visitor info guide to brisbane

Brisbane’s earliest surviving house dates from 1846 when it was built as a simple single storey dwelling for pastoralist Patrick Leslie who had pioneered settlement in the Darling Downs region.

The historic German cemetery started as a small burial ground in 1846 before being opening as a cemetery in 1862

In the 1880s this leafy green hollow was a sports field and venue for fashionable penny farthing races which attracted crowds in their hundreds.

A highly aesthetic sandstone and slate villa dating from 1864, Oakwal, still holds a commanding position in centre of the cul de sac that was once its surrounding estate.

This former school, whose pupils included offspring of the original white Valley settlers who arrived on the ship Fortitude in 1849, is one of the earliest existing ones in Queensland.

As the first major post-separation building erected in Brisbane, Old Government House, circa 1860-62, also wears the mantle of the only purpose-built Government House in Queensland.

This landmark building with its distinctive Byzantine style turrets was designed by GHM Addison and built in 1891 as Brisbane’s first Exhibition Building.

Built on the site of the 1860’s villa Cooltique Orana encompasses, at its rear, part of the old house.

In the first half of the 20th century a smattering of Russian orthodox churches sprung up around the Brisbane region to cater for immigrants.

One of Brisbane’s few remaining interwar tramway substations and one of its most prominent.

It is perhaps this landmark flamboyant house designed by Italian architect Andrea Stombuco that symbolizes what was Brisbane’s Belle Epoch.

Queensland’s seat of government since 1869, the wing of Parliament House facing George St was designed by Colonial architect Charles Tiffin and constructed between 1865-67.

Significant not just for its iconic Queensland style of multi storey wrap around cast iron verandahs, the People’s Palace is also a rare example of a purpose built temperance hotel.

This tiny timber place of worship sits nestled amongst a grove of towering gums on the edge of Simpsons Rd.

Of all Brisbane’s war memorials this rough hewn tuff seat, shaded under a jacaranda tree is a particularly beautiful and unusual one.

Several layers of history permeate the site and buildings of this landmark complex on the city fringe, beginning with the establishment, back in 1860 of the first major purpose built gaol for free settlers.