Exploring the Historic Laneways of Brisbane - And a few alleyways too

[@GhostHuntsman]

The lane you go into at @3:11 has an interesting story. Back in 1884 on the site of where the B.A.F.S Dispensary is now, there used to be a menagerie of animals kept there including tigers owned by Charles Higgins. It was here that Charles was attacked and mauled by a tiger where the lane is now. Charles survived the attack and recovered. There used to be some street art in there depicting tigers but I think it's been painted over, now.

[@rayjohnsonjohnson4458]

As a delivery boy for Allan & Stark in 1959 I used many of these lanes as shortcuts between Brisbane streets. There were also shortcuts using some of the buildings.

[@adampetrie621]

My Great great grandfather was the very first Lord Mayor of Brisbane, John Petrie.. Believe it or not I actually learnt something this well presented video..

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Adam Petrie thanks for your comment! Must be a real honour to be descended from such a well known person.

[@adampetrie621]

Appreciate the gratitude and the walk through. It is somewhat of an honour to be related to John Petrie, especially when I hear the term "Father of Brisbane" used to depict the man.. Happy travels..

[@darrenxw3495]

G'day Rob, what a great saying at the end, if everyone else is turning right then turn left and see what you find. I like that, I find videos like this and your comments quite inspiring thanks mate, Darren.

[@adamburns1884]

It’s always amazing to hear more about Brisbane’s history. Thank you.

[@BradGryphonn]

Hey, Rob. First time seeing one of your videos. I'm 54 seconds in and have subbed. I am a local history nerd. Doesn't matter what town or city I live in, I love learning about its past. It's be great to catch up in the city one day to say g'day and have a yarn.

[@JenniferIngrey]

Came for the walk around my home town, subscribed for the Hillsong comment

[@pauldiezel4584]

Enjoy it while you can. Brisbane has no respect for it's historical buildings. That casino building knocked down a number of absolutely amazing very old historical buildings.

[@rickgoulding2295]

Great work mate, love Brisbane history, do more👍

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Rick Goulding more on the way!

[@BradGryphonn]

Excellent video, Rob. Thank you. I'm a big fan of The Valley. I spent a lot of my teen years hanging out there. When I moved back to Brisbane some years ago, I ended up working as a delivery driver for a major supermarket. I got to deliver all around the Northside but I always liked being in the Valley/New Farm/Herston area. So much history in those places.

[@56music64]

When I was a small girl, my mother and my grandmother would take me in with them to the Carlton Hotel, where the Myer Centre is today. We would go into the ladies lounge, only woman were allowed in there or men who were accompanied by a woman could go in there. It was large and had some levels, with railings, I vaguely remember. My mother and grandmother would have a beer or sherry and I would have a raspberry softdrink, we would all eat ham sandwiches, made fresh. They each wore gloves. Enjoyed this walk, some lanes I did not know about

[@Wayner71]

I remember the Carlton Ladies Lounge from the 1980's. It was open to everyone by then. The buildings demolished for the Myer Centre constituted the heart of Brisbane. It was a tragedy they were allowed to be demolished.

[@56music64]

@@Wayner71 also the club I think it was called The Electric Circus was in one of the bars of the Carlton but entrance via Elizabeth St, I would go there quite often, even though I was too young to drink. I remember sitting on the floor listening to Billy Thorpe, with his long horsey tail, play his guitar and sing back in the early '70's

[@Wayner71]

@@56music64 Yes. Was that later called "White Chairs"? I used to go there on a Friday evening in the 1980's and meet up with people there. It was on Elizabeth Street but connected to the Carlton Hotel.

[@jesus_built_my_hotrod]

Brisbane is a great place to walk around, not too big and lots of interesting nooks and crannies.

[@desmcharris]

Good on ya Rob! That was excellent! 15:41, I thought someone was about to thieve your camera!

[@suekennedy1595]

I have just realised beer on tap is environmentally friendly as the containers are returned and hopefully reused,I saw all the beer kegs in the lanes for pickup

[@patriciaalonsobreier]

Excellent video & walk 🌟 so much history ! I love how you filmed this walk, showing the old and new buildings, and all the details you talked about (very impressive that you found old wooden posts on the ground) amazing! Thank you 🙏

[@iandaniel2153]

Really like the presentation and you would think a fair bit of prep goes in before you hit the frog and toad. Am guessing it was a sunday stroll with so few people abt the place and would only add those street trees reaching for the sunlight clothe those old buildings so well. Hillsong along George Street ... am pretty sure used to be a picture theatre.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

Yes, the Hillsong place was most certainly a movie theatre. I saw many films there over the years. And also yes, I shot on a Sunday to avoid the crowds.

[@aussiedadbloke6669]

Thank you for the interesting video.

[@darynandersonproductions]

Fantastic!

[@ronsmith2241]

Thanks for the video. I've lived in Brisbane most of my life and worked in the city for 26 years. Some of these I knew but many I didn't. Its good to do it on an open day when many buildings are open to the public. The Masonic Temple in Ann St was very interesting.

[@stephenclaydon4519]

Dodge Lane was part of the Austral Motors original location, and they were distributors for Dodge Brothers. All part of the Sir Edwin Tooth motor vehicle business. The old Austral Motors building faces Boundary St you can see it as you walk up Adelaide St and is now part of All Hallows.

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……it’s All Hallows’.………past pupil………

[@davidsea1482]

Thanks Mate, very interesting videos.

[@GdayitsPete]

Thank you Rob, another great video.

[@keithhookway5580]

Fish lane in Sth Brisbane is one you might like ......really enjoy your walk about keep it up

[@joshclarke7279]

Rob, absolutely loving your videos

[@toddjensen8806]

Thanks mate for making these videos, just stumbled upon your channel and it’s brilliant 💪🏽

[@MrMitchography]

Might already have been mentioned but Esk Lane was a filming location for Thor Ragnarok, it featured in trailer and other footage but not a lot in the final film.

[@judcom65]

Hi Rob, I have only recently discovered your channel and I am really enjoying your content. I thought that you might be interested to know where the Briggs Lane name came from as I think you mentioned that you were unsure of its origin. This is only conjecture on my part but I expect it is named after the Briggs Department Store which I think was on the corner of Tank and George Street (opposite McDonnell and Easts). This would have been directly in front of Briggs Lane. My father worked for Briggs back in the 1950s. I imagine it was like Grace Brothers from Are You Being Served! 😂

[@celticoy]

Thanks Mate .

[@keithcheney5343]

As usual very interesting video l think that it’s a Sunday as not much traffic in central Brisbane.

[@thredot7212]

Nice Video, it reminded me of my first exploration of Brisbane when l got here, taking photos of the old buildings and laneways.

[@kimgee4821]

Stay safe bad weather in your area . My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Love your videos

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Kim Gee thanks indeed for your concern and prayers.

[@tomwitherspoon7021]

Thanks for the tour of Brisbane's laneways

[@explorerman658]

Another excellent walk - love the history !!

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Explorerman thanks so much!

[@24inchchromes]

Love these videos Rob. Thanks mate

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……hello Rob! Enjoyed this vid very much, as have lived in Brissie, my whole life. I first worked at the old ‘Courier Mail’ building. I last worked in the building to your left going down Ely Lane. Walked down Hutton Lane everyday to that building. You mentioned the Gresham Hotel. Are you aware that the Certificates of Incorporation for QANTAS were signed at that Hotel, in 1920. The table that was done upon is now at the QANTAS HQ at their Jet Base in Sydney…………

[@walkaboutwithrob]

I didn't know about that. Most interesting and thanks for the historical tidbit there.

[@jamieweston4495]

I used to in the '80 go dumpster diving in Burnett lane. There was a music shop in the area who used to throw out lots of LP's them days.

[@bellswebster5775]

Another great walk. Very interesting. I never gave the Lanes a thought.

[@alexphotoman]

Awesome walk mate ! I know what I'm doing this weekend 👍

[@poesaste]

Fantastic video

[@TheJazzimum]

Great video. I walk near or through some of these laneways as I work in the city. I'm keen to check them all out now. Thanks!

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@TheJazzimum I'm pretty sure I missed a couple of them, so if you find more please let me know! Thanks indeed for watching!

[@TheJazzimum]

@@walkaboutwithrob for sure!

[@shellebelle53]

Wow, I used to work in the city back in the 80's in Little Edward Street and then Wharf Street. It all looks different now.

[@GPP2024]

Wonderful video mate. Thumbs up.

[@lisatopham4249]

Very enjoyable thanks Rob

[@jennyuittenbosch5553]

This and your Boundary Streets walk are great ,, thanks

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Jenny Uittenbosch you're welcome. Hope you like my next one... hope to shoot it this coming Sunday the 28th of March.

[@BradGryphonn]

Oh. I fogot to say, when I was 15, I worked as a storeman and packer in a clothing factory at the bottom end of Albert street, just down from Festival Hall (opposite the old carpark). I would catch a train into the city from Strathpine, but would always make sure I was on an early train so that I could wander around the city early in the morning. I sometimes forget that it was 40+ years ago.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Brad Griffin thanks for your comments and feedback. Makes me feel my work is worth doing when others enjoy watching them. I'm guessing you might have some rare photos in your albums of how things used to look in the city back then.

[@BradGryphonn]

@@walkaboutwithrob I wish, Rob. Most of my parents and my past photographic records were lost in fire and flood.

[@suekennedy1595]

I don’t recognise any of this last lived in Brisbane 1989 but still visit.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Sue Kennedy maybe my video will be a useful guide should you wish to visit some of these fascinating places.

[@joannanorma]

That was great! Thanks .

[@mrbaker1739]

Many of these lanesways were right of ways (similar to an access easement and therefore unnamed) at some point in the distant past the Title Office deemed them to be dedicated public roads and they were shown on subsequent surveys as roads. Some time in the early 90’s the Title Office reversed that decision (presumably on legal advice) and were shown as land in the name of the original developer, with most going back as far as the 1860’s and go up to 1920’s. The BCC periodically resumed the deceased estates and converted them to public roads. In some cases developers negotiated to purchase the laneways from the public trustee. There are a couple of laneways in the CBD and a couple at Sandgate that still in the name of the original developer. There are also 300 to 400 access restriction strips around the city that are deceased estates of similar vintage. The oldest found (now road) was found in the Sydney titles office having been created before QLD separated from NSW.

[@TheAuteurist23]

Have been enjoying your channel, great topics and terrific production. Always had a curiosity about many of these laneways, so this video was much enjoyed.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Brisbane 1994 thanks for your comment. I'm hoping to purchase some new camera stuff soon to get better footage.

[@divarachelenvy]

good video ... well done...

[@darrenpickup8967]

Great video! It would be great if some life could be injected into these laneways like Melbourne’s.

[@jockohara9723]

A very interesting and hardly spoken about area is Brisbane's scenic rim. It has old disused train lines and beautiful country side and houses in really weird places, fassifern has an AFL club there which only survived 5 years, I now think it's in liquidation, yet the oval and posts are still there, that kalbar area would be an interesting place to visit

[@willshirley3830]

Went back in time in google street view. That all hallows building seems to say “Service Station”

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……that’s where Farsley Motors’ showroom was. My parents’ bought their Vanguard cars’ from there back in the ‘50’s, & 60’s……………

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……p s I’m a Past Pupil of All Hallows’ ’………

[@grahammoulds6365]

i took some of the first demo gear for the cross river rail down esk lane

[@scottnicholls7189]

Never knew about the Battle of Brisbane :-o

[@tiropahi]

This is great, I'd love to see the map.

[@peter360adventures9]

Awesome.

[@idiotbox8291]

Very interesting!

[@YAKOMOCLOUDS]

Very informative video

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@CHANTES PLAYHOUSE thanks. I missed a couple of old laneways so may have to do a follow up video.

[@YAKOMOCLOUDS]

@@walkaboutwithrob your videos are really good. the historical research you do....from knowing nothing about where ive lived since 2014 I now know stuff.

[@SandraLewisfocus1]

Clark Lane near Customs House. Founding father’s Thomas Clark came in 1850-60 had 11 children. Later another founding family Baumber’s - a Master Builder built many Brisbane buildings and a brewery in Clark Lane.

[@sielthesnail5628]

I love the Hillsong comment 😂😂😂. Awesome vid, thanks for sharing.

[@fortunateson7852]

What amazes me about Brisbane is the old buildings (sandstone and columns) which would have all been built by hand. No machinery or power tools and would have taken years to complete. Anyway I would guess that the lanes would have been necessary for scaffolding and future maintenance. Of course they also get used for pedestrian use in the meantime.

[@cavscout7113]

I used to love Brisbane's CBD back in the day. It is now almost unrecognizable to me.

[@ianwoodward1554]

Hey Rob, enjoying the vid. Did you shoot this one during COVID. There’s so little people about. My mother in law is really fascinated. Her Uncle was murdered in Burnet lane back in its day.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

To be honest I can't remember what the shoot date was. However, I always try to film places with as few people around as possible. This means I usually film on Sundays and even then I wait for as many people to leave the shot before I roll.

[@veetredz6759]

Thanks for that interesting walk. Got to see many of my father's former watering holes. Gladly we hang out at places like Hillsong now. Drop by and find out what we do in and for the community.

[@nanniecath528]

you haven't seen the recent news since.

[@honkytonk25]

Looks like a ghost town!

[@CaminoCafé-w2q]

I heard someone say "no looking in the mirror" on your way to Charlotte st.

[@christozeb3330]

Briggs lane is worth exploring. I have feeling all thhe old shops on front of Ann St owned by same gisser

[@sheriljafri7742]

nice to hear the hystory

[@kslattery5059]

Is it sad i get excited when I see you have put up a new video

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@K Slattery actually your comment made my day... Thank you so much for watching them and sharing in my journeys.

[@MB-TheRealAustralia]

"My Grandfather was a Mason. Down in Sydney." My Grandfather was a Mason. Down in Melbourne.

[@-DHR4870]

👍👋

[@neptunze71]

I wonder if the old evangelical became the block fence?

[@mylivelondon]

After 8 years living in the UK I think I would now get lost in Brisbane.

[@tangiers365]

I can smell this video

[@rayjohnsonjohnson4458]

Isle's Lane was originally Isle's Love Lane'

[@elizabethroberts6215]

……actually Isles’, Love named after Auctioneers’, who owned the building that used to be there. My parents’ owned Capital Studios’, a photographic studio, there. My aunts’ started Iris Florists’ in same Lane, after the War.

[@jessdean5500]

I would I wouldn't go anywhere near that cult

[@idquwiwltda833]

overells lane?

[@walkaboutwithrob]

Can’t say I’ve ever heard of it.

[@Luxeautostyling]

Its a concrete jungle now

[@CaminoCafé-w2q]

Why the door so small.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

It’s a piece quirky art made by someone I knew years ago

[@CaminoCafé-w2q]

@@walkaboutwithrob Oh Cool! I love it :)

[@daniel-san836]

Without a doubt Melb has a far more impressive laneway scene

[@lynarmstrong693]

Not showing anything on mine all black

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Lyn Armstrong that's very strange. I checked the video and it's still playing at my end. Is your computer up to date with any updates?

[@CaminoCafé-w2q]

I have looked online before and I am surprised to see there was no simulation or emulation of brisbane where you could choose your date and do whatever I guess.

[@Mattski_83]

Hillsong, I think I'll stay on this side of the Road hahahahaha, also Christian Science Reading room, that sounds contradictory.

[@Divocwax]

Some of these laneways are not worth looking at. Just access for rubbish bins. Burnett Lane, Post Office Lane, are "living" lanes with sanitary standards.

[@web2yt488]

Im not religious. But i think is poor form to bash religious choice. You dont go around hating on mosques do you.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@web2yt well, someone is triggered. My comment was simply, “Hillsong. I think I’ll stay on this side of the road”. Clearly, it is not about bashing religious choice as you call it. Where did I say in those few words that I am against religious choice? The answer: it is nowhere because I never said anything of the sort.