Mon, 24th Feb, 2025 Meriton Suites, Brisbane City, Qld (exploring Brisbane & David’s birthday)

We have the windows open so woke to construction noises on the high-rise across the road.

Had breakfast in our room then an early cuppa. Down to the Lobby to join with Leanne & Rick. Across to the railway station to catch a train to Indooroopilly. Leanne booked a Brisbane Greeters tour of the Walter Taylor Bridge for us - she had done it before but Rick hadn’t.

Met our Greeter, Margaret, in the park near the train station. The tour now includes a visit into the old jail cells of the Witton Barracks here. The Council bought the buildings and land which they made into a park and fixed up the cells etc as a tourist attraction. They have also made some of the cells into rental spaces so they can get a return as well. This wasn’t available on Leanne’s first tour so she has something new to see as well. Margaret explained that this area was used to interrogate Japanese prisoners of war during WW2. There was an interred Australian with Japanese heritage who was held in the internment camp on the other side of the river and each day he would be escorted across to be the translator. Apparently a lot of the Japanese captured were very happy to share their information so they learnt a lot about the Z Plan. There was two old homes here they were taken over too, Witton Manor (first house in Indooroopilly, 1861) has gone and the other is now a home but hidden by trees so hard to see. It has a Scottish name - Tighnabruaich - glad she knew how to pronounce it.

The Quarter Hall has been renovated a lot - it was falling down she said but is a great place now for meetings etc.

The cell block buildings are intact. We went into the Cell 01. The cell doors open together but have been locked open now. They have added glass doors past the old cell doors so they can be locked by those who rent them. Steve posed behind the door for the warden’s room. The Military Police then used it for many years. Very interesting to learn its secrets.

Through the other two cells and onto a path to check out 4 bridges over the Brisbane River. We are heading across to check out the ‘home’ inside the bridge end.

A new walking/cycling pathway has been created that goes under the bridges to help school children travel to school etc. It connects with the dedicated cycling bridge that joins Indooroopilly to Chelmer on the other side of the river. We have permission to walk over it but had to watch out for cyclists who apparently get a bit upset with the Greeters for being on the bridge! They put a plaque up very high about the chap who was instrumental in getting this bridge built.

As we walked across a cyclist went along the new pathway. Lots of pontoons for the homes on the other side.

Margaret then told us of the rail bridge’s first bridge that had a few piers which washed away in a flood in 1893. The engineer noted that problem of having too many piers so designed this one with only one in the middle. It is now called the Albert Bridge and was built 1894/5 and was named after Prince Albert. The newer bridge was built between 1955-57 and has one pier too and they are both referred to as the Albert Railway Bridges.

Across to the other side, a road runs underneath us here. Those sandstone structures have been standing there a long time.

Down the path to the road then along the footpath under the bridge. Rail maintenance at the moment on the other bridge.

The Indooroopilly Bridge was built by Walter Taylor to replace the vehicle ferry operating here. It was the only habitable bridge in the Southern Hemisphere. Construction started in 1930 and it was opened in 1936 as a toll bridge till 1965. It was renamed the Walter Taylor Bridge in 1956 in his honour but sadly he had died in 1955. It was the longest suspension bridge in Australia when it opened. The thick wires came from leftovers from the Sydney Opera House construction. Walter knew it had to pay for itself hence the toll but also decided it would be good to create living spaces so the toll keeper and maintenance people could live on site - very forward thinking. This side (Chelmer) was always a nice park area so they put in an open area at the bottom as a kiosk and ballroom. Hopefully this side will be opened to inspection some time in the future too. George & Grace McDougall lived here as toll-keepers. Then the rooms were rented out. One of Margaret’s friends rented one when she was a Uni student.

Around then up to the pedestrian walkway of the Walter Taylor Bridge. Now there is a handrail separating us from the traffic, back then there was nothing but of course the cars were probably going slower as they had to pay a toll on the Indooroopilly side. Also the little arches were all open like the vehicle side - this side is closed in now.

Those wire ropes have been there a long while - built well back then.

Looking across to the new walk/cycle way along the edge of the river.

Lots of bolts holding it together.

Halfway across - Indooroopilly side then back to Chelmer side. What an interesting living arrangement.

Around to the front door and a history plaque. Margaret said we are standing on lots of gold here. Apparently when they were clearing the area to put in the wire supports they discovered a gold seam but realised if it was dug up it would upset all the foundations. Walter applied for a mining lease over the area so no one could dig it up. Now that’s a great story.

Inside Margaret told us some more history of the original toll-master Morton John Green and his family that lived here for 70 years through three successive generations till 2009. One son, Ronald Morton Green, was living on the Chelmer side then moved across to the Indooroopilly side with his wife and six children in 1965. He took over the toll master job when his father retired. George & Grace McDougall then lived on the Chelmer side (she was an in-law relation of Morton).

A sketch of the proposed bridge.

Up the stairs - view from the little windows.

Morton Green, was an amateur photographer and had his dark room under the stairs here.

Up the next set of stairs to the kitchen and bedrooms. They had power, toilet and shower. A newer kitchen has been installed but there are a few photos showing the kitchens of the ‘homes' in the earlier days. Very high ceilings.

Margaret put on a short documentary video showing George & Grace McDougall living in the residence on the Chelmer side of the bridge. Then she put on a longer one about the construction of the bridge so we watched it for a bit while we chatted (it had no sound). Got a photo of the toll station.

Along the hall way were photos of father and son Green. As the photos are courtesy of the Green family maybe these were taken by Morton.

We stepped out onto the verandah - what a view.

Margaret said a drunk Uni student, probably on a dare, climbed up and tried to walk along the wires but got stuck and had to be rescued by the fire department. Now they have the ladder locked.

Back inside to the two bedrooms (low walls between, probably to help with air circulation) where there are some great photos showing the construction of the bridge and Morton & Reta Green on the balcony etc. I noticed there is three lanes of traffic then, only two lanes now and no barricade for the pedestrian traffic!

This one shows the vehicle ferry that operated here from the 1870s to the 1930s.

Looking towards the Indooroopilly side.

The next room has the walls to the ceiling again. Not sure if this is the main bedroom or they all shared the two bedrooms we just saw - bit cosy for 2 adults and 6 children.

A few more photos - steam rollers on the bridge and the pier for the second rail bridge.

Down the first flight of stairs - maybe their lounge! There was a book on the table and we found a photo of the Scottish named place, Tighnabruaich.

One more set of stairs to the laundry which has a shower now too. Some other items on display too. These are the big rolls of wire that is holding up the suspension bridge. They were left over from the Sydney Opera House so they were then purchased to use here and are still holding on well.

Lastly is the info about the toll fees and coins.

Outside again on the other side of the road. Very interesting history and it is so great to have a free guided tour too.

We thanked Margaret as her car was parked here. Leanne and Rick continued down the road to get back to the train station. We went across the road to new walk/bike way to check out the signs I noticed on it. Great idea to get the bikes up and down the original steps.

First sign is about the old ferry crossing here. You can still see the concrete ramps the ferry landed on.

Walked down to the next one but it was blank! View further around the bend from here.

Back along the walkway under the bridges.

The next plaques is about all the bridges here.

Up to where we started then back to the railway station. Found Leanne & Rick and then boarded the next train back to Roma Street. Thanked Leanne for organising the tour for us. The railway network is getting a big overhaul - getting ready for the Olympics here in 2032. Bit of history and old photo as we headed back to the street.

View across to our very high ‘home’. Holiday accommodation goes to 24^th floor then it is residential up to the penthouse on the 74^th floor!

Stopped at the Transcontinental Hotel (open today) for lunch. Very nice. Then back to our rooms to rest our weary feet. Leanne & I went for a swim and spa again. Steve found a rerun of the Supercar racing at Sydney so got to see the highlights of all three races so he was happy.

Down to the Lobby to meet Leanne as we need their card to get to their room on the 20^th floor. Enjoyed the view while we had our drinks. The new building though has cut out a lot of the view!

Back downstairs then along to the ferry again for the ‘long’ ride across to Southbank to find somewhere for dinner. Another view of the Casino.

Walked past the Big Wheel and along through the gardens which we have explored on a previous visit. A big of artwork outside one of the many restaurants. There is some many choices of cuisine from all over the world. We decided on a Thai/asian place, MaPaMe. The lamb was divine so I deemed it worthy of a photo and the rest was delicious too.

We were very full so were glad of a walk after it. Pretty lights as we headed towards the railway station.

Leanne detoured us in the Emporium Hotel first as she has stayed here before and they have any amazing treat in the lift. It was like being in an aquarium with a shark swimming under and around us then he smashed into the glass. It then showed a crack in the glass and water leaking in then the shark hit again making it bigger and more water then we reached our floor! It was amazing. The other one is a wildlife one but she said this is the better one.

Checked out the Infinity Pool then into the bar/restaurant and admired the view from the open verandah. Long way down from the 21^st floor.

Back into the lift for another ride with the shark. Should have gone back up to get a selfie one with me and Steve!

Along to the train station then back across the river to Roma Street and short walk back to the our rooms. A lovely day and evening.

Unfortunately there is jackhammering happening on the sidewalk which went on till 10pm then things quietened down.