Walking Brisbane's Ghost Town - Welcome to MYRTLETOWN

Such a strange, sometimes even surreal place right near the airport. So close to the City yet it feels a hundred miles away.

[@ch64621]

Brisbane City Council really should think about moving people out there again, there is a lot of space for new homes to be built and property value could go up, once the Brisbane Cruise Terminal is up and running. I always seem to feel sorry for abandoned places.

[@mytletown]

My Great Grandparents came to Mytletown in 1860 along with many German Lutheran farmers who were in search of land. Because they spoke German most of the people were related to one another by marriage. Most of them are buried in the Nundah Historic cemetry and Attended Nudgee Road Lutheran Church which was where the big roundabout on Nudgee road is today. My Parents and Grandparents spoke of Mytletown/Pinkenba as a very close knit community of small crop farmers. In those days it was quite beautiful according to my Grandfather who was born in 1899. It is indeed sad to see an area where some of queenslands first free settlers came, in such disrepair. Thank you for the video. Kevin

[@williebeamish5879]

So many places in tge US look just like this. Makes me sad for some reason, even though I've only set foot in a few of them and have no familial connections.

[@lorenzomagazzeni5425]

Pinkenba... I went there when I was just riding aimlessy. It seemed like something out of the fifties, the houses - all was missing were Holdens and Fords Falcons. Strange place.

[@Dissentient]

This video is bringing back some memories of my high school years. I had friends who lived in Pinkenba and Myrtletown. We used to catch the Pinkenba diesel out through those old stations... Pinkenba was down the road a little from the Pink. Probably about 100 meters or so. Directly across the road from the tavern were old QR shacks for the old Wheat factory there. Years later those streets in the village was where my brother taught me how to drive. The same area my dad taught my brother, and where I taught my niece. :)

[@bellswebster5775]

Watched this again today. I love looking at abandoned or hardly used places.

[@pr0engineer873]

I remember being fascinated by Myrtle town and doing a bunch of research into the town about a year ago. I was disappointed to find that there was basically nothing left of the town as it's all been reclaimed for industrial use and use by the Airport. My interest was piqued when I wondered about the origin and naming of the NAV marker at the Airport near the old international terminal called MYRTL. This was a great video that covered the history of the area is more detail than I could find :) Thanks

[@bikerleo1966]

The School you walked thru is being sold soon for a private dwelling. It was the first State School the Bee Gees went to imagine the walk the Bee Gees had to do to walk too and from school when they lived at Crib Island ! The School was also used in WW2 for something aswell.

[@Starre8888]

Just found your channel Rob. This video brings back memories for me. I had my first full time job back in the 80s when I was 18 in Lavarack Ave with a company called Tubemakers. The port used to be located right along that side of the river and the airport was located behind Doomben racecourse. What is the airport now used to be the little community of 'Cribb Island' which was aquired and relocated by the Gov't of the day. There was a plan to build condos right along the river front with a 60,000 capacity stadium and have it serviced by light rail but that has long since evaporated to my knowledge

[@ShaunTheBaa]

I've worked for a business based in Pinkenba since 2017 so it's good to see you in familiar surroundings. Saying how quiet it is and everything's shut, that's because its a weekend/holiday. Try going there on a workday and you want to see the amount of roadworks happening right now, jeeez. There are also a lot of abandoned houses in Pinkenba. The main reason is because it floods, badly. King tide and a bit of rain and the water gets up to 1 meter deep all the way down to the cruise terminal. Interestingly, the rail line you were standing on is being repurposed. There is work being undertaken on it as of right now. Another peice of interesting information, did you know a scene for an upcoming movie was filmed in Pinkenba? I'm not talking about a small time movie that no one has ever heard of either, I'm talking about a blockbuster. You walked down the streets where for 2 weeks they had closed off, full of camera tracking cars, cast and camera equipment. The movie has since been scrapped but what was the name of the movie? Pacific Rim 3

[@TheAuteurist23]

I've taken drives out to Myrtletown over the years just to check it out. I kind of enjoy the desolation. Amazing to think it was once populated with a school. Great vid!

[@terrymellick1779]

My Father took me to Myrtletown in the late 1950s to show me the Commando boat MV Krate which had been pulled up in the mud through the mangroves. He being an ex Commando from 2/4th Commando thought it was a sad end for an old warrior but in 1991 we travelled to the Australian National Maritime Museum to see the refurbished MV Krate, beautiful digs for ocean warrior.

[@theoztreecrasher2647]

You might want to edit your post. I believe that the boat was called the Krait. (After the snake.) 🤔

[@AudioTones67]

8:28 - I wish I could get my hands on that hardwood timber flooring! Haunting video Rob, one of my favorites, thank you.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Anthony Bowe I believe the place is for sale so maybe someone can make something of it and put it to use.

[@bretth4988]

Sad to see such waste of buildings when we have a homeless problem. I live in Perth these days. Born in Brisbane and lived there twice. I love Queensland!

[@darrenpacey2217]

I’m really enjoying your channel Rob. I’m Warwick born and Brisbane bred but live overseas and have done so for a long time. Feels like a bit of a lifeline to back home. Keep it up. Nice one!

[@timbne]

Cool video. I was lucky enough to explore the abandoned Pinkenba railway station before it was demolished. Also near boggy creek there are multiple shipwrecks deep amongst the mangroves, I remember seeing them many years ago while fishing at a secret spot. Such an interesting part of Brisbane.

[@jamesrose6751]

Love exploring here on a weekend. Have a calming vibe for me

[@BeckiieAnne]

I dont know how you walk in this heat, sometimes it's hard enough to just stand in it! Loving your content, glad to have more Aussie videos locally to watch.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Beckiieanne I make sure I take plenty of water. And actually, the more sweat there is, the cooler it becomes!

[@frodosadventures8757]

I've lived around Brisbane and SEQ all my life but I've never heard of Myrtletown!

[@Bundydream]

I am the same!

[@Kilo_of_Milk]

Love your content Rob. Very relaxing and nostalgic

[@shellebelle53]

Such a beautiful old home around the 3:30 mark...what a shame it's been left...you'd think someone would have saved it and relocated somewhere else. I remember Jamie Dunne from his Boris's Breakfast Club and then Agros Cartoon Connection days...a long, long time ago 😅😊 Belated Congratulations on your awards too 😊

[@kigna1234]

Great video mate, love the story telling narrative you have on Brisbane history.

[@kevinj.k.8120]

Excellent fishing out there. Caught a 1m long flathead there 10 years ago.

[@cookiesduh7120]

such a interesting video. nice and old school, love it ! happy birthday by the way :/

[@kay5667]

My mother went to myrtletown school. My great grandparents ( German ) lived there until they passed away.

[@leishagreenleaf833]

So happy to discover your channel through Facebook! Really enjoyed this episode... thank you !

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Leisha Greenleaf you're more than welcome. Thank you for watching :-)

[@UpstyleDown]

Hey Rob, that house on Osova St. My sister lived in that house from 2013 for a number of years. The block on the eastern side also had a similar building with tenants. It looked liked the house at 17 Osova was moved to that location and raised. All gone now.

[@jondown0031]

after you left the School, just on the northern end of the school grounds, there is a walkway with a Plaque at the entrance detailing the people who farmed in the area back in the day, you may have missed it, as it was off the main footpath....Was an interesting read....Enjoy your vids, Cheers.

[@Jagermonsta]

Brisbane local - that was some interesting history, thanks :D

[@BradGryphonn]

I loved that area. Dad would take me out that way sometimes to go fishing but mainly to see the refineries and the back of the airport. I ended up delivering groceries out to a house in Pinkenba.

[@vv8134]

Really enjoyed it thanks . Amazing to think that those roads and sights would be some tourists first views or impressions of Brisbane if they come off an international cruise! So sad it is such a ghost town . Hopefully something happens to revitalise it in some way

[@ch64621]

I really hope so too, a good suburb next to the airport, it could be

[@michaelcurro9107]

Love your work Rob. Big increase in subscribers also which indicates that people are responding to your entertaining and instructive journeys. Got the same hat. It's a beauty.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Michael Curro thanks so much! Maybe we can bring this hat style back into fashion.

[@michaelcurro9107]

@@walkaboutwithrob I can't get over how you always look so fresh after such long walks in the middle of summer. That hat still looks brand new. No sweat bands.

[@gbangerau]

Enjoyed this. Thanks.

[@divarachelenvy]

thanks for yet another show matey...

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@rachel gilmore thank you so much for watching. Hope you stay tuned for new adventures :-)

[@bikerleo1966]

Myrtletown had an old Tram by the side of the road for decades it is long gone now.

[@craigsinclair-tilley2074]

Where exactly was this tram?

[@BjAnderson26]

@@craigsinclair-tilley2074 In the paddock where he shot his film used to be old rusted out trams two of them with moreton bay fig trees growing out of them

[@kerenmcsweeney]

That was very intersting (use to work in Eagle Farm in the early 90's but never went past the work point. Thanks so much for thet

[@Meeandah]

The railway station was actually a few hundred metres south west of that gravel patch...

[@annerowan3647]

Thank you for that. I grew up in Ascot Clayfield Hendra and that area. Some gorgeous homes in Enderly avenue. Loved walking there. I've left Brisbane, too crowded and I can no longer navigate my way around now.

[@pinkenbajedi2119]

Ha, I used to play in that house as a kid. I was there the day in was shipped in, we played football in the lounge room. I used to get food from the takeaway before school. This is like walking through my childhood 😂 I know every street creek house and driveway.

[@markkouros6628]

At the part where you said there's a lot of water ahead, I saw a Willy Wagtail running across the road , don't see many of them anymore.. another great video..

[@GarageSupra]

all those cafes would be open during the week. Industrial areas are usually pretty quiet on weekends. this area would be different during the week. cool video

[@idiotbox8291]

I went to Ascot State School in the late 60's & our yearly walkathon was from Ascot SS to Pinkenba SS & back. I think it was 15 miles.

[@pauldiezel4584]

Mate, I'm really loving you channel

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Paul Diezel thanks! Hope you like the new content that is on the way.

[@larissahorne9991]

Wow! That's Certainly Different from the area I Spent The First 13 Years Of My Life, On The Border Of Wavell Heights And Nundah! That's Definitely Been Gentrified In Recent Years. We Could See "The Gateway Bridge" From Our Lounge Room Window!

[@user-ur7gy3xp6p]

I remember going out there just a few years ago (I used to work at G,James Glass & Aluminium which you passed) and there was still a small market garden growing vegetables. I'm pleased to see they have made improvements to the area where the concrete bunkers are.

[@Sherbet4ever]

I recognised some of the scenery in this video when I watched the magnificent "Boy Swallows Universe“ on Netflix. Your video almost made me feel like I’d been there. As an aside, have you read that the closed Pinkenba SS was used for the scene where Lyle sells drugs to the skinheads? Perhaps you might consider a video on the BSU locations although I suspect that you wouldn’t walk between the many locations used in Brisbane. Happy Birthday for today!

[@agkfz]

Nice one Robert, I have been over there a few times but good to get the history

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@agkfz quite a lot of films have been shot there over the years.

[@russellbradley2779]

Thoroughly enjoyed that Rob. Thanks for posting it. Boy we used to get some big Mud Crabs out off Boggy Creek.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Russell Bradley do you know if there are still mud crabs there?

[@russellbradley2779]

@@walkaboutwithrob I think its all crabbed out by now. But I haven't tried in 20 years. Might be worth a look.

[@liamwindsor5854]

Absolutely still crabs there!

[@grahambishop263]

Wow, great video, I am hooked, but must go out on my own walk

[@Jagermonsta]

went and checked out the school today. a bit of fun . would make a great home with an interesting layout

[@NEVSCOVERYCHANNELL2]

Wow,I did Tyers for a lot of the businesses down thear, I spent a long time down there,well done mate👍

[@tajschroeder5621]

New Aussie subscriber love it bro going there someday soon can't wait to make. Video there

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Taj Schroeder awesome! Looking forward to seeing your vid!

[@bikerleo1966]

The road at the end in front of the treatment plant to the left was the road to Cribb island

[@davemarks9706]

Thanks very interesting, can’t believe you walked all that way from the Gateway Bridge out to luggage point, that’s a fair hike.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Dave Marks thanks indeed for watching. The longest walk I've done so far was from Beenleigh to Southport and that took 10 hours. Was about 45 k's all up that one.

[@liamwindsor5854]

15km one way I reckon

[@jimtekkit]

Wow the Myrtletown area is completely different now! I used to do some fishing off the jetty right next to the sewage treatment plant back in the 2000's. Brings back good memories. It was such a nice, quiet area where you could still observe interesting activity in the distance at the Brisbane Airport and Port of Brisbane. Industry is great for the economy but it's still sad to see there's almost nothing left of what I remember.

[@funkyb78]

It is almost like Delray near Zug Island, Detroit. It has an air of contamination and decay...

[@kimgee4821]

Love your video and your narrative. I meant to say , should’ve packed a lunch and Themos for coffee or tea.

[@Kolan_Koala]

Ghost town alright mate, I went there once on my bicycle, never again, there's nothing to see there. Was a small town at the end of the airport I forget the name now but its gone when the airport was built.

[@3orM00Rrecharacters]

Sometimes I feel like the tradies of our town get the best insights in to our history (unknowingly!) I wish I could go spruiking your stuff so the same amount of respect is shown to the land that you do. Having said that, the creeks and so on do seem relatively clean. Would love you to share and name thouse that weren't, so we could help do something about it. Amazing content (from NY)

[@scottnicholls7189]

Nice video, had a look around myself in 2018

[@richardhockey4543]

the school was nearer main beach rd. You can see it on on aerial photos of Brisbane. You could still see the foundations in aerial photos in the 70s

[@myfreakyvalentine]

Great footage, Rob. I remember going out driving few years back and ending up there, without knowing a thing about it. Strange place, almost expected Mad Max to come screaming by in his Interceptor !

[@aussieausdeutschland4245]

Pursuit Special actually if its the Black Hardtop you are talking about

[@cheeseburgertim1694]

It's funny you should say that, back in 2012 my then girlfriend and I went for a drive out there, as we were driving back towards Pinkemba I heard a whistling noise, looked up in the rear view mirror, and here was this black XB hardtop with supercharger right behind me. We pulled over and an exact replica of the pursuit special, and, an interceptor drove past. They both pulled over outside the Pinkemba hotel, so we pulled over to take some photos. Both these cars were 100% exact replicas of the originals, the Pursuit special even had Queensland number plates "MFP", don't know how legal is to drive on Qld roads with a fully functional supercharger, but the supercharger on this pursuit special replica was EXACTLY the same appearance and size as the original, except this one actually was hooked up to the crank, whereas the one in the movie was a prop

[@myfreakyvalentine]

@@cheeseburgertim1694 Wow, that's freaky! That must have been cool to see, wonder where they are from.?

[@darrenharvey6084]

My mothers family had farms at Myrtle town from the end of the 19th century until they were resumed in the 1960's to expand the airport . Prior road in Myrtle town was named after them .

[@chrisj1475]

It's a little sad to know that a town has almost been wiped from existence, but it's another thing to see abandoned buildings left to rot. Such a waste.

[@SteveMack]

Sad isn't it? Nice to see a clip of Jamie there too 😉

[@mrmatymoo]

Still call it "The Pink"

[@pinkenbajedi2119]

Always will be!

[@yuk-erkmckirk9277]

Same here, can't get with that stupid name it's got now. Great pub in the 70/80s. I still pop in on occasion if i go for a sunday blast on the bike with a few of us stopping for a bet and some pool.

[@tinasteer2507]

4:26 That’s a lovely old house.

[@aussieausdeutschland4245]

Back in the late 80s and early 90s, myself and mates used to go out there for illegal drag racing, and chasing rabbits and hunting wild pigs where the cruise terminal is now. There was good fishing there too next to the "Shit Chute" as we called it at Luggage Point where the sewage treatment plant emptied into the river itself. Good Time's.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Aussie Aus Deutschland I too used to do a bit of drag racing in my youth. My weapon of choice was my LJ Torana. Loved that car.

[@cheeseburgertim1694]

LOL, I remember the drags out that way in the late 80's and the "brown mullet" fishing there too, although the best street drags were across the river on port drive at fisherman's island, now the Port of Brisbane. Only problem was there was only one way in and one way out as I found out when I got busted - still have that V8 Cortina sitting in the garage all these years later, I remember all the guys who were racing there would have a fishing reel in the back seat and if the cops turned up they would quickly cast a line out and pretend to be fishing, even if it was low tide and just mud flaps, looked so funny, all these muscle cars out in the middle of nowhere at midnight all of a sudden deciding to go fishing.

[@chrismcgovern1760]

Story goes it was also a place coppers would leave naughty people after they were picked up, back in the day...

[@aussiviking604]

​@Chris McGovern I knew an old copper that did it. Used to take their shoes as well. The good ol days. 🤣

[@Sherbet4ever]

⁠@@chrismcgovern1760The Pinkenba Six.

[@paulaadams5217]

Like the music🌞🌻

[@BjAnderson26]

Many years ago before the Brisbane Cruise ship Terminal it was all waterfront land where cattle were agisted and my dad and i would go camping there and crabbing there were many shacks built along the water also till the council came and kicked everyone out and demolished them all.

[@disndat705]

Parts of Wacol are also very eerie and creepy

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Vincenzo am planning on a trip to Wacol...

[@disndat705]

@@walkaboutwithrob looking forward to it mate

[@Mercmad]

I had family living there at the boggy Creek ,close to the boat landing years ago . A house moving company owned the house they were living in which is still there. Fishing was pretty good there,as was the Crabbing. Opposite over on the other side of the water ,worm gatherers could be seen wading through mud for the Worms used for bait. On old google earth you could see the US army's boat launching ramp out lined in the water. There were also a few WW2 radar installation foundations around the place then. Around Boggy Creek ,back when my relatives were living there were a lot of homeless Men,most were very elderly so they were often invited in for BBQ's etc. One was even living in an old boat tied up on the river bank. One had been employed at the refinery as an Engineer before retiring,and for some strange reason ended up living on the river bank in a humpy. He wasn't poor and as a mark of gratitude(for meals and so on) he bought my relatives a block of land ,where he lived with them until his passing.

[@TheScubasteve2011]

Hi there, I also knew him, his name was Peter. I actually told his storey in another of Robs video comments. I met him when I was 16 and l didn’t find out he was a multi millionaire until I was in my late 20’s. He was a good man. I also remember the guy that lived in the boat died as the boat caught fire while he was asleep.

[@peterjohnston8116]

Meeandah was the site of a large Army ordnance depot for many years. Probably from WW2. My father worked there and travelled by train to Meeandah railway station. There were a small number of Army married quarters located adjacent to the depot. Hunter Brothers sewerage pan service was located around Pinkenba on the river. Good fishing spot.

[@aussiviking604]

It's still an Army depot. Go and have a beer at the Damascus club.

[@waynemcauliffe-fv5yf]

I used to work in the Meeandah Army depot 1996-2011

[@markdavidson4689]

I worked at that Army depot many years ago and occasionally we would frequent the Pinkenba Hotel for lunch :)

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@mark davidson ah so that's what that's all about. Had absolutely no idea there is an army presence there.

[@markdavidson4689]

WalkaboutWithRob yep it’s been there for a long time. I worked there 82 - 98 but it was built during WW2, by the yanks. It was an interesting place to work :) www.ozatwar.com/ozatwar/campmeeandah.htm

[@carolynbrightfield8911]

It was still tuck shop in the 1970s when I started teaching in Sydney until US tv programs started to dominate our airwaves. By 1990s, it was canteen.

[@clubgus07]

Rob yes Myrtletown probably named after Qlds favourite Myrtle tree Lemon Myrtle its sad that it had to come to this i think an area like this where air traffic noise predominate over road noise. They should have left it has farming lands, grazing lands its eerie area i see perhaps they can revive it in future they can build a terminal 3 like they did at Perth airport. Where Virgin Australia moved across to their own terminal building at Perth. Getting back to BNE airport The rail line is there at Pikemba the limitations of Terminal D and number of gates is already showing when Qantas cant find parking spot at their end they have port at Virgin Australia side and Brisbane and Se is expanding.its already getting busy at BNE airport and Olympics is not too far away. Perhaps a revival of a 3rd terminal perhaps Donestically and internationally shared like the Gold coast airport should be built in Myrtletown to revive it. I cant believe you walked over the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges i did that for Bridge to brisbane once and i was buggered. Thx for the comprehensive tour

[@MrFister84]

Always thought the roads looked a bit too organised for the middle of nowhere when I've been up around there.

[@quagini69]

the first closed takeaway shop used to be painted pink in the early to late 70's. Was a popular haunt for truckdrivers

[@683dxwww7]

Great video only just found you . You will be a main stay from now on .

[@walkaboutwithrob]

Welcome!

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

7:09 I went to school just a couple of miles from you, Rob, and in primary, we called it the Tuckshop, and in High School, we called it the Canteen.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Debi Taylor thanks for watching and your feedback, most appreciated! I come from Liverpool, how about you?

[@AlphaGeekgirl]

@@walkaboutwithrob I grew up in Liverpool too

[@lesleyroebig9392]

so sad all those houses left to rot I used to go fishing at myrtletown with my father in law

[@AbandonedOZ]

Amazing content mate! It’d be cool to collaborate one day as exploring historic and abandoned places is a passion of mine :) I’m based in Sydney but visit Brisbane regularly.

[@KeithHeinrich]

Hands up everyone whose Iphone spontaneously answered Rob's question.

[@ahall1459]

Try red hill area....heaps of nooks and crannies especially off glen rosa rd...

[@suzetteperkins1089]

Beautiful old house, hope someone saves it

[@ExodusDesign]

Don't forget the old War Forts (RAN Station 9 / Myrtletown Reserve)

[@patrickdavis8964]

Brisbane is aprick of a place to het around with out a a car

[@wheresmytail796]

Going to be a sad day when they start that freeway…..

[@liamwindsor5854]

The pinkenba post office can be seen in the Netflix show “boy swallows universe”. They did a bit of filming around there

[@phillipkrelle5661]

the pinkabah school could make a nice house or good investment or at least save the buildings maybe. this the way all schools built for years all over qld.

[@toddjensen8806]

Much appreciation for a video well done Rob. I’m from Brissy but I have never been to this place. I ended up watching your video on one screen and followed along with you on Google maps on a second. General unrelated question, are there any interviews around of you?

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Todd Jensen thanks for your feedback! Glad you enjoyed this video. Was one I particularly enjoyed making. The only interviews of me are ones from years ago regarding a film I directed. Can't even remember whose channel it was on. I should try and track it down. Why do you ask?

[@bendredge6947]

The pinky and the snack bar.the bombest place when I worked on the new brisbane domestic airport

[@bronze2956]

how can we watch the movie 'true love'? I can find trailer on imdb but no links to see it. I'd love to see a movie shot in Brisbane. I remember when pinkenba train station was still open. When we rode in trains with the windows open. We thought those on the pinkenba line lived in the middle of nowhere. i visited there once and spent night under the orange glow of lights.

[@TravvyG]

QRail should reopen the line and make it run to the new terminal, it may even help revitalise the area for residential development.

[@IBISChannel32]

2:18 - You missed the last train, mate...

[@suzetteperkins1089]

Interesting,ty

[@bellswebster5775]

Sad but historical beautiful and interesting at the same time. I enjoyed it.

[@walkaboutwithrob]

@Bells Webster thanks for watching and really glad you enjoyed it :-)

[@Bundydream]

I loved the old derelict house - what a waste.

[@jamescarney6894]

And to think Agro was a serious actor... :)

[@epicridesandtours]

It's always made me wonder what happens to titles of abandoned land. Does it return to Crown Lands after a set period? Do Councils resume the land, in lieu of unpaid rates?

[@moretunman]

Hello Rob, where can I watch the True Love short film please?