Built by convicts in 1828 to grind grain for what was then the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement, the Old Windmill has a gory past. Despite the windmill’s hilltop position, the breeze wasn’t strong enough to turn its heavy sails, so unfortunate convicts wearing leg irons operated a treadmill to keep it running. In 1841, authorities hanged two Indigenous men here for murdering surveyors who had strayed onto sacred land. Over time, the Old Windmill’s appearance has changed significantly, and is now encased in scored cement.
The Old Windmill is worth a look for history buffs.
Despite the park's surroundings, it’s hard to get a clear photo of the Old Windmill.
Observatory Park is wheelchair-accessible.
The Old Windmill stands in Brisbane’s Observatory Park in the central suburb of Spring Hill, just north of the Central Business District. It’s about a 5-minute walk from Brisbane Central railway station and around the same distance from paid parking at Wickham Terrace Car Park.
It’s not possible to enter the Old Windmill except on special heritage occasions, but you can stop by the park any time. It’s best to visit during daylight hours for a better view.
Spring Hill is one of Brisbane’s oldest residential neighborhoods, home to historic terrace cottages, heritage buildings, and the beautifully photogenic Fortescue Street. Spring Hill Baths, first built in 1886, is a heritage-listed swimming pool that boasts brightly colored traditional changing rooms. The Spring Hill Reservoir, a spectacular underground cistern that once held Brisbane’s main water supply, is now a performance space.
