Hill by settlers, it was renamed Mt Coot-tha, with 1500 acres declared a public park in 1883. Other sections were used for mining, as an ammunition dump for the US army in World War II and the television towers at the peak were built in 1960.
Today the lookout is a popular spot for people to get a view of the whole city and to enjoy a meal at the Summit Restaurant & Kuta Cafe.
The mountain is 287 metres above sea level and is part of the Taylor Range. You can read about the history of Mount Coot-tha in our Brisbane suburbs guide.
The current QPAC building stands on the site of the famous Cremorne Theatre (which burnt down in 1954). The land then became government owned and planning began for a major cultural centre.
Robin Gibson designed the centre in the mid 1970s. Decades later in 1982, the Queensland Art Gallery became a reality and the Performing Arts Complex opened its doors in 1985.
The Queensland Museum came next in 1986 and the State Library opened in 1988. Sited next to the Brisbane River, the precinct is linked by the Victoria Bridge to the city centre.
Performances, opera, ballet, exhibitions, graduations, musicals and festivals have all taken place at QPAC. The Cultural Precinct had a huge boost in 2006 with the construction of the Gallery of Modern Art and extensive renovations to the State Library and Queensland Art Gallery. It’s now agreed it is a world-class facility.
Read about QPAC.
You think your renovations took a long time! Construction of the Cathedral began in 1888 and it’s still going...
The architecture is 19th century Gothic-revival style and still under construction. Read about the latest building news.
There are daily tours and church services. St John's is open every day.
The 88 metre high sky needle was part of Brisbane’s successful Expo ’88. Stefan, a prominent local businessman, bought the sculpture and relocated it to his company’s headquarters in South Brisbane.
Known as Brisbane’s ‘sandstone’ university, this large campus (274 acres!) sits on a bend beside the Brisbane River. As the state’s oldest university, it actually began in 1909 in the city centre. In 1927 the Mayne family donated money to allow Brisbane Council to buy the land for the university.
The first building, the Forgan Smith Building, was constructed in 1939 and was used during World War II for military headquarters. Read more of the history here.
These days, the University has other campuses and thousands of students. Read the fast facts.
Search our image gallery to view lots of great photos submitted by ourbrisbane.com visitors.
Brisbane living heritage provides more information about many other historical and important Brisbane locations.
Check out this blog which is called ‘I love brisbane’ – it provides stacks of information about Brisbane’s buildings, public art and places to see.
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