Goodwill Bridge

The Goodwill Bridge is a footbridge which links the South Bank Parklands on the southside of the Brisbane River, to the Gardens Point Campus of the Queensland University of Technology on the northside. Opened on the 21st October, 2001, the Goodwill Bridge was named after the Goodwill Games which had been held in Brisbane that same year. The bridge only carries pedestrians and cyclists although it is used for fireworks during the annual Riverfire festival. It is estimated that more than 3 million people cross the bridge each year.

Construction was coordinated by Arup services to a design by Cox Rayner and construction by John Holland. The total cost was over $20 million. The total length is approximately 460 metres long, and just over 6 metres wide. There are two main components: the arch, which is closer to the southern side of the bridge; and the pavillion, which is on the city side and holds a river viewing deck. The bridge is the same height from the water as the nearby Captain Cook and Victoria Bridges, to cater for CityCats passing underneath.

The Goodwill Bridge did attract a certain amount of controversy during construction and when it first opened. It was subject to quite significant budgetary costs, as well as having many critics of its unorthodox design. It definitely isn't your straight and narrow bridge! It does, however, remain an excellent way to get from the City to Southbank from the Botanic Gardens. I think its brilliant, and have incorporated it into my occasional jogs around the city.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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Old Government House

Old Government House is located on theQueensland University of Technology Gardens Point campus at 2 George Street. If you travel down the pathway beside the campus as you come from George Street, you will hit this heritage building, opposite the Gardens Theatre. Old Government House was the official residence of the Governors of Queensland from 1862-1909. Since that time the house has been occupied by the University of Queensland, the National Trust and the Queensland Institute of Technology.

Old Government House was the first major building constructed by the Queensland Government. It was built from 1860-1862 at a cost of £12,000-£17,000 and designed by the Colonial Architect Charles Tiffin. This classical revival style residence was home to eleven of Queensland's Governors. In 1910, the then Governor Sir William MacGregor moved to Fernberg, which would become the current Government House. At that time it was handed over by the Government to form the nucleus of Queensland’s first university.

Guided tours of the house are available on request between 10.00am and 4.00pm Monday to Friday. Online you can do a Self Guided Tour or a Virtual Tour, but nothing beats going there in person. I personally like the relaxed feel of the courtyard, but the main rooms are also architecturally splendid. I bet that most of the students who go to QUT don't recognise the historical significance of the building on their great campus.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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QUT Gardens Theatre

The Queensland University of Technology Gardens Point campus is located on the Brisbane River in the Central Business District, next to the Botanic Gardens and Parliament House. If you travel down the pathway beside the campus as you come from George Street, you will hit the Gardens Theatre. Gardens Theatre is one of the premiere Brisbane venues for theatre and live performance, featuring professional theatre, comedy, children's theatre and student showcases. The foyer features panoramic views of the City Botanic Gardens, a sprung floor studio and a courtyard atrium in open surrounds. The venue accommodates around 400 people. The theatre is part of QUT's cultural precinct.

The theatre was formerly known as the Basil Jones Theatre, and was renovated with assistance from the Queensland Government. It was reopened as the Gardens Theatre in 1999. Since then, every year the theatre offers professional theatre seasons with a range of well known plays presented, often starring well known Australian and international actors.


I've been asked before what kind of theatres Brisbane has, and my immediate reaction had been to mention the Lyric Theatre, which is part of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre. As I've wandered around the city, I've found other locations for performance, like the Gardens Theatre, where you can go and get your theatre fix. The great thing about this theatre is that not only will you get professional plays, you also have a venue for up and coming performances which you don't necessarily get elsewhere.

Cheers, I Love Brisbane, Wes.

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