Brisbane is home to many traditional and modern landmarks. Here are some of the most notable:
Brisbane CBD and South Bank
The WindmillAMP Place — Brisbane's first 'true' skyscraper at 130 m was built in 1978.
Brisbane City Hall — The Brisbane City Hall, with its imposing clock tower, was the most expensive building in Australia until the completion of the Sydney Opera House in 1971. The City Hall houses the office of the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, the Council's chambers and a Museum of Brisbane history and opens its main towers to tourists during the day.
Brisbane Stock Exchange — Designed by Harry Seidler in 1986.
Customs House — in Queen Street, was originally used for the collection of Customs duty. The building, which dates back to colonial times, is now owned by the University of Queensland.
General Post Office Building — was also built during the 1800s.
Law Courts Complex — Close to the State Law Building, the Law Courts Complex is home to the Queensland Supreme Court and the Queensland District Court.
The Mansions — built during colonial times in 1889, it was the home of Queensland's first woman doctor. The building is of the same vintage as the Queensland Parliament House building, and is located in the same vicinity.
Old Government House, Queensland — the first Government House was built during the late 1820s and early 1830s. It was home for the first Governor of Queensland.
The old State Library Building, Brisbane, in William Street, Brisbane — former home of the State Library of Queensland
The old Treasury Building — For 70 years the seat of power for the Queensland Government Treasury, this Edwardian sandstone building at the top of the George Street government precinct is now the Conrad Treasury Casino.
Queensland Museum — part of the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank.
Queensland Parliament House, in George Street, Brisbane, is the site of Queensland State Parliament. It was built in the 1880s during colonial times.
Riverside Centre — A modern, heritage-listed building which hosts weekend markets and is also the location of several well-known restaurants.
State Law Building — With its post-modern design, the State Law Building is known locally as "Gotham Tower" (see Gotham City) or the "Batman Building" because of its distinctive top.
The Windmill — was built by convicts for grinding wheat during the 1820s. It is Brisbane's oldest building.
The Skyneedle — Originally built for World Expo 88, the Skyneedle stands 88m from the ground and during special events beams light skywards with a visibility of more than 60 km.
Brisbane suburban landmarks
Brisbane Exhibition Ground — Operated by the RNA (Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland), the showgrounds are home to the annual Royal Queensland Show, better known as the Ekka, which attracts more than 600,000 visitors every year.
Brisbane Tramway Museum — which displays examples of Brisbane's former public transport vehicles and associated remnants of the tram system.
Government House, Queensland — located in the Brisbane suburb of Bardon.
Old Museum, in the Brisbane suburb of Bowen Hills — former home of the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Youth Orchestras.
Newstead House — Built for Queensland's first Governor on the Breakfast Creek bank of the Brisbane River, Newstead House has been the elegant private home of an army captain, a slave trader, an opera singer and a newspaper baron, and is now open to the public. |
