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Breakfast Creek to Bretts Wharf Heritage Trail

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Learn about local history on the Breakfast Creek to Bretts Wharf Heritage Trail. Download the guide and go at your own pace.

About the Breakfast Creek to Bretts Wharf Heritage Trail

The Breakfast Creek to Bretts Wharf Heritage Trail takes you along the river to uncover a range of events and people that have helped shape Hamilton's past.

Walk the trail to learn about:

  • Aboriginal history

  • the transformation of Kingsford Smith Drive

  • the suburbs' iconic architecture and infrastructure. 

There are 14 points of interest along the heritage trail and it's an easy walk along flat terrain.

Breakfast Creek to Bretts Wharf Heritage Trail map

The 2-kilometre trail starts at Breakfast Creek and meanders through the Cameron Rocks Reserve and along the Lores Bonney Riverwalk adjacent to Kingsford Smith Drive. 

The trail ends at the Bretts Wharf plaza, with an option to continue to Remora Road to view the 1927 reclaimed river rock wall at the Hercules Street Park.

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

Points of interest

Breakfast Creek, near the western entrance to Cameron Rocks Reserve, Hamilton

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Hamilton Hydro Service Station Hamilton Hydro Service Station, viewed from River Road, c. 1936 (State Library of Queensland).
About this stop
This unique service station served fuel to both motor vehicles and marine vessels.

Cameron Rocks Reserve, Hamilton

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Cameron Rocks War Memorial Governor Sir Gordon Goodwin opening the Hamilton War Memorial and Cameron Rocks Reserve, in The Brisbane Courier, 17 August 1931 (National Library of Australia)
About this stop
Opened in 1931, this war memorial honours soldiers who fought in World War I.

Cameron Rocks Reserve, opposite Day Street, Hamilton

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About this stop
Built between 1829 and 1830 by female convict labourers, this was the earliest road between the Moreton Bay Settlement and the former Eagle Farm Women’s Prison.

Cameron Rocks Reserve, near the fishing platform, Hamilton

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About this stop
Breakfast Creek was a popular corroboree spot for the Turrbal People.

Lores Bonney Riverwalk, east of Toorak Road (first rest node), Hamilton

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Iconic architecture James Dickson and family outside Toorak House, Hamilton, c. 1872 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
Hamilton is home to fine examples of Brisbane's 19th century architecture.

Lores Bonney Riverwalk, west of Crescent Road (second rest node), Hamilton

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River views Regatta at Bulimba 2024 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
From this vantage point, you can see some of Brisbane's iconic landmarks.

Lores Bonney Riverwalk, between Crescent Road and Grays Road, Hamilton

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Heritage tram shelter Tram on Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton, 1969 (Brisbane City Archives)
About this stop
Located near Crescent Road, this heritage tram shelter was built between 1923 and 1928.

Lores Bonney Riverwalk (third rest node), Hamilton

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Origin of the road name Hamilton Hotel, c. 1929 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
Kingsford Smith Drive was constructed in 1829 and is now one of Brisbane's busiest roads.

Lores Bonney Riverwalk, opposite Quarry Street, Hamilton

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John Frederick Bailey and the subtropical boulevard John Frederick Bailey, undated (South Australian Museum)
About this stop
Kingsford Smith Drive was once named Bailey Memorial Avenue after botanist John Frederick Bailey.

Bretts Wharf plaza (rest node), Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton

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Bretts Wharf Fighter planes at Bretts Wharf, Hamilton, c. 1945 (State Library of Queensland).
About this stop
Built in 1928, Bretts Wharf handled general cargo and timber for export. During World War II, the wharf was used by the United States Navy and Air Force.

Bretts Wharf plaza, Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton

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About this stop
Open from as early as 1892, this popular kiosk was a popular recreational hub in the 1890s and early 1900s.

Bretts Wharf plaza, Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton

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Maude 'Lores' Bonney Lores Bonney with her Gypsy Moth aircraft, Charleville, c. 1933 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
Maude 'Lores' Bonney was the first woman to circumnavigate Australia by air. She became known as Australia's 'Lady of the Sky'.

Hamilton Park, Kingsford Smith Drive, Hamilton

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About this stop
The prison was open from 1830 to 1842. The site remains one of only 6 surviving sites from Brisbane's convict period.

Hercules Street Park, corner of Kingsford Smith Drive and Remora Drive, Hamilton

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Reclaimed river rock wall Kangaroo Point cliffs 1890 (State Library of Queensland)
About this stop
In the 1920s, Brisbane tuff was used to build a retaining wall along the river. In 2019, approximately 80 metres of the wall was reclaimed and reused to preserve the history of Kingsford Smith Drive during the road's upgrade.