Even though Brisbane is a young city by world standards, it offers decent value for history lovers. Old stories can be found in a variety of places around the city too: from the obvious, such as museums, to the less obvious, such as markets, bushwalks and the top of bridges – all of which make for a fun adventure. So without further ado, here are 10 great historical sites in Brisbane for you to enjoy, all of which I’ve personally experienced.
(Check out the links for my more detailed posts on each section).
Brisbane Tramway Museum
Did you know that Brisbane had trams right up until 1969? I’ve never really pictured Brisbane as a tram city, as this is associated with Melbourne. However, trams were once an important means of transport in Brisbane, as the volunteers at the Brisbane Tramway Museum in Ferny Grove will happily tell you. Brisbane trams formed an integral part of the city’s history between 1901 and 1969.
After my recent visit to the museum, I learnt loads of stories about Brisbane history via its trams and I got to ride on six trams, dating right through from their inception to their final closure. History lovers will also enjoy a trolleybus shed – which has enough stories about Brisbane on its own – and a gift shop, which contains a tram simulator. In all, the museum is one of the better historical sites in Brisbane. Check out my full post here for more details.
Ferny Grove Rail Trail – Historical Sites in Brisbane
If you want a glimpse into Brisbane’s more macabre side, while incorporating a pleasant, dog-friendly bushwalk into the mix, then head to the Ferny Grove Rail Trail. Located not far from the Brisbane Tramway Museum, the Ferny Grove Rail Trail is a short walk that follows the old Ferny Grove rail line, through woods and a pleasant bushland gully to the site of QLD’s worst rail disaster.
In 1947, 16 people were killed when they were heading to a picnic in nearby Closeburn to celebrate the Labour Day holiday. The driver, who was unfamiliar with the line, was driving too fast. Subsequently the first two carriages flew off the rails. Today, a small plaque remains at the site and the surrounding hills are silent and offer a pleasant walk near one of the most prominent historical sites in Brisbane.
Fortitude Valley Walking Tour
History lovers will enjoy this self-guided walk tour in one of Brisbane’s most historical precincts. The good news is, there are plenty of sites to see on this walk and they’re all in fairly close proximity to each other. You’ll encounter sites such as the Beat Megaclub, where the seeds for gay rights were sown; Brisbane’s oldest and busiest bakery, which is now situated by a laneway that hides a food court; and an old school that remains a seminal spot in women’s history.
Better still, along the way lies one of Brisbane’s oldest pubs, which is also dog-friendly. You could pop in with your dog (which is what I did), grab a beer, watch some live music and have some lunch in a heritage pub. Then, if you’ve still got the energy to move, you could visit one of the city’s oldest Presbyterian churches, which today houses a putt putt golf course and a bar and restaurant. Check out my post here for more details.
Fort Lytton National Park
One of the better historical sites in Brisbane is dedicated to Brisbane’s involvement in wartime defence from 1881 to the end of WWII. Located in Fort Lytton National Park, Fort Lytton Historic Military Precinct has regular tours, tunnels to explore and there are even live cannons that fire in replica events at night. Military enthusiasts will also be schoolboy giddy at all the old machinery the fort contains.
Highlights include the Royal Enfield WWII Despatch Rider’s Motorcycle, the disappearing guns and the twin 6-pounder gun. Fort Lytton Historical Military Precinct is also a fun place for kids to explore, as there’s lots of wide open space and tunnels that lead into old fortified rooms and bunkers. Best of all admission into the national park and tours are free.
Masonic Memorial Centre
For those interested in the history of the mysterious Masonic Club, Brisbane’s Masonic Memorial Centre is the place to visit. It’s one of two Masonic memorials in the world and even if you’re not particularly taken with Masonic history, the architecture inside will show you a side to Brisbane you’ve never seen before. Of all the historical sites in Brisbane, this one is the most elaborate, as no expense was spared in its construction between 1928 – 1930.
Inside, the Freemasons are also more than happy to chat with you about the building and their practices. However, this is provided you go when the Masonic Memorial Centre is actually open to the public, which only happens once a year on the city’s Open House Weekend. Highlights include wielding the Freemason’s Sword and getting some insight into the mysterious world of the Freemasons, which I was told is essentially one gigantic men’s shed.
Old Petrie Town Markets
I recently visited the old Petrie Town Markets, which have a pretty little backdrop. However, what makes them a standout in Brisbane is that they’re set in historic Old Petrie Town. The town itself is spread across 48 acres and dates back to the 1920s, so you can see sights such as the Fire Station Museum, the old Queensland National Bank, the old Bakehouse, a heritage hotel, old lollie shop and a blacksmith.
The markets intertwine themselves with the historic backdrop and offer visitors great food from countries such as Belgium, Germany and Indonesia, to name but a few. Visitors will also find history in the vinyl record store and onsite bookstore. Even better, the markets have a great community, as the storeholders are more than happy to chat with you about their town, making this one of the best historical sites in Brisbane. Check out my post on the markets here to find out more.
Queensland Museum
While a museum is a more conventional way to get your history fix, if you love your dinosaurs, then you can’t go past the Queensland Museum. I visited just recently and experienced the Dinosaurs of Patagonia Exhibition, which was ace. I have a degree in palaeontology and I remember a few things (not too much) and I really loved it!
Better still, there’s an excellent butterfly collection at the museum from ‘The Man from Kuranda’, which you shouldn’t miss and I love the interactivity going on inside the museum. The palaeontology and the bug section in particular have some great interactive options. Also, look out for the giant squids in glass tanks on the entry level, which makes this one of the must-visit historical sites in Brisbane!
Story Bridge Adventure Climb
You’re probably thinking, ‘what kind of history can you get on a bridge climb’? Well, quite a lot actually! I recently did the city’s famous Story Bridge Adventure Climb, which is one of only three bridge climbs in the world. While I’m a tad scared of heights, I was fine after a few minutes. However, when you get to the top, not only are you afforded the best views in the entire city, you’re told some of Brisbane’s most interesting stories.
Just a few of these are: the bridge runs a couple of degrees off a perfect north/south axis because the Brisbane community got together to stop the demolition of a neighbouring pub, which was located directly in the bridge’s planned construction zone. Don’t mess with a pub in Australia! Also, a guy once flew a small plane under the bridge and was jailed for a few months. In earlier days, Brissie locals used to row across the river just to buy a beer at the pub. If you take a climb, you’ll find out many more stories!
St Stephen’s Chapel
St Stephen’s Chapel is a favourite haunt of mine, as I think it’s one of the best historical sites in Brisbane. Why? Firstly the chapel is the oldest church in Brisbane, dating back to 1850. It’s built out of neo-Gothic sandstone and was a regular site of Australia’s first patron saint, Mary MacKillop. The chapel is also small and looks striking alongside office buildings, as it’s located smack in the middle of the city.
However, arguably the best part of the church is the sculpture of Mary MacKillop, carved out of a camphor laurel tree by artist John Elliot. It’s a gorgeous, imposing structure that will give you goosebumps in the darkness and silence of the chapel. However, that’s not all, as there’s the ‘Cathedral Bell’ out the back that was cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry, which cast London’s Big Ben and America’s Liberty Bell. The bell weighs 13.5 tonnes and was too big for the chapel and the neighbouring church, so it resides out the back.
Toowong Cemetery
Last but certainly not least on this list is Toowong Cemetery, which out of all the historical sites in Brisbane on this list contains the most history in Brisbane! Don’t believe me? Spend a few hours walking around the cemetery and reading the tombstones and historical plaques of the Irish settlers, politicians and many famous people who took part in the formulation of Brisbane. There’s literally a story every few metres!
Some of the inhabitants include a former Australian prime minister, a former Australian cricket player, Brisbane’s first mayor, an Australian author, and many others! One intriguing story leads to the possibility, however remote, that notorious London murderer Jack the Ripper is buried here. You can read my more detailed post about that on my other blog, here.
So there you have it, ten historical sites in Brisbane for you to enjoy. Brisbane might be a new city comparatively, but it doesn’t mean it doesn’t have a past! What do you think? Are there any places you recommend that I’ve left out on this list? Let me know in the comments, on social media, or drop me an email.
Happy exploring!
