South Brisbane Heritage Trail
Walk the South Brisbane Heritage trail to explore the sites, stories and events that have shaped the area's history.
About the South Brisbane Heritage Trail
The Secrets of South Brisbane Heritage Trail highlights important historical sites, colourful stories and infamous events that shaped the area's history.
The walk's highlights include:
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South Brisbane's busy wharves
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Pearl ferry disaster of 1896
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US military presence during World War II
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Brisbane's coming of age with World Expo '88.
South Brisbane Heritage Trail map
There are 22 points of interest along this heritage trail.
It begins at the South Brisbane Dry Dock, passes through South Bank and along the river, and ends at South Brisbane Railway Station.
For addresses of all trail stops and suggested route between stops, download the trail guide.
Points of interest
412 Vulture Street, Kangaroo Point
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South Brisbane Coal Wharves, 1889 (State Library of Queensland)
This stretch of the Brisbane River was the site of the former South Brisbane Coal Wharves, opened in 1884.
412 Vulture Street, South Brisbane
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View of South Brisbane Dry Dock, c. 1890 (State Library of Queensland)
Built using the best materials, including Helidon stone, the dry dock was officially opened in December 1881.
459 Stanley Street, South Brisbane
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South Brisbane Memorial Park, 1955 (Brisbane City Council)
Created in 1920 by the South Brisbane Municipal Council, the South Brisbane War Memorial Park honours those killed in World War I.
472 Vulture Street, South Brisbane
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Former South Brisbane Municipal Library, c. 1901 (State Library of Queensland)
The South Brisbane Post Office was constructed in 1881. By 1897, it had become the South Brisbane Municipal Library and Technical Institute. It was the first free municipal library in Queensland.
263 Vulture Street, South Brisbane
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South Brisbane Town Hall, c. 1892 (State Library of Queensland)
Built in 1891-1892, the South Brisbane Municipal Chambers were designed to reflect South Brisbane's prosperity in this era.
259 Vulture Street, South Brisbane
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Sketch of Somerville House by artist James Wieneke, c. 1934 (State Library of Queensland)
This grand masonry house was built in 1890 for the Stephens family. It replaced an older timber house that had been home to important South Brisbane resident, Thomas Blacket Stephens MLA.
271 Grey Street, South Brisbane
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House and Flats on Grey Street, South Brisbane, 1964 (Brisbane City Council)
This house was built in the 1890s when this part of Grey Street was characterised by a series of large houses on the rise of the hill. During Expo '88, it became the Collins Place Spaghetti House.
153 Stanley Street, South Brisbane
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Advertisement for Allan and Stark evening gowns, 1900 (State Library of Queensland)
Built as the Allan & Stark Drapery, this corner building was completed in 1885. After the devastating 1893 floods, the business was moved to Queen Street in Brisbane City. It became Queensland's foremost department store throughout the first half of the 20th Century.
153 Stanley Street, South Brisbane
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Plough Inn, South Brisbane, c. 1939 (State Library of Queensland)
There has been a hotel on this site since the early 1860s. The Plough Inn was rebuilt in the 1880s during South Brisbane's economic boom.
153 Stanley Street, South Brisbane
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Expo 88 Nepalese Peace Pagoda, 1988 (Queensland State Archives)
The Nepalese Peace Pagoda was part of the Nepalese exhibit for Expo '88. It showcased wood carving as a traditional Nepalese craft.
Pearl (ship), 1896 (State Library of Queensland)
On 13 February 1896, a disaster occurred on this reach of the Brisbane River. A passenger steamer capsized and passengers were thrown into the raging river. Many people lost their lives in the disaster.
2 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
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Victoria Bridge, South Brisbane, undated (Brisbane City Council)
These stone abutments are the remnants of the steel bridge opened in 1897. The original 1874 steel bridge was destroyed by the 1893 floods.
Pencil Sketch of Moreton Bay in 1831, undated (State Library of Queensland)
Several areas around the Moreton Bay penal settlement were chosen for agriculture, including New Farm, Kangaroo Point and South Brisbane. Land on this side of the river was cleared and corn planted.
Crowds gather for the opening of the Grey Street Bridge, 1932 (State Library of Queensland)
When first opened in 1932, the William Jolly Bridge was known as the Grey Street Bridge. It was built in response to the escalating traffic volumes across the Victoria Bridge.
48 Montague Road, South Brisbane
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Flood damage at the West End Brewery, 1893 (State Library of Queensland)
This hotel was originally called the Montague Hotel and was built in 1891. It was renamed the Coronation Hotel in 1953 after the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II.
54 Montague Road, South Brisbane
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Free school milk distribution at Newmarket State School, 1958 (Queensland State Archives)
This attractive building was completed in 1944 and designed by local architects, Conrad and Gargett. It was built as offices for Paul's Ice Cream and Milk Ltd.
20 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
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Lithograph of St Mary’s Catholic Church, South Brisbane, in The Queenslander, 1893 (State Library of Queensland)
This church was blessed and opened in 1893. From 1870, the Sisters of St Joseph, under the leadership of Mother Mary McKillop (Australia's first saint), taught at the parish school.
Corner of Melbourne and Merivale Streets, South Brisbane
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Cartoon representation of the Red Riot in Merivale Street, South Brisbane, 1919 (State Library of Queensland)
In March 1919, an angry mob of up to 8,000 people (mainly returned servicemen) marched across Victoria Bridge. They moved along Melbourne Street toward the Russian Hall in Merivale Street. Known as the 'Red Flag Riots', this was a dramatic event in Brisbane's history.
71 Melbourne Street, South Brisbane
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Exterior view of the Trocadero Dansant in Melbourne Street, South Brisbane, c. 1934 (State Library of Queensland)
Completed in 1927, the Hotel Terminus replaced an older hotel onsite. Next door to the hotel was one of Brisbane's most popular night spots - the Trocadero Dansant. The night spot was open from 1923 until after World War II.
133 Grey Street, South Brisbane
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Entrance to the Melbourne Street Railway Station, South Brisbane, 1906-1910 (State Library of Queensland)
This commanding railway station building was constructed in 1891. The design is an expression of South Brisbane's prominence in this era.
74 Stanley Street, South Brisbane
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American Soldiers in Brisbane, 1942-1945 (State Library of Queensland)
During World War II, this was the location of the Dr Carver Club - an American Red Cross Services Club that provided service to African American troops. The club became famous for its jazz club.
View of Victoria Bridge and Queensland Performing Arts Centre, 1984 (Brisbane City Council)
The Queensland Cultural Centre includes the Performing Arts Centre, Art Gallery, State Library, Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA). The first stage of the precinct was the Art Gallery, which was completed in 1982.
