What happened to Brisbane’s trams (and other icons that vanished)
This is the inside story on some of Brisbane’s most famous vanishing icons – from the trams to Milton Bowl, the Regent Theatre and Amazons Aquatic Adventureland.
Lifestyle
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Have you ever wondered what happened to Brisbane’s trams, or what the Regent Theatre was like before it closed? As we prepare to bid Queen Street’s Myer farewell later this year, we have taken a step back in time to some of Brisbane’s most memorable icons including Cloudland and Expo 88. We look at where they’ve gone, why they were memorable and just how they changed Brisbane for the better.
Trams
Did you know Brisbane once had a tramway service? Operating from 1885 to 1969 trams were one of the most reliable ways to explore the city.
One of Brisbane’s first iterations of public transport other than ferries and trains was with horsedrawn tram and a driver.
By the early 1900s Brisbane’s trams were primarily running through steam or cable traction.
With a decline in popularity after buses were introduced, Brisbane City Council made the decision to cease operation of trams, with the last tramway route on April 13, 1969.
Heritage-listed tram tracks remain on Old Cleveland Rd at Camp Hill and Carina, and several trams still run on a mini line at the Brisbane Tramway Museum at Ferny Grove.
Milton Bowl
Known as the best place to drink, host parties and play pool from 1960 to 2008, Milton Bowl was more than just a bowling venue.
In the aftermath of the 1974 floods many bowlers remember the lanes becoming warped due to the impact of floodwater.
After renovations Milton Bowl continued to thrive for years to come, with groups such as Hilltop Hoods performing live at the venue before the closure.
Milton Bowl appealed to more than just adults, with high school students from surrounding schools choosing bowling at Milton Bowl as their compulsory sport activity. The venue closed in 2008, much to the disappointment of regulars.
Baxter’s Oyster Saloon
Referred to at the time as the best seafood restaurant in Brisbane, Baxter’s Oyster Saloon at Shorncliffe served the community from 1870s to the 1930s.
The beloved building is now preserved as a heritage-listed site and now serves as a place of residence.
Cloudland
Hundreds of young love stories found their beginning at Cloudland in Bowen Hills when it opened in the 1940s.
Couples would meet, fall in love and some would even marry their life partners while dancing the night away at the ballroom.
With school balls, exams and a floor that felt almost like a bouncing castle in parts, Cloudland made a memorable mark on the city. Brisbane’s beloved Cloudland was demolished in 1982 overnight with no prior warning.
On a Lost Brisbane Facebook post, resident Francis Smith said Cloudland has a special connection to his family. “Both of my parents told me that they met at a Saturday night dance at Cloudland Ballroom. A lot of Brisbane citizens of my generation can tell the same story … and that kids is how I met your mother,” he said.
Regent Theatre
Operating from the late 1920s until redevelopment in late 1970s, a visit to Brisbane’s Regent Theatre in Queen Street would leave crowds in awe.
Wilbur Kentwell dazzled the audience with unrivalled talent, playing music on the magnificent wurlitzer organ that rose from below during intermission. From the red velvet curtains, to the marble staircase the entire building was class.
Despite public calls to “Save the Regent,” the former heritage-listed site was demolished in 2011.
World Expo 88
Held during April to October 1988, World Expo 88 showcased Brisbane on an international stage. With travellers from all over Australia and parts of New Zealand, Expo 88 is fondly remembered by not only Queenslanders, but Australians.
What was once mostly derelict land was transformed into Brisbane’s South Bank in preparation for Expo 88.
During the six months Expo 88 was open, visitors could ride a monorail, watch a parade and explore over 30 international pavilions, with each night culminating in a magical firework display.
Amazons Aquatic Adventureland
If you were a teenager in the 1980s and you lived south of Brisbane there’s a good chance you spent most of your summer holidays at Amazons Aquatic Adventureland.
Open from the early 1980s to 2001, Amazons was situated at Jindalee on a parcel of land that now is occupied by DFO Jindalee. Remembered for the toboggan ride, twilight movies in the pool and birthday parties, Amazons was the best destination for school field trips.
Tragically a person drowned on one of the water slides in 1999, with the water park closing in 2001.
Luna Park Redcliffe
Redcliffe’s Settlement Cove Lagoon and Charlish Park is all that remains now of Queensland’s own Luna Park.
Open from the 1940s to the 1960s, Luna Park Redcliffe Remembered for a hillside slide, a carousel and ground-level trampolines, residents would often hike from Woody Point just to spend an afternoon at Luna Park.
UFO Service Station
Described as one of the highlights along the road that has now become the M1, the UFO Service Station at Yatala has inspired hundreds of future astrologists.
After refuelling, residents could dine by a refurbished tram and explore Fantasyland, situated next door to the UFO Service Station.
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