Newstead Park is located at the mouth of Breakfast Creek. There are lots of lovely big old trees providing shady spots perfect for a picnic or reading a book. There are plenty of park benches and tables, with some undercover.
There are plenty of shady spots for a picnic, with lovely Brisbane river breezes and views out to Portside Wharf. There is an attractive white gazebo and rotunda which makes it one of the more popular birthday and ceremony locations in Brisbane. Bookings to hire the area must be made with the Council.
There is a walking path around the perimeter of Newstead Park that’s short, flat and doable for all fitness levels. You can find toilet facilities at the top of the hill. You might like to visit Newstead House, which is Brisbane’s oldest surviving residence. It’s open to the public Friday to Sunday.
There is an old-fashioned Alice Through the Looking Glass themed play area, including a talking tree and interactive chessboard and two water fountains. Look out for the Cunningham fig which is believed to be over 200 years old.
Newstead Park is a significant historical park. There are a number of educational plaques about the history and botanical features of the area called Brisbane Blooms. On one side is a monument called Lyndon B Johnson Place, while on the other side is a monument commemorating the John Oxley landing in December 1823. There are other military statues, including a Royal Australian Navy memorial. There is a prominent statue, that is a war memorial which was opened by U.S. President Lyndon B Johnson. Concerts are sometimes held in the house and grounds, including the commemoration of the Battle of the Coral Sea in May each year.
Newstead Park was originally ‘part of a government farm’ as part of the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement. It was then bought by pastoralist Patrick Leslie in 1845, but sold two years later to his brother-in-law, Captain John Wickham. It was the government residence until 1895 when Queensland became a colony. In 1915, Brisbane City Council “knowing that the people appreciated the city parks, stepped in and acquired the whole of the property for the use of the people of Brisbane.”
The land was purchased by Patrick Leslie in 1845 where he built Newstead House. It was designed by Harry Moore. There is also an old substation building and electric tide recorder, which you might find interesting.
Newstead Park is located on Breakfast Creek Road, Newstead, Brisbane QLD 4006. https://newsteadhouse.com.au/
Leave a Reply