European Colonization

Guided by ex-convicts who had been living with a group of Aborigines after a shipwreck, surveyor General John Oxley found a large river in 1824, suitable for the establishment of a new penal colony.

The red cliffs (Redcliffe) north of the river were the original preferred site, but were abandoned less than a year later for a site further up the river that had a more reliable water supply, and because its position made escape more difficult.

The gaol was established to take the toughest prisoners from the prison in Sydney and was governed by Captain Patrick Logan, a commandant with a harsh reputation of cruel treatment towards the convicts.

In 1828 a windmill was built by the convicts. Driven by a treadmill, the windmill was useful for grinding corn and was used for mass punishment. Mounting pressure on decision makers led to the cessation of the flow of convicts from England, and to the Moreton Bay area being open to free settlers from 1842.

Brisbane grew steadily with a colourful mix of shanties, slab huts and grand homes being erected along the river and by 1859, became the capital of the self-governing colony of 6000. Grand homes built in a growing economy boosted by a boom in migration, eradicated most of the evidence of the convict occupation by 1888.

When Queensland became a state of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901, it was the fastest growing state in the new nation, with Brisbane as its economic hub, and the river a hive of maritime activity.

The hills and ridges close to the city were often developed quickly by wealthier landowners looking for cooling breezes and taking advantage of the views. Much of the swampier land to the north of the city was difficult to cross and was not suitable for development for many years until the area was drained to construct the Brisbane Airport, leaving the Boondall wetlands as a reminder of the natural landscape.

The amalgamation of 2 city administrations, 10 shires and 6 other authorities, resulted in the formation of the Brisbane City Council in 1924.

Just as the Great Depression took hold early in the 1930’s, landmark buildings like City Hall, the Masonic Temple and the Story Bridge were built, but did little to alleviate the high unemployment and widespread poverty.

Thousands of troops from Australia, Britain and America were stationed in Brisbane during World War 2, putting a massive strain on city services. Tensions rose between the visiting and local servicemen, culminating in a famous street fight remembered as the ‘Battle of Brisbane’ in 1942.

The threat of attack by the Japanese transformed many parts of the city into military camps and major buildings were used as headquarters by visiting military heads.

After the war Brisbane flourished with increased work on services and roads to cater for the flourishing population. The suburbs grew steadily as people were able to afford motor vehicles and relied less on public transport.

The flood caused by Cyclone Wanda in 1974 caused 14,000 homes to be evacuated and all air, road and rail communication was cut in the heaviest rainfall for 100 years.

The city quickly recovered and went from strength to strength, hosting major world events, the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the World Expo in 1988. The events helped to create a new identity for Brisbane, with the addition of new cultural and sporting facilities.