By Tim Lambert
19th Century Brisbane
In 1823 the government of New South Wales was hoping to found a new prison colony to remove the worst of the convicts from the Sydney area. They sent the Surveyor-General John Oxley (c. 1785-1828) with a ship to explore the coast.
When he sailed into Moreton Bay Oxley came across 2 convicts who had been shipwrecked some months previously. Fortunately, the local Indigenous Australians were friendly and they helped the two Europeans. The 2 convicts showed Oxley a previously unknown river.
He named it Brisbane after the Governor of New South Wales then, a Scot named Thomas Brisbane (1773-1860). (Thomas Brisbane was governor of New South Wales from 1821 to 1825).
In 1824 the government founded a prison colony by red cliffs north of the river. However, in 1825 the prison was moved to the site of modern Brisbane. The Old Windmill was built in 1828 and convicts built parts of the Commissariat Store in 1829.
However, in the following years, settlers continued to flock to Australia and there was increasing pressure to allow them to live in Brisbane. So in 1842, the region was opened to free settlers. Soon a flourishing community grew up in Brisbane.
The oldest house in Brisbane is Newstead House, which was built in 1846. It was built for a man named Patrick Leslie (1815-1881) although in 1847 he sold it to John Wickham. Newstead House then served as an unofficial government house.
In 1859 Queensland was made a state. Brisbane was made the capital. The city grew rapidly and many historic buildings were erected. Old Government House was built in 1862 and Parliament House was ready in 1869. Meanwhile, the Queensland Museum was founded in 1862. From 1865 Brisbane was lit by gas. Bowen Park opened in 1867.
The Cathedral of St Stephen was dedicated in 1874. Customs House in Brisbane was built in 1889.
The first railway station in Brisbane was Roma Street Station, which opened in 1876. From 1885 horse-drawn trams ran in the streets of Brisbane. After 1897 they were replaced by electric trams, which ran until 1969. However, in 1893 Brisbane suffered disastrous floods.
20th Century Brisbane
By 1900 the population of Brisbane was about 130,000 and continued to grow rapidly. However, in 1900 there was an outbreak of bubonic plague in Brisbane.
The University of Queensland was founded in Brisbane in 1909. The first students were admitted in 1911. Brisbane Arcade opened in 1923. City Hall in Brisbane was built in 1930. Petrie Tableau, a metal sculpture by Stephen Walker was added in 1988. Meanwhile, Brisbane Airport opened in 1926. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opened in 1927. Story Bridge opened in 1940. It was designed by Dr John Bradfield.
On 26 and 27 November 1942 fighting broke out between American and Australian troops in Brisbane. One Australian was killed and it became known as the Battle of Brisbane.
After the Second World War Brisbane flourished. St Andrews War Memorial Hospital was established in 1958.
Griffith University was founded in Brisbane in 1971. The first students were admitted in 1975. (The university is named after Sir Samuel Walker Griffith 1845-1920). Also in 1971, the Queensland Maritime Museum was founded. Botanic Gardens opened in 1976. Brisbane Planetarium opened in 1978.
However, in 1931 Brisbane again suffered from floods. Brisbane suffered more flooding in 1974.
Meanwhile, on 8 March 1973, 15 people were killed in Brisbane in an arson attack. Two drums of diesel oil were placed in the Whisky Au Go Go Club and ignited.
On a happier note, Alma Park Zoo in Brisbane dates from 1973. Furthermore, Brisbane hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1982 and the Expo in 1988.
In recent years landmark buildings have been erected in Brisbane. They include Riverside Centre, built in 1986, and Waterfront Place, built in 1989. Meanwhile, the Myer Centre was built in 1988. Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre opened in 1995.
21st Century Brisbane
Brisbane Museum opened in City Hall in 2003. Riparian Plaza followed in 2005. The Aurora Tower was built in Brisbane in 2006. It is 207 metres tall and contains 69 storeys. At present, the Aurora Tower is the tallest building in Brisbane. Also in 2006, The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art opened.
Then in 2008, Brisbane Wheel opened. The Gateway Bridge was built in Brisbane in 1986 but a duplicate bridge was built in 2010. The two bridges were renamed Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges.
However in 2011 floods again struck Brisbane. Thousands of homes were flooded.
Today Brisbane is the third-largest city in Australia. It’s a flourishing city with many tourist attractions around the city and in the surrounding area. Furthermore, Brisbane is an important port, exporting wool, wheat, and fruit. In 2020 the population of Brisbane was 2.3 million.
A Timeline of Brisbane
1823 John Oxley sails to the area and names the River Brisbane after the Governor of New South Wales
1824 A prison colony is founded north of the river
1825 The prison is moved to the site of modern Brisbane
1828 The Old Windmill is built
1842 The region is opened to free settlers
1846 Newstead House is built
1859 Queensland is made a state
1862 Old Government House is built
1865 Brisbane is lit by gas
1867 Bowen Park opens
1874 The Cathedral of St Stephen is dedicated
1876 Roma Street Railway Station opens
1885 Horse drawn trams run in the streets of Brisbane
1889 Customs House is built
1893 Brisbane suffers severe floods
1901 The population of Brisbane is about 130,000. Bubonic plague breaks out.
1909 The University of Queensland is founded
1911 The first students are admitted
1923 Brisbane Arcade opens
1926 Brisbane Airport opens
1927 Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary opens
1930 City Hall is built
1931 Brisbane suffers severe floods
1940 Story Bridge opens
1942 The Battle of Brisbane takes place
1958 St Andrews War Memorial Hospital is built
1969 Trams in Brisbane stop running
1971 Griffith University is founded. Queensland Maritime Museum is founded.
1973 Alma Park Zoo opens
1974 Brisbane suffers more floods
1976 Botanic Gardens opens
1978 Brisbane Planetarium opens
1982 Brisbane hosts the Commonwealth Games
1986 Riverside Centre is built. Gateway Bridge opens.
1988 Brisbane hosts the Expo. The Myer Centre is built.
1989 Waterfront Place is built
1995 Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre opens
2003 Brisbane Museum opens in City Hall
2005 Riparian Plaza is built
2006 The Aurora Tower is built. The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art opens.
2008 Brisbane Wheel opens
2011 Brisbane suffers more floods