Vibrant Valley Heritage Trail

The Vibrant Valley Heritage Trail takes you on a journey through history that highlights important historical sites and events that have shaped Fortitude Valley over time.

The Valley has long been associated with Brisbane's darker side, but there is more to the story. The trail reveals:

the Valley's rise as a commercial and retail centre in the late nineteenth century
important contributions by the Chinese community
emergence of the Valley as the centre for Brisbane's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community
the famous Fitzgerald Inquiry era.

You can download:

Vibrant Valley Heritage Trail map and table

There are 20 points of interest along the Vibrant Valley Heritage Trail. The trail begins at the former Post Office on Ann Street, then passes Chinatown Mall to Centenary Place and continues down to Wickham Street. From Wickham Street, walk along the western section of Brunswick Street, back to Wickham Street and end the walk in Warner Street.

For more information, download the Vibrant Valley Heritage Trial brochure.

Use the Google map and information boxes to navigate the heritage trail, or alternatively use the heritage trail table which includes the point of interest number, name, address and description.

View Fortitude Valley Heritage Trail in a larger map.

Vibrant Valley Heritage Trail table including point of interest number, name, address and description.
Number	Name	Address	Description
1.	Fortitude Valley Post Office	740 Ann Street	The Fortitude Valley Post Office was built in 1887 when the Valley was prospering. The ground floor provided postal and telegraph services and the upper floor was where the postmaster and his family lived.
2.	Shannon’s Building and Winn Street Warehouse, Tyrrell’s Building	717 and 697 Ann Street	This two-storey set of brick shops was built in 1924 when the Valley was a bustling hub of commercial activity. Behind the Shannon’s Building is the Winn Street warehouse that was constructed at the same time.
3.	The Beat	677 Ann Street	In the 1980s this building was converted into a nightclub called the ‘Cockatoo Club’. The name was changed shortly after to ‘The Beat’ and became one of Brisbane’s favourite gay clubs.
4 & 5	Bragg's Bakery and Apothecaries Hall	694 and 690 Ann Street	Both these buildings were built in the 1880s and replaced earlier buildings. They reflect the commercial growth in the Valley during the economic boom.
6.	The Empire Hotel	339 Brunswick Street	This ornately decorated hotel was built in 1888 and designed by renowned colonial architect, Richard Gailey.
7.	Chinatown Mall and TC Beirne Department Store	28 Duncan Street	Brisbane’s Chinatown was officially opened in 1987. The large, decorative building on the north side of the mall was the TC Beirne Department Store that was built in 1902 and had its frontage to Brunswick Street.
8.	All Hallows' Convent and School	547 Ann Street	This girls’ school was originally founded on this site in 1863 by the Sisters of Mercy, under the direction of Queensland’s first Catholic bishop, James Quinn.
9.	Holy Name Cathedral site	586 Ann Street	The ornate wall is the only remnant left of the ill-fated Holy Name Cathedral that was intended to be the largest Catholic cathedral in the southern hemisphere. Work began in 1928 but was never finished due to the Great Depression.
10.	Centenary Place	85 Wickham Street	Centenary Place was created in 1925 to commemorate Queensland’s centenary of European settlement.
11.	Interwar commercial precinct	126-144 Wickham Street	This row of shops was constructed in the 1920s after the roads around Centenary Place were reconfigured.
12.	Swift's Building	201 Wickham Street	Built in 1905, this building holds a prominent position on the intersection once known as the ‘Valley Corner’.
13.	The Prince Consort Hotel	230 Wickham Street	When first opened in 1888, the hotel offered 28 bedrooms, 3 parlours, billiard room, dining room and a very large bar.
14.	Foresters' Hall	211 Brunswick Street	Foresters and other Friendly societies were formed in Australia in the 19th century as support societies for their mainly working-class members. This hall was built in 1889.
15.	Valley Fiveways Building	187 Brunswick Street	This 1928 brick building became associated with a notorious episode in Queensland’s recent history – the Fitzgerald Inquiry.
16.	Site of the 'Whiskey Au Go Go' bombing	356 St Pauls Terrace	This was the site of one of Australia’s worst mass murders after the club was set alight on the night of the 8 March 1973. Fifteen people were killed.
17.	The Maternal and Child Welfare Clinic	112 Alfred Street	Also known as the Fortitude Valley Baby Clinic and Nurse Training Centre, it was built in 1923-24.
18.	McWhirter’s Department Store	247 Wickham Street	This striking Art Deco landmark was originally the famous McWhirter’s Department Store that was first established 1898.
19.	Overell’s Department Store	250 Wickham Street	By 1910 the Overell Department Store, with frontage to Brunswick Street, boasted 20 departments. This same year Overell built a second store with Wickham Street frontage. The Wickham Street store was devoted to men’s clothing, while the Brunswick Street store sold women’s apparel and accessories.
20.	Valley Presbyterian Church and School	25 Warner Street	The church was designed by Richard Gailey and constructed in 1885. Beside the church is the 1906 Sunday School, where the congregation’s children were given religious education.

Last updated: 11 September 2023

Topics: heritage trail fortitude valley