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Ascot and Hamilton Heritage Trail

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Learn about Eagle Farm Racecourse and the stunning mansions of Ascot and Hamilton on this historic trail.

About the Ascot and Hamilton Heritage Trail 

The Ascot and Hamilton Heritage Trail takes you through a range of sites and events that have helped shape the suburbs’ history, including:

  • establishment of the racecourse
  • important war-time activity 
  • the commercial and residential history of Racecourse Road
  • its grand mansions.

There are 18 points of interest along the trail. 

The 3.5-kilometre route begins near Hamilton Hotel, travels up Racecourse Road to Windermere and Lancaster Roads. It then crosses into Yabba Street and ends at the entrance to the Eagle Farm Racecourse.

Ascot and Hamilton Heritage Trail map

Start the journey at Brett’s Wharf and head toward Kingsford Smith Drive. Finish the trail at Eagle Farm Racecourse to discover its World War II history. 

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Note

Some sections of this trail are steep and may not be accessible for people with limited mobility. Rupert Terrace, Sutherland Avenue, Henry Street and a small section of Yabba Street do not include standard concrete footpaths and provide turf verges only.

For addresses of all trail stops and the suggested route between stops, download the trail guide.

Points of interest

Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton

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Brett's Wharf and the Apollo Barge Assembly Depot Brett’s Wharves, Hamilton, c. 1953 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
During World War II, Brett's Wharf played an important role as the receiving dock for the US Air Force's unassembled aircraft.

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Eagle Farm Women's Prison Plan of the Eagle Farm Barracks, Eagle Farm, 28 September 1839 (Queensland State Archives)
About this stop
The only way to reach the Eagle Farm Women's Prison was along a convict-hewn track we know today as Kingsford Smith Drive. Although the prison no longer remains, it is an important archaeological site located approximately 2 kilometres away along Schneider Road.

416 Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton

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Substation No. 12 Brisbane Tramways Tram no. 81 on the West End, Breakfast Creek and Ascot Route, 1900-1910 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
The brick substation was built in 1947 as a response to the area's increasing population and the need for better services.

Corner of Kingsford Smith Drive and Riverview Terrace, Hamilton

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Kingsford Smith Drive Illustrated front cover from the Queenslander, July 10 1930 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
In 1953, this road was renamed Kingsford Smith Drive in honour of one of Australia's most important aviators, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith.

442 Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton

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The Hamilton Hotel Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton, c. 1929 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
The Hamilton Hotel was established in 1865 and the suburb was subsequently named after it.

23 Racecourse Road, Hamilton

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Tivoli Gardens Theatre The Brisbane Courier, 25 April 1907
About this stop
Opened in 1907, the Tivoli Gardens was an open-air theatre famous in Brisbane for its Vaudevillian acts.

36 Racecourse Road, Hamilton

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Hamilton Town Hall Hamilton Town Council, Undated (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
This stately building was built in 1920 as the Hamilton Town Hall and Hamilton Town Council Chambers.

64 Racecourse Road, Hamilton

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St Augustine's Anglican Church

View of steps and a bell at St Augustine’s Church, Hamilton, 1938 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
This beautiful church was completed in 1920 as St Augustine's Thank-offering and War Memorial Church.

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Racecourse Road Ascot Motor Garage in Racecourse Road, Ascot, Brisbane, 1920s (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
Racecourse Road was, and still is, the direct path from the river to the racecourse.

132 Windermere Road, Hamilton

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Lynford Lynford, in The Architectural and Building Journal of Queensland, 10 Dec 1928 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
This is one of the finest examples of Tudor Revival homes in Brisbane.

14 Sutherland Avenue, Hamilton

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Windermere Windermere House, Ascot, 1920s (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
The grand residence was built around 1886 for politician, J.G. Appel. It was designed by prominent architect, Richard Gailey.

1 Rupert Terrace, Ascot

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Chateau Nous Chateau Nous, in The Telegraph, 2 August 1939 (National Library of Australia)
About this stop
Built in 1938, this exceptional example of Functionalist architecture brings to mind glamorous 1930s Hollywood parties.

21 Henry Street, Ascot

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Nyrambla Front view of Nyrambla, Ascot, 1932 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
Nyrambla epitomises the development of Ascot in the late 1800s, when grand residences were built on the apexes of the suburb's hills.

110 Yabba Street, Ascot

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Tattersalls Lodge Yabba Street, Ascot, 1922 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
This house was built in the 1890s as accommodation for horse trainers and their families.

83 Kitchener Road, Ascot

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Hamilton Fire Station First Hamilton Fire Station, location unknown, c. 1915 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
Built in 1920, this was a much-needed permanent fire station to service the Ascot and Hamilton.

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Ascot Railway Station

Aerial View of the Queensland Turf Club, Ascot, Brisbane, c. 1925 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
The line from Eagle Junction to Ascot Station (originally called Racecourse Station) was opened in 1882 and was used exclusively for race days.

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Eagle Farm Racecourse Ladies enjoying the races at Ascot Racetrack, Brisbane, October 1941 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
In 1865, the first race meeting was held at the Brisbane Racecourse (now known as Eagle Farm Racecourse).

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Camp Ascot Soldiers Camp, Ascot, 1944 (Brisbane City Council)
About this stop
During World War II, Eagle Farm Racecourse became the first US camp established in Australia.