Structures and engineering feats
Kuranda Scenic Railway
1. Story Bridge
Brisbane's most iconic and important bridge, constructed by contractors Evans Deakin-Hornibrook, the Story Bridge opened in July 1940 and was named after John Douglas Story, a prominent public servant.
2. Kuranda Scenic Railway
Opened to the public in 1891, the Cairns-Kuranda Railway was, and still is, an engineering feat of tremendous achievement.
3. XXXX Brewery
Queensland's iconic beer, Fourex (or XXXX) has been brewed in the Castlemaine Perkins Milton Brewery in Brisbane since 1924. In the 1950s the prominent 'XXXX' illuminated sign was erected on top of the brewery, while Mr Fourex, whose true origins are still disputed, looks down from the City side of the brewery.
4. Brisbane City Hall
Erected between 1920 and 1930, for many years Queensland's tallest building, the much loved Brisbane City Hall is seen as the heart of the City of Brisbane. The sandstone-faced building features a finely detailed main entrance topped by a 92m Clock Tower.
5. Skyrail Rainforest Cable (Cairns)
Stretching 7.5km, Skyrail just outside Cairns was the world's longest gondola cableway at the time of completion in 1995, and is one of the State's top tourist attractions.
6. Gateway Bridge
Upon completion in 1985, the main span of the Gateway Bridge over the Brisbane River held the world record for the longest pre-stressed concrete free cantilever bridge for more than 15 years. The bridge owes its distinctive shape to air traffic requirements restricting its height and shipping needs for navigational clearance.
7. Suncorp Stadium (Lang Park)
Originally built on the site of a cemetery, the 52,500 seat stadium has a reputation as one of Australia's best rectangular sports and entertainment venues. The design brings spectators close to the playing field, producing an atmosphere commensurate with the stadium's reputation at State of Origin time as 'The Cauldron.'
8. Q1 (Gold Coast)
Meaning Queensland Number One, the design of Q1, the world's tallest residential tower and the tallest building in Australia, is inspired by the spirit and lifestyle of Australia with its shape reflecting elements of the Olympic torch and the Sydney Opera House.
9. The Gabba
The Brisbane Cricket Ground, affectionately known as the Gabba, can hold 42,000 spectators and is the home ground for the Brisbane Lions AFL team and the Queensland Bulls cricket team.
10. The University of Queensland Great Court
All great universities have a great courtyard and The University of Queensland is no exception. The cloister and buildings around the Great Court feature distinctive sandstone, carved with historical scenes, figures, the names of great thinkers and teachers, coats of arms, grotesques and carvings of Australian flora and fauna.
11. St John's Cathedral (Brisbane)
St John's Cathedral, the central church of the Anglican faith in Queensland, set in the heart of the Brisbane CBD, is a true example of 19th century Gothic-Revival architecture, designed in 1888 by John Loughborough Pearson.
12. Old Museum (Brisbane)
Also constructed in 1891 and originally called the Exhibition Building and Concert Hall, the style of the heritage-listed Old Museum on Gregory Terrace may best be described as ‘progressive eclecticism'. From 1891 to 1930, the Old Museum concert hall was the main venue for concerts in Brisbane, including recitals by Dame Nellie Melba.
13. QANTAS Hangar (Longreach and Cloncurry)
The original QANTAS Hangar is still in use at the Cloncurry Aerodrome, where ‘Queensland and Northern Territory Aerial Service' is still displayed above the hangar door.
14. Hornibrook Highway Bridge
When the Hornibrook Bridge opened on 14 October 1935 to link Redcliffe and Sandgate, it was the longest timber and concrete bridge in the world. At 2.7km, it's still the longest bridge of its kind in Australia and one of the oldest.
15. Burdekin Falls Dam
Queensland's largest dam, the Burdekin Falls Dam southwest of Ayr, was completed in 1987 and has a capacity four times that of Sydney Harbour.
The inclusion of a person, event, invention or place on the Q150 icons list is not intended to offend or upset any individual member or groups of the public nor does it constitute an endorsement or affiliation by Q150, the State of Queensland, their officers, employees or agents with that person, event, invention, place, or any affiliated product or service.
Last reviewed 4 June 2009
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