Convict Brisbane Walking Tour

Explore Brisbane's colonial history on this guided tour through the city's convict past. Beginning at the historic Windmill on Wickham Terrace and winding down to the river at Queens Wharf, the tour traces Brisbane's transformation between 1823 and 1842 - from a remote penal outpost to an emerging free town. Hear stories of convicts and commandants, revealing how punishment, labour and authority shaped daily life. Along the way, our guides bring the settlement into focus, illuminating the social fabric and living conditions, as well as the central role of the Brisbane River in sustaining the colony. Woven throughout the tour are First Peoples' responses to British settlement, their enduring connection to Country, and the Frontier wars that directly followed this era. Together, these intersecting stories offer a deeper understanding of how Brisbane grew from its earliest foundations into a regional centre. Tour highlights include: The Windmill, The Brisbane Crest, The Petrie Tableau, Convict-built structures and surviving remnants, Miller Park and the Commissariat Stores, Queens Wharf and, the Brisbane River. This 90‑minute, 1.75km tour is designed to suit most fitness levels, however, please note it includes walking downhill along city streets and across uneven surfaces. For more information about accessibility requirements, please refer to the Museum of Brisbane FAQs. Museum of Brisbane is Brisbane City Council's leading history and art museum where you can experience our city's vibrant culture.