Brisbane Showgrounds, Heritage sports complex in Bowen Hills, Australia
The Brisbane Showgrounds is a heritage sports complex spanning over 50 hectares in Bowen Hills, featuring exhibition halls, playing fields, and gathering spaces. The site spreads across several areas with grandstands, pavilions, and modern event centers designed to host a wide range of activities.
The complex was founded in 1886 as a venue for agricultural fairs and rural exhibitions in Queensland. Over time it evolved into a major sports hub and hosted the region's first Test cricket match in 1928.
The name Showgrounds reflects its original purpose as the site of the Royal Queensland Show, an annual agricultural fair that brought farming communities together. Visitors can still see the old animal pavilions and stands that tell the story of how central livestock and rural traditions were to the region.
The site has multiple entry points and is best reached by car or public transport since it sits in a built-up area. It helps to check the website before visiting to see which areas or events are open to the public.
A 1939 industrial building was preserved during the site's redevelopment and its original brickwork remains visible today within a modern event center. This blending of older structures with new architecture shows how the site connects its past with contemporary use.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
