war tour brisbane

• Tours & Activities

Full Day U.S. WWII History in Brisbane Tour

• Lunch - Two course restaurant lunch and beverage at The Summit Restaurant, Mt Coot-tha (Brisbane's highest point).
• Air-conditioned vehicle
• WiFi on board
• Bottled water - Still or sparkling
• All Fees and Taxes
• Driver/Guide with live commentary
• Direct Hotel pickup and drop off
• Entry/Admission - MacArthur Museum Brisbane
• Entry/Admission - Mount Coot-tha Lookout
• Entry/Admission - Queensland Maritime Museum
• Optional Gratuities
• Optional purchase of souvenirs
• Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
• Not wheelchair accessible
• Stroller accessible
• Near public transportation
• Infant seats available
• Most travelers can participate
• This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
• This experience requires a minimum number of travelers. If it’s canceled because the minimum isn’t met, you’ll be offered a different date/experience or a full refund
• This tour/activity will have a maximum of 12 travelers

• Information & Tips

Information to help you plan and make the most of your visit.

Opening hours

Admission is free.

Getting here

Anzac Square Memorial Galleries is located at 285 Ann Street, Brisbane.

Enter through the double brass doors (located beneath the Shrine of Remembrance) or via the pedestrian rail tunnel linking Central Station and Anzac Square parkland.

285 Ann Street Brisbane, Queensland Get directions open_in_new

Paid parking is available at several city car parks, including:

Post Office Square car park open_in_new Wickham Terrace car park open_in_new QueensPlaza car park open_in_new King George Square car park open_in_new

Public transport

Anzac Square is located directly across from the Ann Street entrance to Central Station.

The closest terminals are the Riverside Ferry Terminal and the Eagle Street Pier Ferry Terminal.

Visit Translink open_in_new to plan your journey.

The free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop stop at Central station. Anzac Square is located on Ann Street opposite from Central Station.

Visit  Brisbane City Council open_in_new for more information.

Accessibility

All entrances and areas in the Memorial Galleries are wheelchair accessible.

Passenger drop off and pick up zone is located on Adelaide Street on the left side of the road immediately after Anzac Square.

Certified guide, hearing and assistance dogs, wearing their identity card on their coat or harness, are welcomed in the Galleries.

Tours are available in English.  日本語でのツアーも可能です。お気軽にお問い合わせください。.

Visitor information

• No food and drink are allowed in the Memorial Galleries except for bottled water
• No cloaking facilities are available, please keep belongings with you at all times
• Photography is allowed
• Please do not touch the memorial plaques
• Please do not ride electric scooters in the parklands
• Common standards of behaviour, identified by State Library of Queensland's Responsible Conduct Policy , are expected of all visitors.
• Read the full Conditions of Entry open_in_new

Getting around

Navigate your way around Anzac Square parklands and gallery spaces.

Anzac Square gallery map

PDF · 153 KB

Anzac Square parkland map

PDF · 176 KB

Explore Anzac Square

Guided tours

School tours

Parkland features

• 285 Ann Street, Brisbane City QLD, Australia
• Memorial galleries open Sunday to Friday 10am to 4pm; Anzac Square Parklands open 24 hours daily
• https://www.anzacsquare.qld.gov.au/
• 0466 922 259
• https://www.facebook.com/anzacsquarebrisbane/
• https://www.anzacsquare.qld.gov.au/education

Anzac Square and Memorial Galleries

Embark on an interactive journey from the First World War to today inside Anzac Square and Memorial Galleries, curated by State Library of Queensland.

Located in the Brisbane CBD, with the magnificent Shrine of Remembrance and Eternal Flame burning at its heart, Anzac Square provides permanent recognition for those who have served our nation and offers a tranquil place to commemorate and reflect on their commitment, bravery, and sacrifice.

Visitors to the exhibition can now enrich their experience by joining the Collection Highlights tour , departing every Wednesday at 10.30am (excluding Public Holidays). This free, 45-minute guided tour explores the best of State Library’s military collection including the people, places and stories that underpin the Queensland war experience.

Larger groups can also enjoy an exclusive, complimentary tour of the galleries, ideal for Queensland-associated battalions, regiments, and other special interest groups.

Admission is free.

Visit the Anzac Square and Memorial Galleries website for more information and to plan your visit.

The Weekend Edition

• Brisbane Festival
• Circus & Dance
• Exhibitions
• Workshop/Class

Search the most definitive What's On Guide to Brisbane with hundreds of events to choose from

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Walking in Wartime

Adapted from the sold-out season of Americans in WWII, Museum of Brisbane is stepping back through time to explore Brisbane in the Second World War!

Be transported to the age of jazz music, Yankee soldiers and the infamous Battle of Brisbane in Walking in Wartime, a fully immersive tour that will lead you around the city and into the past.

Starting in the Museum of Brisbane’s City Hall location, uncover the important role the building played during the Second World War, before heading off to uncover locations in our city that reveal compelling stories of wartime experience. Stop at the picturesque Albert Street Uniting Church to hear about Brisbane’s war brides, learn of the tensions between Australian and US troops which caused the infamous ‘Battle of Brisbane’ and uncover the secret stories of the code breakers who helped win the war. Finish your tour in front of the MacArthur Museum, the former headquarters of General MacArthur.

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Welcome to Fort Lytton

Fort Lytton is Queensland’s foremost military exhibit, with extensive fortifications, multiple military museums and a large collection of Australian artillery – that preserves the rich military history of Brisbane.

Come and witness the awe-inspiring Fort Lytton, located in the heart of Brisbane. Admission, Guided tours, and parking are all free 10am-4pm on Sundays and most Brisbane public holidays. It’s a great day out for everyone, from families to serious historians. Click to plan your visit

Exhibitions

Our museum hosts a diverse range of exhibitions that showcase various aspects of military life, from weapons and uniforms to wartime diaries and personal memorabilia. These exhibits offer a glimpse into the daily challenges faced by soldiers and highlight their bravery and sacrifices. Whether you’re a history buff or simply curious, you’ll find something intriguing in our carefully curated collections.

In observance of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, we will be closed. However, we warmly invite you to visit us on Easter Monday from 10am to 4pm. We look forward to seeing you then!

Happy Easter! 🐰

Skip to Main Content of WWII

Victory in the Pacific: Battle of Guadalcanal

Tour overview.

With its position in the South Pacific, Guadalcanal was an ideal location for a Japanese airfield that could threaten vital US sea lanes to Australia. Availing ourselves of the best local guides, with accommodations on Guadalcanal that overlook Ironbottom Sound with Savo Island looming in the distance, we will honor the sacrifices made in these historic and seldom visited settings.

Quick Links

Accommodations

Tour pricing.

• Request Information

Additional Tour Dates

August 2 – 10, 2023

August 1 – 9, 2024

August 1 – 9, 2025

Credit to: Solomon Scouts and Coastwatchers Trust Filming by: Torn Parachute Music by: Komuhauru Panpipe Band

The anticlimax of the landings suggested none of the hell that lay ahead. Subjected to fierce counterattacks and suicidal charges by Japanese soldiers, the Marines on Guadalcanal fought tenaciously. Traversing the terrain of Bloody Ridge, standing on the banks of the Tenaru River, and investigating the jungle terrain, we will gain a renewed appreciation for what our men achieved.

Book Your Trip With Us!

Book early and save $1,000 per couple.

Tour Inclusions

• Travel with Jonathan Parshall, one of the foremost experts on the Battle of Guadalcanal
• Full-time logistical Tour Manager
• Expert local battlefield guides
• Roundtrip airport transfers (when arriving & departing on scheduled group tour dates)
• 2-nights in Brisbane at the The Westin Brisbane
• 5-nights in Honiara at Heritage Park Hotel
• 1-night at Pullman Brisbane Airport
• Roundtrip flights between Brisbane and Honiara
• Private, first-class, air-conditioned motor coach transportation
• VIP access to sites not offered on other tours
• Video oral history presentations from the Museum collection
• Included gratuities to guides, drivers, porters, and servers
• Personal listening devices on all included touring
• 7 breakfasts, 7 lunches, 4 dinners
• Beer, wine, and soft drinks with included lunches and dinner
• Informative map book including useful battlefield maps and archival images to be used throughout your journey
• Personalized luggage tags and customized name badge
• Keepsake journal and pen to document your journey

Download The Brochure

Download the official Battle of Guadalcanal brochure for a full listing of inclusions, accommodations, and other useful information.

Tour Itinerary & Map

Destination Map

FULL TOUR ITINERARY  

August 2, 2023 - Day 1

Arrivals & macarthur museum.

Arrive at Brisbane International Airport (BNE), Australia, and transfer to The Westin Hotel located in the heart of city. This afternoon, experience Brisbane as it was from 1942 – 1945 when one million American servicemen rotated through the city. The MacArthur Museum, located inside the wartime headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur, tells the story of MacArthur’s time in Brisbane and the war in the South Pacific. MacArthur’s personal office is preserved inside the museum. Just a few blocks away, visit the site of the infamous Battle of Brisbane, a brawl that erupted when tensions ran high between American and Australian servicemen. This evening, get to know fellow tour mates at a Welcome Dinner.

The Westin Brisbane (D)

August 3, 2023 - Day 2

Eagle farm airfield.

After breakfast, visit the remains of Eagle Farm Airfield, the wartime home of the 81st Air Depot Group. At Eagle Farm, Allied engineers assembled, repaired, and maintained Allied aircraft. At Hangar No. 7, a secret project aimed to give Allied aviators an advantage over the Japanese Zero fighters. The Allied Technical Air Intelligence Unit, made up of personnel from the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom, worked to rebuild and test recovered Japanese aircraft to identify their weaknesses. Over the skies of Brisbane, residents could occasionally see Japanese aircraft, sometimes with an Allied escort or painted in friendly colors to reduce a chance of friendly fire. To ensure the secrecy of the project, Hangar No. 7 stood away from the other hangars and operated under a tight security protocol. A group lunch is included during touring today, and the evening is free to enjoy Brisbane on your own.

The Westin Brisbane (B, L)

August 4, 2023 - Day 3

Henderson field.

A morning flight from Brisbane to Guadalcanal (lunch served in-flight) arrives in the afternoon, landing at Honiara International Airport which is built on the remains of Henderson Field. Upon arrival at the airfield, explore the surrounding terrain to appreciate the presence of Bloody Ridge, the location of the fighter strips, and the American section of the island where hospitals, barracks, and officer’s quarters once stood. A memorial tree garden now stands near the airport. Individuals from Australia and the United States have purchased the memorial trees in honor of loved ones who fought or trained in Guadalcanal. This evening, check in to the .Heritage Park Hotel in Honiara and enjoy an included group dinner.

Heritage Park Hotel Honiara (B, L, D)

August 5, 2023 - Day 4

D-day & the japanese counterattacks.

Touring begins at the invasion beaches where US Marines landed 78 years ago. On August 7, 1942, 11,000 Marines took Red Beach with no Japanese opposition. No American casualties occurred during the landings. By the next day, the Marines arrived at Henderson Field, capturing the lightly defended and recently completed airfield. Continue to Alligator Creek, the site of the first Japanese counterattack attempt at recapturing the airfield. In a nighttime assault, waves of between 100 and 200 Japanese soldiers attacked in the darkness. Each wave was defeated, and the Japanese lost more than 770 of their attacking force of 917 men. The next major Japanese attempt to recapture the airfield took place at Bloody Ridge, the last stop of the touring day. At Bloody Ridge, the Japanese learned from their previous attacks and assembled a much larger force that pushed the Marines to their last defensive position.

Heritage Park Hotel Honiara (B, L)

August 6, 2023 - Day 5

Take a short boat ride to the island of Tulagi, located to the north of Guadalcanal. Tulagi was the seat of the British colonial government of the Solomon Islands. The Japanese took the island in May 1942, and the Americans invaded on August 7, 1942, the same day as the invasion of Guadalcanal. On August 8, the island was declared secure. Tulagi became a headquarters for the subsequent efforts in the Solomon Islands. Following the war, the locals began using the remaining American infrastructure. Visit the battle sites on the island before returning to Guadalcanal for the evening.

August 7, 2023 - Day 6

Vilu war museum.

The Vilu War Museum, nestled just inside the jungle contains the remains of numerous Allied and Japanese aircraft. The aircraft exist in disparate conditions, but highlights include an F4U-1 Corsair, a P38F Lightning, an SBD Dauntless, and several examples of Japanese 150mm guns. During the drive along Cape Esperance, hear the stories of the naval battles that took place off the coast of Guadalcanal.

August 8, 2023 - Day 7

81st anniversary of guadalcanal.

The 81st Anniversary of the Battle of Guadalcanal will take place at various locations throughout the island. The touring day is flexible to allow for the group to experience as many commemoration events as possible. Attend a ceremony near the Solomon Scouts & Coastwatchers Memorial. Bringing together military representatives from Australia and the United States with local officials, the ceremony will highlight the contributions of the Allies and the locals who served as scouts during the battle. Participate in a special “Farewell to Guadalcanal” dinner this evening and reminisce about the journey with fellow tour mates.

August 9, 2023 - Day 8

Optional exploration of coffin corner.

Before the heat of the day rises, participate in an optional excursion to Coffin Corner, near the site of John Basilone’s heroic actions of October 1942. The tour guide will identify the remains of foxholes and trenches along the jungle floor as you explore the terrain to get a sense of the close-quarter fighting seen in the jungle. Review after-action reports and logbooks of previous researchers, and attempt to identify the positions held by Basilone. Return to Honiara by mid-morning to prepare for the return flight to Brisbane (lunch served in-flight). The evening is free for relaxation prior to your international journey home the next day.

Pullman Brisbane Airport (B, L)

August 10, 2023 - Day 9

After breakfast make your way to Brisbane International Airport (BNE) for your journey home.

Tour Historian

Jonathan parshall.

Jonathan Parshall saw his interest in the Imperial Japanese Navy develop early in his childhood. As an adult, that passion led him to create the foremost website devoted to the Imperial Navy, combinedfleet.com, which he founded in 1995. Parshall’s book, Shattered Sword: The Untold Story of the Battle of Midway , coauthored with Anthony Tully, is the definitive account of that pivotal battle in the Pacific. He has written for the Naval War College Review , the US Naval Institute’s Proceedings and Naval History magazines, World War II Magazine , Wartime (the journal of the Australian War Memorial), Flypast magazine, the Sankei Shimbun , and several overseas aviation publications. He has also illustrated numerous books on the Pacific war (including his friend Richard Frank’s MacArthur ). Parshall is an adjunct lecturer for the US Naval War College, and has appeared on the History Channel, Discovery Channel, and the BBC. A graduate of Carleton College and the Carlson School of Management, his next book will look at the Imperial Japanese Navy’s tactics while fighting a night, a strategy they used to great early success during the naval battles near Guadalcanal.

The Westin Brisbane

The Westin Brisbane is a 5-star urban retreat located in the city center near popular attractions, including Queen Street Mall, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), Suncorp Stadium, and the Treasury Casino. The luxury hotel rooms feature Heavenly® Beds, flat-screen TVs with Chromecast, mini-refrigerators, and complimentary Wi-Fi, as well as floor-to-ceiling windows. On-site dining options include the first swim-up pool bar in Brisbane, as well as a Jazz bar and Eden’s Table Restaurant.

Heritage Park Hotel

Heritage Park Hotel, Honiara’s only luxury 4-star hotel, is modern and comfortable, with friendly staff eagerly awaiting to serve. The airy accommodations feature a queen bed or twin beds, furnished balconies, tea and coffee facilities, and free Wi-Fi access. The relaxed rooms come with ocean or garden views. Three on-site restaurants boast the most delicious fare in all of Honiara.

PROGRAM PRICING

Price per person based on double occupancy

$7,395   $6,895

Book Your Trip

Price per person based on single occupancy

$10,395   $9,895

*Taxes and fees are an additional $239 per person and will be included on your final invoice.

Request More Information

Plan your visit

• Conditions of entry
• Plan your visit: Accessibility
• Getting here
• Memorial Features
• Museum at home
• Research at the Memorial
• Poppy's Cafe
• Exhibitions

Galleries : 10 am to 4 pm daily (closed Christmas Day)

Last Post Ceremony : Entry at 4:00 pm, Ceremony commences at 4:30 pm (last admittance at 4:40 pm)

Read the Conditions of Entry .

All visitors require a free timed ticket to enter the Memorial Galleries and attend the Last Post Ceremony. Visitors are advised to book their free ticket in advance to guarantee entry.

Free entry,  book your ticket

The Memorial has a temporary entrance located opposite Poppy’s Café.

As we transform the Memorial, please expect some disruption to your visit, including construction noise, changed parking conditions, and reduced access to some galleries and exhibitions.

To assist with planning your visit, find updates on all our Current Works page .

Recent changes in and around the Memorial

Conflicts 1945 to Today gallery

From 21 August 2023 visitor access to the Conflicts 1945 to Today gallery will be changing to allow for scheduled construction works as we expand our galleries. Learn more about these changes.

Treloar Crescent – Lane closure

Traffic flow along Treloar Crescent, between East Road and West Road, has been reduced to one lane with two-way traffic being controlled by traffic lights. Find out more .

Coach Parking Bay

The coach parking bay will be fully closed until mid- 2024 . During this time there is no parking available at the Memorial for coaches, caravans or over-height vehicles.

Internal Map Lower Level  (295.05 KB)

Internal Map Ground Level  (751.31 KB)

Internal Map Commemorative Area  (401.17 KB)

Iconic areas of the Memorial remain accessible to visitors, including:

• Aircraft Hall
• Hall of Valour
• First World War Galleries
• Second World War Galleries
• Conflicts - 1945 to Today Galleries and 
• the Commemorative Area, the Hall of Memory and Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier, Roll of Honour and Pool of Reflection.

Visitor Carparking  is available in the P1 Visitor Carpark underneath Poppy’s Café.

Access to the P1 Visitor Carpark is from Fairbairn Avenue.

Carpark clearance:  2.3m .

Caravan, campervan, trailer and over-height vehicle parking

From 1 August to mid-2024  there will be no caravan, campervan, trailer, and over-height vehicle parking available at the Memorial.

Coach parking

The coach parking bay will be  fully closed until mid-2024  to allow for construction works.

Go to the Tours page  to learn about our free daily tours. 

Bus  -   Timetables - Transport Canberra (act.gov.au)

Public bus stops are located on Fairbairn Avenue and Limestone Avenue.

Taxi or ride share  - Drop-off and pick-up is next to the National Servicemen's memorial on East Road.

Cycle  - Bike racks are located behind Poppy’s Café and the temporary Reading Room above the P1 Visitor Carpark.

Find out more information about accessing the Memorial . 

Visit the Galleries - First World War, Second World War and Conflicts 1945 to Today

Acknowledgement of traditional custodians.

The Australian War Memorial acknowledges the traditional custodians of country throughout Australia. We recognise their continuing connection to land, sea and waters. We pay our respects to elders past and present.

Australian World War I Battlefield Tours made for Australians…

• Our half-day & full-day tours are based on ‘first hand’ historical research & literature of the  Great War , such as the Official Australian War History of the Great War written by Charles W. Bean , Australia’s official correspondent for the First World War , or on Sir John Monash’s book: The Australian Victories in France in 1918 .
• Our Australian full day tours will enable you to measure the outstanding contribution of Australian soldiers and their officers. You will stand on the very ground   the  ANZAC troops   fought and understand why   WWI became successful with Australian tactics . 20th century definitely started in 1918. A truly Australian (Hi)story…

TRUE BLUE DIGGER TOURS offers you guided day tours to Australian fighting places, memorials & museums…

…on the old Western Front for individuals,  as well as for groups of up to 8 persons . All our tours focus on Australian WW1 History.

• The Somme tour starts by a pick up from either your Amiens hotel or Amiens station ( 70 min by train from Paris ) or at the high speed TGV station in Arras for Flanders .
• You will travel in a Mercedes bus.
• You will visit the places where your soldiers fought and the headstones of your family’s soldiers are .
• You will enjoy lunch at places especially selected in France & Belgium for lasting quality a t fairest price . And moreover…
• We always guarantee you individualized service . The pattern of your private tour is always decided by you and made to suit you . We give you time to link up with your family’s soldier.
• TRUE BLUE DIGGER TOURS is an independent French company , exclusively working for AUSSIES , complying to all obligations in force in France, member of Somme Battlefield Partners , the offical label of the Somme Tourist Department .

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© 2024 TRUE BLUE DIGGER TOURS.

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• UPCOMING TOURS

THE WAR ON DRUGS

East coast tour december 2014.

It’s only taken a few years in Australia for Philadelphia-based outfit The War On Drugs to morph from “that band with the vaguely ironic name that Kurt Vile used to play in” to one of the hottest indie rock propositions on the planet in their own right. The War On Drugs are returning to Australia to play three intimate Meredith Sideshows in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney this December.

Supported by Triple R, fbi, Noisey, The Music and Spotify.

MELBOURNE 8th DEC: Doors 8pm | Twerps 8.30pm | The War On Drugs 9.30pm

BRISBANE 10th DEC: Doors 7.30 pm | Ali Barter 8pm | The War On Drugs 9.15pm

MELBOURNE 11th DEC: Doors 7.30pm | Twerps 8.30 pm | The War On Drugs 9.45pm

SYDNEY 13th DEC: Doors 7.00pm | Ali Barter 8.00pm | The War On Drugs 9.20pm

SYDNEY 15th DEC: Doors 7.00pm | Ali Barter 8.00pm | The War On Drugs 9.20pm

MELBOURNE 16th DEC: Doors 8pm | Twerps 8.30pm | The War On Drugs 9.30pm

More info on The War On Drugs .

Filed under: THE WAR ON DRUGS

• Current Tours
• KINGS PARK & BOTANIC GARDEN
• NIKOLA ESTATE

Join for pre sale opportunities and tour announces

The War On Drugs

We are thrilled to announce the return of The War On Drugs to Australia and New Zealand for the first time since 2018. With special guests Spoon , plus Indigo Sparke , the band will tour the region in December 2023 in support of I Don’t Live Here Anymore, praised by GQ as “the band’s clearest, most vibrant, and upbeat.”

Throughout the tour, The War On Drugs will play some of Australia and New Zealand’s finest venues, including Wellington’s Anderson Park, Auckland’s Spark Arena, the Forecourt of the iconic Sydney Opera House, Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Brisbane’s Riverstage, and Perth’s stunning Kings Park and Botanic Garden .

Led by Adam Granduciel, the GRAMMY-Award winning band has steadily emerged as one of this century’s great rock and roll synthesists, removing the gaps between the underground and the mainstream, between the obtuse and the anthemic, making records that wrestle a fractured past into a unified and engrossing present. The New Yorker called them “the best American ‘rock’ band of this decade” in support of 2017’s A Deeper Understanding while Stereogum hailed The War On Drugs as “one of the greatest American bands of their generation” following the release of I Don’t Live Here Anymore. It landed on numerous 2021 best albums of the year lists and garnered a second GRAMMY Award nomination (Best Rock Song) and BRIT Award nomination.

Joining The War On Drugs for the tour will be one of rock's most acclaimed acts, Spoon . Austin’s most esteemed rock ambassadors have released ten albums to date, including a string of five straight top 10 records: Ga Ga Ga Ga Ga (2007), Transference (2010), They Want My Soul (2014), Hot Thoughts (2017), and Lucifer on the Sofa (2022). Hailed by TIME as “one of the greatest American rock bands”, Spoon topped Metacritic’s chart as the single most critically acclaimed band of the aughts.

EVENT & VENUE INFORMATION

PRODUCTION REMINDER Event may contain smoke, haze, strobe lights & pyrotechnics.

WE PLAY RAIN OR SHINE If it looks like rain, please bring wet weather protection (ponchos & raincoats). Umbrellas are not permitted into the venue. Production Reminder: Event may contain smoke, haze, strobe lights & pyrotechnics.

TICKETS All tickets available through Ticketmaster.com.au and 136 100. This is a licensed event. All patrons must have a valid ticket for entry. Please note that Companion Cards can only be used when purchasing General Admission tickets.

Box Office for this event is cashless. Door sales available via EFT/Credit unless exhausted prior. 

MINORS Under 18's not permitted for this event.

SET TIMES & LINE-UP Occasionally changes to the line-up and/or program times occur that are out of the Promoters control. The Promoter reserves the right to change the line-up and/or program times without prior notification.

WHAT TO BRING Picnic rug and hamper, jacket, sun hat, sunscreen, sealed plastic bottled water/soft drink only (NO BYO Alcohol), comfy shoes and good vibes. For seating, see below. Empty aluminium or plastic water bottles are permitted to be brought into the venue for free filling at the water stations.  TICKETS -Deck – GA Standing tickets gain access to the deck in front of the stage. No seating is permitted.   -Lawn – General Admission ticket holders will need to bring their own picnic rug or seat if desired. Low-to-the-ground beach style chairs are recommended in the General Admission area. High back (deck/camping) chairs are permitted, however will be positioned at the rear of the venue. A seating area is provided for those with wheelchair requirements.

​My General Admission tickets say "GENADM" but have row and seat number on them - what does this mean? This is for ticket tracking purposes only. This information does not mean you have a reserved seat for the event. ​ PUBLIC TRANSPORT There are a range of public transport options connecting you to Kings Park & Botanic Garden. Please refer to the  Transperth Journey Planner  to plan your journey.

​ BUS SHUTTLE SERVICE    Shuttle buses run along Lovekin Drive & May Drive from 4pm - 7pm, picking up patrons at the lighting towers and delivering to main gate (Gate 1). Please note this is a ONE-WAY SERVICE ONLY, helping inbound patrons to enter the show. There are no return shuttle services. We kindly ask for a gold coin donation for this service – all proceeds go to Ronald McDonald House Perth. FOOD A wide range of food options to suit all tastes and budgets will be available for purchase at the venue. Visit jdsfastfoods.com.au to view food vendors in attendance, menus and to pre-order grazing boxes. Patrons can also visit ticketmaster.com.au to pre-order grazing boxes. Alternatively, patrons may bring their own food/picnic. Please be aware of prohibited items listed under “Not Permitted”.

SMOKING, VAPING & E-CIGARETTES The main event space is smoke, vape and e-cigarette free. If you are caught smoking/vaping outside of the designated smoking area, you may be evicted from the event

CONDITIONS OF ENTRY All bags are subject to a safety and security search upon entry. No Pass Outs. PARKING Available along Lovekin, Forrest and May Drives. A drop off zone is located at the venue entrance on Lovekin Drive. ACROD Parking is located on Forrest Drive near the DNA Tower. Access Forrest Drive via Park and Poole Avenue entrances, Crawley.

POST SHOW ROAD CLOSURE Lovekin Drive (in front of concert venue) & the pre-show drop off zone will be closed to all vehicles from just prior to show end for up to 1 hour post show. For Patrons being picked-up after the show the pick-up point is the Wadjuk Carpark.

ENQUIRIES Mellen Events on (08) 9383 3534 or [email protected]

VIP EXPERIENCES

VIP Premium Deck Experience - One (1) Deck Standing GA ticket - Early entry into the venue before the general public. - Commemorative VIP Tour Laminate - Dedicated VIP line at merchandise stand - Designated VIP check-in and onsite staff

Early Entry Lawn GA Experience - One (1) General Admission LAWN ticket. (No DECK access) - Early entry into the venue before the general public - Commemorative VIP Tour Laminate - Early access to merchandise stand - Designated VIP check-in and onsite staff

TICKET PRICING

DECK STANDING = $152.78 LAWN GA = $112.00 VIP PREMIUM DECK STANDING = $178.27 VIP EARLY ENTRY LAWN = $142.58

*Prices are exclusive of transaction fees

RUNNING TIMES

5:00PM - General Gates Open 

6:10PM - Indigo Sparke

7:10PM - Spoon

8:30PM - The War On Drugs

* Times are approximate and subject to change 

PROHIBITED ITEMS

• Alcohol • Unsealed drink containers *empty reusable water containers permitted • Illicit drugs • Weapons, knives or wine spikes *cutlery & small cheese knives permitted • Glass *perfume bottles permitted. • Large items – i.e. bean bags, tents, sun shelters or tables • Trolleys including beach trolleys, sack trolley or wagons • Umbrellas • Sporting equipment • Professional recording devices, SLR cameras or drones • Animals (other than registered assistance animals) • Lasers or laser pointers • Any Dangerous goods

DO I NEED TO PURCHASE A TICKET FOR MY BABY or CHILD? No minors are permitted. 18+ only event.

MY GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS SAY "GENADM" BUT HAVE ROW & SEAT NUMBERS ON THEM - WHAT DOES THAT MEAN? This is for ticket tracking purposes only. This information does not mean you have a reserved seat for the event. Please refer to SEATING under the TICKET PRICES tab.

​General Admission Grass ticket holders will need to bring a picnic blanket or rug with them to sit on (should you wish) or alternatively a low-to-the-ground beach style chair or director/camping chair. Please note that beach chairs (being low-to-the-ground) will be positioned in the first half of the General Admission Grass area and director/camping chairs (being higher off the ground) will be positioned toward the rear of the General Admission Grass area.

I LOST SOME BELONGINGS AT A SHOW // LEFT BEHIND CLOAKED OR CONFISCATED ITEMS - WHAT DO I DO? Please contact the Mellen Events office on (08) 9383 3534 or [email protected] in the days immediately after the show. If you cloaked items at the free cloakroom (or had a confiscated item cloaked), please let us know your Cloaking Ticket Number to better help us locate your item.

I PURCHASED A DRINK (ALCOHOLIC) AT THE VENUE & HAVEN'T FINISHED IT BY THE END OF THE SHOW. CAN I WALK OUT THE VENUE WITH IT? No, the event area is a licensed venue and as such, no alcohol can be taken off the premises (just as you can't purchase a drink at a pub and walk out with it - it must be consumed within the licensed area). Please assist security by leaving any unfinished alcoholic beverages behind.

Welcome to Event Week

Thanks for joining us, get 20% off photos today with code tdb20. expires midnight 14 april., sunday 7 april 2024.

Microsoft Teams

Wednesday 10 April 2024

Thursday 11 april 2024.

Anna Meares Velodrome, Chandler

Friday 12 April 2024

Sideshow Alley, Brisbane Showgrounds

Saturday 13 April 2024

Ernest Baynes Room, Brisbane Showgrounds

Mount Walker Church of Christ

Sunday 14 April 2024

Corner of King Street and Gregory Street

O'Connell Terrace, Bowen Hills

King Street, Bowen Hills

*All times are subject to finalisation pending final entry numbers. 

Registration

All participants must collect their rider packs between Friday 12 April and Sunday 14 April.

All riders must register prior to entering the marshalling area.

Your registration pack (except Community Ride) includes:

• Bike Sticker 
• Two Bib Numbers – One to be worn on the left ribcage and one to be worn on centre of your back. 
• Timing transponder

Your Community Ride registration pack includes:

• One bib number 

Bag drop is available at the Brisbane Showgrounds adjacent to the Registration.

CHANGED TRAFFIC CONDITIONS

Cyclists of all ages and abilities are expected to participate in the Tour de Brisbane sponsored by Transurban throughout Brisbane and fundraise for The Common Good , an initiative of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation.

To deliver a safe and secure event for riders and spectators, there will be major road closures and changed traffic conditions throughout Brisbane under the professional management of Queensland Police Service and Altus Traffic Control.

Motorists are advised to make alternate travel arrangements and give extra time to reach your destination as your normal route may experience delays or be unavailable.

On the event day, map apps such as Google, Waze, and Apple Maps will automatically calculate a detour around the road closures.

Roads will be progressively reopened throughout the event.

Should you wish to discuss your individual requirements, please do not hesitate to contact us. 

P: 07 3124 6099

E: [email protected]

Public Transport

There will be significant disruptions to bus services in Brisbane on Sunday 14 April 2024. More information about impacts to public transport services, will be available on the TransLink website shortly. 

Thank you for your cooperation and for supporting all of the volunteers, spectators, and the athletes who train so hard for this day. Together we can create a successful day for all.

Road Closure Flyers

Thursday 30 March – Time Trial

This event operates under closed roads but with local escorts available. Residents can pre-book these via a phone call to 07 3124 6099 prior to or during racing.

Roads will be progressively closed from 8am; though racing will not start until 9am when buses and parents have been able to take children to school. Racing finishes by 2.00pm prior to school pick up. 

Saturday 1 April – Road Race

This event takes place with a Rolling Closure under Queensland Police Escort.  Roads will not be fully closed.  Motorists must stay behind a group of cyclists racing and not overtake until there is an additional lane to do so. Cars approaching the convoy will be stopped on the side of the road by the Police.

Local traffic is urged to travel only anti-clockwise in the direction of the race to avoid delays and head on situations. If you do come upon a convoy on the road a 2-3 minute wait is all that is likely to be endured. 

Emergency services vehicles will maintain the right of way if necessary under Queensland Police assistance.

Sunday 2 April – Tour de Brisbane

This event operates under a full road closure. For diversion information, please call our office on 07 3124 6099.

Flyers have been delivered to residents in affected suburbs. For reference, these are included below. 

Thursday 30 March Oceania Time Trial

Saturday 1 April Road Race

Sunday 2 April Bowen Hills

Sunday 2 April City and Spring Hill

Sunday 2 April Coot-Tha

Sunday 2 April Centenary Highway

Sunday 2 April Inner City Bypass

Sunday 2 April Story Bridge and Kangaroo Point

Sunday 2 April Southern Cross Way and Kingsford Smith Drive

Sunday 2 April West End

Zoomable Map

The red lines on the below map indicate closed roads.  Click the square in the top left corner to view detailed timing throughout the day as roads progressively open.

Need help using the map?

List of road impacts, access and detour maps.

You can click the images below to enlarge. 

Event Information

Check In and Pack Collection will be open between Friday 12 April and Sunday 14 April 2024 at the Brisbane Showgrounds. 

You can collect for a friend as long as you have their confirmation message. 

The Tour de Brisbane will be held from Friday 12 April to Sunday 14 April 2024.

The main event rides take place on Sunday 14 April 2024 from the Brisbane Showgrounds with an estimated start at 6.00am.

Italian for big ride, a Gran Fondo is a mass participation cycling event. First started in Europe, Gran Fondos are picking up popularity around the world as thousands of cyclists of all ages and abilities get on their bikes.

Gran Fondos feature an active and exciting event base, a scenic and often iconic course, inclusive participation, and a festival atmosphere.

The UCI stands for Union Cycliste Internationale and they are the world governing body for cycling.

The UCI Gran Fondo World Series has qualifying events around the world where the top 20% qualify for the Gran Fondo World Championships. 

We are proud to be a part of the UCI Gran Fondo World Series.

There is no member organisation required. You will need to purchase additional insurance if you are not an AusCycling member.

National Road Series teams must be approved by AusCycling .

The exact start times for each event will be determined closer to the event as they depend on entry numbers. Wave start times for each distance can be found in the Rider Guides, released one week prior to the event.

E ach participant receives a timing chip as part of their race pack which is to be stuck on your seatpost.  

Times are calculated live and officials sign off on final results by late afternoon of the event.  

The start line is located from Sideshow Alley adjacent to the Brisbane Showgrounds. The finish line is on King Street. 

We recommend you leave all valuables at home however if you have a bag and personal belongings  you can leave this in the bag storage area whilst you race.  

Bag storage is available adjacent to Registration.

Absolutely!

Having the event as part of the Brisbane Cycling Festival at the Brisbane Showgrounds means there will be plenty to explore and easy access to heaps of activities, cafes, and shopping.

All teams wishing to set up tents will be asked to do so in the designated areas. With the event operating in the centre of town it is important for the safety and consideration of competitors, spectators and locals that team tents are only erected in permitted areas. Call the office on 1300 282 949 if you would like more information.  

Virgin Airlines are offering their Sports Baggage Allowance for all competitors. 

Accor is proud to be the Official Accommodation Partner of the Brisbane Cycling Festival. Click  here for an exclusive accommodation offer.

Rider Information

The  UCI Gran Fondo World Series and Gran Fondo are offered in one distance and all starts are organised by age groups.

The 80km* and  50km*  are non-competitive recreation rides organised to get you and your mates on the pushy regardless of your pedal power abilities.

80km* and 50km* Riders can marshal and start with your mates.

110km* riders who wish to start outside their age group can opt to do so and must start in the mass start wave at the end of the Gran Fondo wave program.

Absolutely – everyone is welcome to ride!

If you do not think you can maintain the average speed requirements of the 110km*, we recommend you enter a shorter distance such as the 80km* or the 50km*.

If you are competitive, we recommend you join the 110km*.

Yes, you must be satisfied you will meet the minimum average speed criteria needed to complete your course distance within the road-closure period. There will be multiple curfew points across the course to ensure that your ride is fully supported and the event complies with issued permits.

110km*  – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 20km/hr minimum.

80km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 18km/hr minimum.

50km* – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 18km/hr minimum.

Community Ride – to be calculated on final course approval. Estimated at 10km/hr minimum.

More info on not meeting a curfew is available in the terms and conditions .

Important Notes:

(1) Riders who choose to bypass Mt Coot-tha will not gain the commensurate distance elsewhere on their ride; their overall ride shall as a result be shorter than the advertised Gran Fondo distance.

(2) Riders who choose to bypass must give way to all riders who are coming off the descent on the approach to Legacy Way return. This will be signed and marshaled, and adequate lines of sight for both sets of riders prior to merge point will be created.

(3) Any rider in the 110km* who chooses the bypass will continue to have their time recorded but will not be eligible for any age group placing and will not be eligible to qualify to the Gran Fondo Championships.

(4) There will be a timing loop at the base of the climb at Simpsons Road and a loop at the summit adjacent to Channel 2 Station; a rider must cross both these loops and complete the full Gran Fondo distance to be recognised in the above placings.

(5) Riders who are behind the advertised speed minimum or curfew time will be asked to use the bypass; the roads must open at the advertised time in accordance with the road closure permit.

Wave start times for each distance will be finalised in the ten days prior to the event, after official entries have closed.  

Draft start list for 110,80 and 50 available here.

Duathlon startlist here.

You can use road bikes, mountain bikes, city bikes, hybrid bikes, and cross bikes.

E-bikes are permitted in the 80km* and 50km*.

Recumbents are permitted in the 80km* and 50km*.

Tandem bikes are permitted in the 80km* and 50km*. 

Handcyclists and bike trailers are permitted in the Family Ride. 

Time Trial Bikes, and Bikes with tri or aero bars are not permitted.

*Please see your Athlete Guide for Duathlon bike rules.

*Given our curfews for this event are immovable all of the above are contingent in the rider being able to maintain the average speed of each distance. 

Though we love people supporting their local clubs this is not compulsory for this event

YES. Full stop.

You are  not permitted  to race with any music devices including mobile phones, MP3 players, earphones etc, this is a very serious safety risk to you and the participants around you.

*National Road Series riders may ride with a team radio in accordance with NRS Regulations.

Feed Station #1 – 15.41km UQ Lakes Station  

Feed Station #2 – 44.84km – Pioneer Belz Park  

Feed Station #3 – 64.76km – Links Avenue North  

Feed Station #4 – 96.44km – Grey Gum Picnic Area  

All feed stations will have toilets onsite.  

Entry Information

Official entries close 10 days prior to the event. 

Yes.  The ODM is automatically added to your entry, if you do not have an AusCycling membership.  

Yes. All distances have a minimum age for participation. 

110km* – Must be born in 2007 or earlier

80km* – Must be born in 2009 or earlier; e-bikes okay

50km* – Must be born in 2011 or earlier, e-bikes and recumbents okay

Age restrictions for each category are defined by the AusCycling Junior Policy.

Note: all children 12 years and under must be accompanied by an adult

All 110km* entries are organised by age group.

Your age group is determined by your age as of  31 December 2024 and grouped in  five year  brackets (i.e. 30-34, 35-39, etc.).  

Riders in the 110km* who complete the full ride in their correct age group are eligible to qualify if they finish in the top 20% in their age group.

All times are based off gun time – it is essential that if you intend to qualify for Worlds that you start in your correct wave.

Riders who start in the incorrect wave will not be eligible to qualify.

Unfortunately we are unable to provide free event jerseys this year. A merchandise store is now live for purchasing the official event jersey.

All merchandise is for pick up at event only.  The venue will open ahead of the event giving riders time to collect their jersey in advance.

The following policy will apply:

• Withdrawal 45 days or more out from the event you will receive an 80% refund or 100% credit.  
• Withdrawal 14-44 days out from the event you will receive a 50% refund or 100% credit.  
• Withdrawal 13 days or less out from the event you will receive no refund and 100% credit of your entry fee.  
• Withdrawal 48 hours or less out from the event you will receive no refund or credit of your entry fee.  
• Refunds or credits do not apply to items such as merchandise, accommodation, meals, travel and are only applicable to entry fees.  
• To receive credit or refund, withdrawals must be made in writing to   [email protected]  

Read the fine print by  clicking here .     

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Black Flag To Play First Australian Shows In 10 Years

by Paul Cashmere on September 18, 2023

Black Flag will play their first Australian shows in a decade in December with the classic album ‘My War’ as the centrepiece of the show.

Black Flag 2023 features founder member, primary songwriter and guitarist, Greg Ginn, and vocalist/pro skateboarder, Mike Vallely, on bass.

‘My War’ was released in March 1984. It was the second Black Flag album and first of three albums the band would released in 1984.

Side one of ‘My War’ was six short hardcore punk tracks. Side two feature three long sludge metal tracks.

Fun Fact: Kurt Cobain attended his first ever punk concert with Black Flag during the ‘My War’ tour on ’84.

BLACK FLAG December 2023 Australian Tour Dates Thursday 7th December GOLD COAST, Mo’s Desert Clubhouse Friday 8th December BRISBANE, Mansfield Tavern Saturday 9th December SYDNEY, Factory Theatre Sunday 10th December MELBOUURNE, Corner Hotel

Tickets on sale now from: https://www.silverbacktouring.com.au/black-flag-usa/

Stay updated with your free Noise11.com daily music news email alert.  Subscribe to Noise11 Music News here

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Tagged as: 80s , Black Flag , My War , punk , USA

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The War On Drugs 2023 Australian Tour Setlists

By Music Feeds

Adam Granduciel and his comrades in The War On Drugs are back for their first tour of Australia since 2018 . The American band released its fifth studio album, I Don’t Live Here Anymore , in 2021. They’re joined on the Australian tour by Texas indie rock band Spoon , who haven’t been here since 2017, and Australian singer-songwriter Indigo Sparke .

The tour begins with two dates at the Sydney Opera House Forecourt, followed by performances at major outdoor venues in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. It’ll bring a close to two years of hard graft for The War On Drugs, who’ve conducted extensive tours of the USA, UK, Canada, Mexico and Europe since the release of I Don’t Live Here Anymore . Find all the tour setlists below.

The War On Drugs – ‘Red Eyes’

Riverstage, Brisbane

• Saturday, 9th December
• An Ocean in Between the Waves
• I Don’t Wanna Wait
• Strangest Thing
• Harmonia’s Dream
• Living Proof
• Eyes to the Wind
• Play It All Night Long (Warren Zevon cover)
• Under the Pressure
• I Don’t Live Here Anymore
• Occasional Rain
• Lost in the Dream

Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne

• Thursday, 7th December

Sydney Opera House Forecourt

• Tuesday, 5th December
• Monday, 4th December
• Arms Like Boulders

The War On Drugs 2023 Australian Tour

w/ Spoon & Indigo Sparke

• Monday, 4th December – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney NSW
• Tuesday, 5th December – Sydney Opera House Forecourt, Sydney NSW
• Thursday, 7th December – Sidney Myer Music Bowl, Melbourne VIC
• Saturday, 9th December – Riverstage, Brisbane QLD
• Monday, 11th December – Kings Park and Botanic Garden, Perth WA

Tickets on sale now

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The War on Drugs Announce 2023 Australian Tour with Special Guests Spoon

Foo Fighters 2023 Australian Tour Setlists

The Wiggles Announce the First Vinyl Release of Their 1994 Album ‘Yummy Yummy’

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Remembering the First World War

The First World War erupted in Europe on 4 August 1914. Across Australia the call to arms was sounded. By the end of the year more than 50,000 young men and nearly 300 women had leapt to support the British Empire. Families waved farewell to their sons and daughters, husbands, brothers, sweethearts and friends. Then they waited anxiously for news from Gallipoli, Turkey – the place of Australia’s first active service in the war.

Many thought the war would be over by Christmas 1914, but it carried on. Wounded men returned home and troops moved from Gallipoli to the trenches of the Western Front and the heat of the Middle East. Even after the fighting had stopped on 11 November 1918, the cost of war continued for those at home.

For the returning troops, the appalling conditions they had endured and the terrors they had witnessed left many physically and mentally traumatised for the rest of their lives.  At the same time, families of the deceased struggled with their grief and the realities of life without their loved ones.

Remembering the First World War  presents a selection of Museum of Brisbane commissioned projects by artists, photographers and filmmakers, to share the war experiences of service people who enlisted through primary documents such as photographs, diary entries and letters.

Still image from Facing World War One: Stories of loyalty, loss and love.

Stories of loyalty, loss and love

Young men from all walks of life left Brisbane to fight in the First World War. Whether driven by patriotic fervour, a sense of adventure or out of economic necessity, they said farewell to home, family and friends. Few who enlisted knew what lay before them – a brutal war like none other fought before.

Facing World War One: Stories of loyalty, loss and love presents the war experiences of a selection of men who enlisted in Brisbane. Through the letters written by their loved ones to the Australian Imperial Force Base Records in Melbourne, this filmic presentation is an intimate revelation of the human impact of war on those who enlisted and those who awaited their return.

The correspondence shows that, as the war lingered on, there was an emotional shift from loyalty to Australia, to dealing with considerable loss and, ultimately, to the endurance of love. Listen below.

Facing World War One: Stories of loyalty, loss and love | Duration: 33mins 20secs | Creative Producers: Karen Donnelly, Tony Nott, Raimond De Weerdt, Writer: David Williams, Narrator: Andrew Rodoreda, Camera: Andre Castaldi, Sound: Adam Boon, Actors: Tracey Bodsworth, Asaiah Carney, Greg Clarke, Wendy Donnelly, Paul Gibbs, Rachel McNamara, Nic Ross, Joseph Thomsen, John Walker, Leon Walsh, Colin Watson, Jeryl Watson, Amos Jon Wilksch.

Letters from the War

Desperately seeking news

Anxiety levels among those at home understandably increased when there was an absence of news from loved ones. With mail taking over two months to arrive, family and friends turned to Base Records for news. Base Records was the records office of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). All enquiries regarding the men and women who had left Australia were to be sent to the one location, Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, where a copy of every soldier’s attestation papers was stored. On average, more than 1,000 letters a day were received by Base Records. Despite the stressful and painful circumstances, these formal and usually patient letters are an intimate revelation of the attitudes and daily worries of those at home.

From October 1914 to December 1921 Base Records sent out:

• 1,495,135 letters
• 163,840 telegrams
• 4,809 cable messages
• 31,608 parcels
• 60,000 War Graves Commission pamphlets
• 25,000 notifications about honours, awards and mentions
• 8,000 bronze oak leaves to those Mentioned in Despatches.

Faces from the War

The organisation Facing Australia creates photographic and video works that reflect upon identity, place and community which contribute to national memory, informing who we are and who we were. The work of Facing Australia challenges anecdotal perceptions about the Australian identity.

The Face of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) (2016) and the Face of the Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS) (2016) are a visual interpretation of all the men and women who served in the First World War. 100 portraits of these men and women were specifically selected and precisely layered, one over the other, to create the composite portraits.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra is inscribed with the words, “He is all of them, and he is one of us”. The composite portraits of the AIF and AANS are Facing Australia’s homage to these words and those men and women of the First World War.

These images were created by Facing Australia for Museum of Brisbane’s exhibition Facing World War One: Stories of loyalty, loss and love on display at Museum of Brisbane between 22 April – 28 August 2016. The exhibition was supported by funding from the Australian Government under the Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program.

Australians in the First World War

Often the most personal reminders of those who went to war were studio portraits of soldiers and nurses in uniform.

It was common for servicemen and women to have their portraits taken to give as gifts before they departed, or to send later to friends and family at home. They were often prized possessions, and in many homes this was the only photo – and sometimes final reminder – of a beloved. These portraits were generously supplied following a 2016 community call out by Museum of Brisbane for portraits of the men and women who served in the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and Australian Army Nursing Service (AANS).

We would love to see your studio portraits of relatives involved in the First World War. Tag @museumofbrisbane on social media to share your photos.

The Wattle | Our Flower

Officially proclaimed our national floral emblem in 1988, the wattle has been used as a symbol of Australia since before the Federation of our nation in 1901. Our sporting colours of green and gold are drawn from the colours of the wattle.

During the First World War the wattle took on more meaning than just patriotism. It came to represent home to those serving overseas, with soldiers sent wattle sprigs while away serving in the war. Wattle also became a way to remember loved ones who were serving. Wattle sprigs and badges featuring stylised wattle were sold to raise money in support of the war effort and were worn in memory of those who had died and those still serving.

Greer Townshend: Here I Came to the Very Edge

Greer Townshend is a Brisbane-based artist whose paper sculptures often refer to notions of fragility and memory. In her works, Greer employs drawing techniques, origami (paper-folding), and kirigami (paper-cutting) to craft miniature interior worlds illuminated by soft light. Greer’s artworks often tell a story, but also evoke memories and explore layers of the subconscious.

Throughout her 2017 Q ANZAC 100 Fellowship at the State Library of Queensland, Greer researched the experience of soldiers and servicepeople during the First World War. Accessing photographs, letters and diaries from the library archive offered Greer deeper insight into the lives of Queensland soldiers, reverends and other wartime workers. Greer continues to translate these stories into her artworks today. Her works encourage us to remember and reflect upon the profound effect of war on soldiers and servicepeople.

Private Herbert Mallyon (Forest) 2020

This artwork by Greer Townshend depicts Private Herbert Mallyon, a young stretcher-bearer from Springsure, Queensland, who was stationed in France during the First World War. Access to Private Mallyon’s personal diaries through the State Library of Queensland allowed Greer insight into his wartime experiences, including the Battle of Deville Wood at the Somme, France in 1916, the event upon which this artwork is based. Describing this battle, Private Mallyon wrote:

Deville Wood where the fierce battle was fought sometime previous has been a death trap for both the enemy and ourselves. Bodies stay lay there unburied in great numbers. It is a horrible sight. The wood itself is nothing but a mass of charred broken timber.

Greer was moved by Private Mallyon’s account, and was interested in the consistent reference to the destruction of nature throughout his diaries. As an archetypal image, the forest represents the unconscious, and conjures up the “hero’s journey”, as well as folklore involving magic, danger and immortality. In Private Mallyon’s case, it also refers to the lush forests surrounding his hometown—in stark contrast to the destruction he saw at war. Private Mallyon died in action in 1917, while serving on the Ypres Front in Belgium. His comrades from the 15th Australian Field Ambulance wrote to his mother expressing their grief:

Each one of us looked upon him as a tower of strength during the whole of his active service & it is not surprising that his loss is so deeply felt among us.

View  the primary documents Greer used to develop this artwork in State Library of Queensland’s catalogue.

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< Back to Tours

The War Graves of South Brisbane Cemetery

Our next ‘The War Graves of South Brisbane Cemetery’ tour:

During this special War Graves tour of the South Brisbane Cemetery you will visit the resting places of those who served during times of war and learn about their stories. You will also learn how to identify the many different forms of military memorials and symbols in this this beautiful and historical cemetery.

Your friendly guides are cemetery historians Tracey Olivieri and Chris Dawson.

You are welcome to stay a while after the tour for coffee, tea, biscuits and a chat. 

Attendance details

• The tour will take about 1.5 hours and is s uitable for ages 12 years and up .
• Entry cost is gold coin and up donation . This is a not-for-profit tour and the revenue helps to fund our award-winning cemetery maintenance and history projects, so all donations are gratefully accepted.
• The tour begins at the main gates off Annerley Road.
• Please arrive 15 minutes before the scheduled starting time so we can all begin on time.
• Parking is available inside the cemetery.
• Please wear a hat and enclosed shoes , and also insect repellent if desired.
• Access to toilets can be provided during the tour.
• Walking difficulty is medium. Please be aware that this tour does involve walking (slowly) up the hill in the cemetery. Please advise us of any relevant medical concerns prior to attending the tour.

Private and Easy Access Tours

We can organise a Private Tour just for your own group of friends. We also run Easy Access tours for groups with mobility issues. You can select any available tour type you want. Minimum cost is $150 for up to 15 people (extra people $10 per person).

All our tours are not-for-profit and run by the  Friends of South Brisbane Cemetery (Inc.) in a community partnership with the Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society (Inc.), and are conducted under license from the Brisbane City Council.

Please contact [email protected]  with your queries.

This is a not-for-profit ‘Real History’ event that respects historical accuracy and cemetery values.

Nadal confirms comeback at Barcelona Open, to face Cobolli

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Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Christian Radnedge

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Brazilian umpire Antonio Casa has been suspended for seven years and six months after admitting to charges of corruption and betting-related violations, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said on Monday.

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Perfect Palmer hits four as Chelsea thrash Everton 6-0

Chelsea midfielder Cole Palmer scored four goals, including a hat-trick in the first 30 minutes, as his side hammered Everton 6-0 on Monday to maintain their push for a European spot and leave the visitors still hovering above the relegation zone.

The Boston Red Sox might be without outfielder Tyler O'Neill on Tuesday night when they host the Cleveland Guardians in the second game of a four-game series.

Australia leads Mexico 2-0 in Billie Jean King Cup tie in Brisbane after wins for Arina Rodionova, Daria Saville

Sport Australia leads Mexico 2-0 in Billie Jean King Cup tie in Brisbane after wins for Arina Rodionova, Daria Saville

Arina Rodionova has had to overcome some team tennis nerves but Daria Saville had no such problem as the pair put Australia on the cusp of a Billie Jean King Cup finals return. The hosts lead Mexico 2-0 after Friday's singles at Brisbane's Pat Rafter Arena.

Rodionova beat Giuliana Olmos 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 in just over two hours before Saville thumped world number 562 Marcela Zacarias 6-1, 6-0 in 51 minutes.

They need just one win in Saturday's reverse singles or doubles to book a spot in November's 12-team finals tournament as Australia, runner-up twice in the last five years, chase their first title since 1974.

A recent world number six in doubles and a veteran of 24 Cup ties, Olmos is the only Mexican woman ever to sit inside the top 10 or win a WTA Tour event in singles or doubles.

She had the better of a nervy Rodionova, playing in her first tie since a 2016 debut, in a dominant first set and had break point at 3-3 in the second.

But the 34-year-old held serve, saving six of eight break points across the match, then swooped to break for the first time on her ninth attempt.

She won the next eight games, her only blemish coming at 5-0 in the third as she served for the match.

"Everyone knows, if you're looking by the rankings, we're supposed to win. But that's so dangerous," the Russian-born talent said.

"I just kept waiting, fighting and hoping she would go back down to the level she usually plays in singles.

"You can play tennis for 20 years … then come out and play for something bigger than yourself and you're like, 'Which side do I hold my racquet?'.

"It took a few games to relax and remember it's still the same game, but mentally it's very different."

Victory — behind 25 Rodionova winners to Olmos's 13 — was sweet relief after a horror injury to Australia's number two Storm Hunter in practice on Thursday.

The Queenslander ruptured her right Achilles tendon, the injury ruling her out of the Olympics and likely the remainder of this year's WTA Tour.

Saville, the former world number 20 who re-entered the top 100 earlier this week, replaced Hunter and made the most of the call-up to improve her Cup singles record to 5-7.

"I thought I played pretty well … I thought I was pretty determined and that shows.

"Yesterday was a tough day, pretty emotional … we're giving Stormy a lot of love."

Captain Sam Stosur is yet to announce who will play doubles for Australia after year-ending world number one Hunter and Ellen Perez were initially selected.

The ABC of SPORT

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