Snap your way through Brisbane's art scene on this inspiring tour
By Ashleigh Howarth
It’s a glorious sunny afternoon in Brisbane when I arrive in the CBD gently cradling my brand-new camera, eager to test out my lens alongside other budding snappers from a local photography group.
I’ve always had a passion for taking pictures, so it was nice to meet people with the same interest from a local group called Brisbane – Through the Lens, which I discovered on the Meetup app.
I was joining them for their Golden Hour Art Trail Walk, a 1.8km adventure which is a come-one-come-all affair for anyone keen to learn - young or old, local or visitor, total newbie or camera-obsessed pro.
Our muse? A plethora of artwork by Australian and international artists which can easily be found scattered throughout the city, if you know where to look.
If you’re like me and usually rushing to get from Point A to Point B or are someone who wants to delve deeper into Brisbane’s rich history, you will thoroughly enjoy this journey. It encourages you to slow down and fully appreciate the everyday streetscape like the many colourful murals, incredible sculptures, aging bronze statues, decorated signal boxes, historic architecture and hidden laneways.
After meeting our guide and other group members, many of whom are also attending for the first time, we are soon on our way, cameras at the ready.
My SD card begins to fill up quickly as the familiar landmarks on Tank and George Streets reveal themselves to me in ways I had never seen before. Places I had previously glanced at or ignored now had my full attention, like the 213 enamel-painted stainless-steel eyes gazing skywards near the Brisbane Magistrates Court, which made me wonder who was looking at who.
My eyes are also fixated on the number of heritage buildings that stand tall and proud surrounded by the steel frames of the city’s new high-rises, with my camera constantly zooming in to capture the weathered brickwork, arched windows, plus the gables and iron door knockers which have stood the test of time so far, and which I hope always will.
Just a few short steps away, the 2,500 aluminium panels which make up the bottom façade of 300 George Street shimmer as the sun begins to set in the west behind it, and across the road, four life-size kangaroos made from recycled scrap metal are a reminder that native wildlife still has a place in urban spaces.
On any other day, I would have grabbed a quick photo without even stopping, but on this day, I found myself kneeling and laying on the pavement to ensure I get the right angle, which was of some amusement to the people that walked past me.
After brushing off my shirt, it was then off to Brisbane Square and Reddacliff Place, which offers million-dollar views looking over towards Southbank. As the sun slips closer towards the horizon and the humidity eases into a gentle breeze, the Wheel of Brisbane then begins to shine brightly against the orange glow of dusk.
Across the square are more than a dozen spheres made from thousands of repurposed aluminium vegetable streamers, which look like they have been thrown around like giant marbles.
This is also a perfect spot to see another example of Brisbane’s evolving skyline, with the juxtaposition of the two casino buildings.
Standing in the foreground is the 19th-century former Treasury Casino building with its sandstone grandeur and Italian Renaissance styling, while behind it, the sleek towers of the newly-built Star Casino in the Queen’s Wharf precinct pierce the sky.
The group then turns left and enters the bustling Queen Street Mall, with hundreds of people finishing up their shopping, heading to happy hour or grabbing a bite to eat – with many stopping to ask why we had so many cameras in the one place. I’m pretty sure one of the questions we got asked was, “is there someone famous nearby?”
There’s so much to see and capture in this busy shopping strip including the 4,000-square-metre metallic façade that wraps around the Wintergarden complex, the Brisbane Arcade, as well as Albert and Burnett Lanes, where the walls are alive with artwork like adorable native and flora on one side to the fearful Grim Reaper playing guard at one of my favourite watering holes on the other.
Throughout the walk, the guide tells us how art is all around us, stretching well beyond the CBD into other creative pockets like King George Square, Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Newstead, Fish Lane, South Bank and West End, as well as at the two architecturally acclaimed galleries, Queensland Art Gallery (QAG) and Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA).
We also learn that of those thousands of pieces of street artwork, more than 200 pieces alone form part of four official public art trails, each with its own theme and story.
You don’t have to know everything about art to appreciate its beauty or know all the settings on your camera to capture them – all you need is a good sense of curiosity.
Would I do a tour like this again? Definitely! The group was very friendly and welcoming, the route we took was flat which makes it one of the easiest and most accessible ways to experience Brisbane’s culture on foot, and they host events regularly at different parts of the city, making it a great way to make new friends and see the city in a whole new light through a much bigger lens.
Four trails, tonnes of treasures
The great thing about Brisbane acting as an outdoor gallery is that you can create your own art trail or follow one of the city’s ready-made routes like the four Public Art Trails set out by Brisbane City Council.
Each trail has its own unique theme like:
Art and the River: Wander along the river and discover artworks that bring Brisbane’s maritime and industrial past to life.
Contemporary Art and Architecture: Peek inside the city’s modern buildings and spot the creative artworks hiding in plain sight.
Cultural Heritage: Take a journey through Brisbane’s story with historic gems, public monuments, and striking contemporary art.
World Expo ’88: Celebrate the iconic World Expo ’88 with quirky artworks and fascinating artefacts from this city-shaping event.
Visit Brisbane City Council to save the maps and start planning your next adventure.
Photos are my own and are a mixture of images taken on the tour plus King George Square, Queen Street Mall and Fish Lane, which I visited during a solo photography adventure in the city.
