Petrie Terrace Heritage Trail
Potter around Petrie Terrace on this self-guided heritage trail. Download the guide to learn more about the area’s history.
About the Petrie Terrace Heritage Trail
Learn about one of Brisbane's oldest suburbs on the Petrie Terrace Heritage Trail.
The trail features sites and events that explore:
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Aboriginal history
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the impact of the Great Depression and suburban overcrowding
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notable landmarks such as Lang Park, The Normanby Hotel and La Boite Theatre.
Petrie Terrace Heritage Trail map
There are 18 points of interest on the 2.7-kilometre trail.
Start your journey at the iconic Suncorp Stadium (part of Lang Park). Pass notable Brisbane landmarks, including the Ithaca Playground and Victoria Barracks, before concluding your walk at Petrie Terrace Police Barracks.
For addresses of all trail stops and suggested route between stops, download the trail guide.
Points of interest
View over Paddington Cemetery towards Milton, c. 1870 (State Library of Queensland)
The area that is now part of Suncorp Stadium (formerly known as Lang Park) was originally the site of the North Brisbane Burial Ground.
Children’s Playground at Ithaca, 1918 (State Library of Queensland)
This playground was established in 1918 to provide poor children with recreational facilities.
Petrie Terrace, c. 1902 (State Library of Queensland)
These are fine examples of Brisbane’s 19th Century terrace houses.
Architectural Drawing of the Normanby Hotel, 1890 (State Library of Queensland)
Built in 1890, the Normanby Hotel is one of Brisbane’s landmarks.
Drawing of Petrie Terrace, 1881 (State Library of Queensland)
The ridge along Petrie Terrace was an important meeting place for visiting groups from different parts of South East Queensland when inter-tribal gatherings took place.
Hardgrave Park, Petrie Terrace, 1949 (Brisbane City Council)
This park is the earliest gazetted park reserve in Brisbane.
Looking towards Petrie Terrace, c. 1878 (State Library of Queensland)
Originally called Costin’s Cottages, these terraces were built in 1863. They are some of the earliest surviving terrace houses in Brisbane.
Aerial photograph of Petrie Terrace, 1946 (Brisbane City Council)
Built in 1936, the unique set of flats incorporates a popular interwar architectural styles, including Old English and Mediterranean.
About this stop
In the 1870s, the lower areas of Petrie Terrace raised concerns amongst the community. Crowded conditions and poor drainage were thought to be causing disease.
Auction sale advertisement, Petrie Terrace, 1883 (State Library of Queensland)
Cottages along Menzies Street were built on very small portions of land, and are a reflection of the crowded conditions on the hill in the late 1800s.
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Military Barracks, Petrie Terrace, Brisbane, State Library of Queensland, Negative Number 146231
Victoria Barracks was established in 1864. The designs for the first buildings on the site were sent from the War Office in London.
Brisbane Gaol, 1868 (State Library of Queensland)
Located on the rise of the hill, Queensland’s second purpose-built prison was built between 1858 and 59.
Prince Alfred Hotel, c. 1929 (State Library of Queensland)
This hotel was designed by one of Brisbane’s most important architects, Richard Gailey, in 1881.
Caxton Street, Petrie Terrace, 1950s (Brisbane City Council)
Known as the Oddfellows Hall, this was built in 1891. It's another example of architect Richard Gailey’s work.
Newspaper clipping on "The Larrikin Outbreak", in The Melbourne Punch, 27 February 1896 (National Library of Australia)
The ‘larrikin’ emerged in Brisbane in the late 19th Century and groups of them caused havoc in Petrie Terrace.
About this stop
The Brisbane Repertory Theatre Society (now the La Boite Theatre Group) built the ‘theatre in the round’ in 1972. It was Australia’s first purpose-built arena theatre.
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Courier Mail, Friday 26 December 1947
A terrible tragedy took place at J. Jackson & Co., a long-established produce and seed merchant, in 1947.
About this stop
Building of the impressive brick barracks building was completed by 1939, and the original 1912 brick stables were retained. The building and the brick stables have been carefully restored.
