South African War Memorial, Brisbane

The South African War Memorial is a life-size bronze statue of a mounted infantryman standing on a trachyte pedestal at 228 Adelaide Street. The figure depicts a soldier in full military kit typical of the conflict period.

The memorial was created to honor 89 Queensland soldiers who died in the conflict from 1899 to 1902. This war marked the first time the colony sent troops to fight overseas.

The memorial's name reflects Queensland's first military involvement abroad, and this historical connection gives it deeper meaning for locals and visitors alike. The inscriptions on the pedestal tell stories of what this conflict meant to the region's identity.

The memorial sits in a central location and is easy to reach on foot while walking through Brisbane. Visitors can view it at any time since it stands in an open public space.

The bronze plaques on the pedestal display fine details such as the Queensland hat badge, emu feather ornaments, and even the horse branding marks. These crafted details are often overlooked by visitors even though they offer valuable insights into military history.

Location: Queensland

GPS coordinates: -27.46660,153.02700

Latest update: December 14, 2025 18:20