The Milton Heritage Trail links 17 stops, from a 19th century shop-house to the XXXX Brewery, tracing Milton’s shift from farms to today’s dining and sport hub.
Smith’s Shop
Built in 1888, Smith’s Shop is a rare example of a 19th century timber shop-house. It once hosted a cab business and millinery, reflecting how trades and homes shared space in Milton’s early years.
Savoir Faire
Savoir Faire opened in 1988 during Expo ’88 as Brisbane’s first alfresco dining precinct, designed by James Wharton and Roger Parkin. With brick paving, palm trees and an Eiffel Tower replica, it introduced European-style street life to Milton.
The precinct became a hub for festivals and multicultural events, while cafés like La Dolce Vita gave locals a new public space. In 2025, Brisbane Open House featured tours and performances at Savoir Faire, highlighting its lasting cultural impact.
Milton House
Milton House, built in 1853 for chemist Ambrose Eldridge, is one of Brisbane’s oldest Colonial Georgian homes. Originally a 30-acre homestead, it later housed women students under the Presbyterian Church. In the 20th century, it became part of the Kings Row Office Park.
Listed on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1992, it has since undergone restoration to preserve its character. The house is rarely open, but during Brisbane Open House 2025 it offered self-guided tours to the public.
Salvation Army Rescue Home
From 1888, the Salvation Army Rescue Home sheltered vulnerable women and single mothers when public support did not exist. Operated by female “Rescue Sisters,” it provided medical care, domestic training and safety.
John Oxley
Surveyor John Oxley mapped this reach of the Brisbane River in 1823 and 1824. His journals identified Western Creek as suitable for settlement, placing Milton at the origins of Brisbane’s European history.
Cook Terrace
Cook Terrace was built in 1888–89 as a row of Victorian rental houses. Once prestigious riverfront addresses, the terraces later declined before being restored in the 1980s for commercial use.
Milton and Floods
Milton has always been flood-prone. The 1893 disaster displaced hundreds of residents, and in 2011 floodwaters again inundated the suburb, reaching the brewery and Suncorp Stadium.
Coronation Motel
Opened in 1964, the Coronation Motel became one of Brisbane’s most fashionable venues. With underground parking, a pool and celebrity guests, it marked the rise of postwar motoring culture.
John Hicks Ltd
The Hixco furniture factory opened in 1911, producing fine Queensland timber furniture. Its presence underlined Milton’s early reputation for industry and craftsmanship.
Cribb Street Terrace Houses
Two rows of Victorian terrace houses were built between 1887 and 1890 along Cribb Street. They provided working-class housing before being demolished in the 1960s after repeated flooding.
Milton Sanitary Disposal Depot
Operating until 1949, the depot processed sewage and burned rubbish, its chimney a landmark on Cribb Street. It reflected the challenges of sanitation before modern sewerage systems.
Milton Tramway Workshops
From 1930, the workshops maintained Brisbane’s trams and during World War II also produced equipment and dummy guns. The site tied Milton to both transport and wartime contributions.
Milton’s Industry
Factories thrived in Milton through the 20th century. Morrows’ Biscuit Factory, which later merged into Arnott’s, filled the suburb with the smell of baking until production shifted in the 1990s.
Lang Park and Christ Church Anglican Church
This site began as Brisbane’s first cemetery before becoming Lang Park and later Suncorp Stadium. Beside it, Christ Church, built in 1891, remains a leading example of Queensland timber church design.
World War II Air Raid Shelter
The concrete air raid shelter on Railway Terrace reflects fears of Japanese attack after 1942. Built by council, it was designed to later serve as a bus shelter, a reminder of wartime planning.
XXXX Brewery
The XXXX Brewery has brewed on Milton Road since the 1870s, producing one of Queensland’s most recognised beers. Its red brick tower and neon sign are listed heritage features.
In 2025, a court approved the brewery’s plan to expand ethanol storage with three new 40,000-litre tanks, despite opposition from the Anglican Church. Lion, the brewery’s owner, also pledged a $5 million investment to support new drink lines, including seltzers.
Bishopsbourne
Built in the 1860s for Brisbane’s first Anglican bishop, Bishopsbourne became home to St Francis’ Theological College. Its chapel, designed by architect Robin Dods, remains a highlight of the grounds.
The Anglican Church, which owns the site, opposed the brewery’s ethanol expansion over safety and heritage concerns. The challenge failed in court, but Bishopsbourne remains central to ongoing discussions about balancing heritage with industrial growth nearby.
Balancing Growth and Preservation
Milton faces redevelopment pressures, with towers planned along Coronation Drive and new investment in historic sites. Heritage places like Milton House are being restored, while Cook Terrace and the XXXX Brewery adapt to commercial use.
Reduced ferry services have also changed how people access the area. The Milton Heritage Trail highlights these layers of history, showing how heritage and growth continue to intersect in the suburb.
Updated 1-November-2025.
