Brisbane

:This article is about the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For other uses see Brisbane (disambiguation)

Landmarks

Brisbane is home to many traditional and modern landmarks. Here are some of the most notable:

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• Story Bridge — A cantilever bridge connecting Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Constructed, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as a public works program during the Great Depression, The bridge is the home of the River Festival and is lit up at night. Bridge climbs are becoming a major tourist attraction.
• 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. Still the working headquarters of municipal government, the City Hall houses a museum of Brisbane history and opens its main towers to tourists during the day.
• Queensland Parliament House, in George Street, Brisbane, is the site of Queensland State Parliament. It was built in the 1880s during colonial times.
• 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, Sir George Ferguson, and is located in the grounds of Queensland University of Technology. Government House, Queensland is now located in the Brisbane suburb of Bardon.
• The Mansions — was built during colonial times in 1889. "The Mansions", which was the home of Queensland's first woman doctor, is of the same vintage as the Queensland Parliament House building, and is located in the same vicinity.
• 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. Customs House is within easy reach of the CityCat catamaran ferry service. There is a restaurant within the building, and concerts are also held there.
• The Windmill — was built by convicts for grinding wheat during the 1820s. It is Brisbane's oldest building.
• General Post Office Building — was also built during the 1800s.
• 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.
• 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 refurbishment was designed by a local architect from Conrad & Gargett.
• The 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Queensland Museum — Brisbane is home of the Queensland Museum which is part of the Queensland Cultural Centre. The Museum was previously at the Exhibition Hall building, which was originally part of the Brisbane Exhibition. When the Queensland Museum moved to its present location at the South Bank Parklands, the Exhibition Hall became the home of the Queensland Youth Orchestra.
• AMP Place — Brisbane's first 'true' skyscraper at 130 m was built in 1978.
• Riparian Plaza — Brisbane's tallest building.
• Central Plaza 1 & 2 — Constructed in 1988 and designed by Japanese architect Kisho Kurokawa,it is modelled on a split shard of crystal.
• Riverside Centre — A modern, heritage-listed building which hosts weekend markets and is also the location of several well-known restaurants, as well as the Brisbane Stock Exchange. Designed by Harry Seidler in 1986.
• 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.

See also Brisbane heritage

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