You know, I never realised that Queensland had a navy. Well, that is until you realise that this…read moreship was actually built before federation, so at the time all of the colonies were basically individual entities, which means that Queensland would have had a navy. That also means that this ship is actually a pretty old ship, but if you looked at it you would also realise, pretty quickly actually, that it no longer works. That is because it has since been scuttled and now sits just off shore as a reef from sealife. Still, it is somewhat interesting finding out about the history of this ship, even though getting to it can be quite a pain.

As I have bemoaned previously on Yelp, Brisbane had most of its architectural heritage knocked out…read moreby the infamous Deen Brothers demolition company, often in the middle of the night. Fun fact - they're still at it! They demolished 6 heritage listed buildings in Hamilton only 4 years ago! However, my point is that we're all lucky no one called them in to take down Newstead House as our city would be the poorer for it. I remember going through this beautiful colonial building as a child, being fascinated by all the beautiful furniture and appreciating how the design of the house maximised the priceless river views and the rolling hills down to the river. You can take part in plenty of community projects here, or just educate your children about Brisbane's history (Deen Brothers soapbox is optional but highly recommended). Oh and you can have Devonshire tea! Delightful!

Newstead House is nestled within the gorgeous Newstead Park and surrounded by beautiful dear old…read moretrees. In addition to its tranquil park surroundings, it also overlooks Brisbane River. Newstead House is known to be the oldest surviving Brisbane residence dating back from 1846. Whenever I visit this park, I find it so heart-warming to know that right before me, is an important piece of Brisbanes history. The Victorian designed house, has a beautiful stretched balcony covering most of the front of the house. Inside it is furnished with some of Australia's rarest antique decor and furniture. This place makes for a wonderful venue to hold a wedding, a wedding reception or any celebration. The surrounding parklands are an idyllic location for wedding photography. Throughout the year, Newstead House hosts many events and has plenty of programs. You can come here to listen to an orchestra playing light classics, enjoy a cup of devonshire tea on the balcony and come for other concerts usually held throughout the year. The program changes yearly, so I suggest checking their website or call them for their latest updates. This is a wonderful piece of history preserved in time. It is a must see for tourists and locals a like. It makes a pleasant historical learning experience for the whole family to enjoy.