Milton Archives - Milton Today

Milton Musical Brings Women’s Stories To The Stage In Support Of DVConnect

A Milton theatre will host a musical celebration of women who challenged expectations, as Well-Behaved Women brings stories of artists, survivors, athletes and icons to PIP Theatre while raising support for DVConnect.

Rule-Breakers Take The Milton Stage

Footlights Theatrical Inc will present Well-Behaved Women at PIP Theatre in Milton, bringing together musical storytelling, Brisbane performance talent and a fundraising effort for DVConnect.

The contemporary musical revue was written by Australian-born Grammy Award-winning composer and lyricist Carmel Dean. Presented as a song cycle, the production follows women from history who challenged expectations, refused silence and left a lasting mark through courage, creativity or influence.

The Milton season will run on 5 and 6 June 2026, with performances scheduled for Friday evening, Saturday afternoon and Saturday evening. The production is recommended for audiences aged 10 and above and runs for more than 90 minutes.

BUY TICKETS

The show features figures including Frida Kahlo, Cleopatra, Mary Magdalene and Cathy Freeman, with performers using music to tell stories of warriors, queens, survivors, artists, athletes, mothers, wives, icons and outlaws.

Brisbane Performers Bring The Revue To Life

The production will feature musical theatre talent from Southeast Queensland and will be directed by Roslyn Johnson.

The show continues its focus on creating performance opportunities across local Brisbane venues. The boutique theatrical company presents cabaret nights, musicals and plays, with an emphasis on high-quality performers and varied productions.

The group began after founder Colin Foot staged Tell Me on a Sunday in 2016, supported by a group of strong vocalists. The cast and crew later formed an independent theatre ensemble to continue offering boutique theatre opportunities to performers.

That background fits closely with Well-Behaved Women, which is built around vocal storytelling and a series of individual women’s stories. The production uses song to move between figures from history and culture, giving each story its own place within the broader revue.

Supporting DVConnect Through Theatre

The Milton performances will raise funds and awareness for DVConnect, a Queensland service supporting women affected by violence and abuse.

Audience members will be encouraged to donate through QR codes available at the theatre. A special preview performance will also be held on 4 June 2026, with invited guests able to attend by making a minimum $10 donation to DVConnect instead of paying a standard ticket price.

The fundraising element gives the production a purpose beyond the stage. While the musical centres on women who challenged limits, the season also directs attention towards support for women experiencing violence and abuse.

Tickets for the ticketed performances are priced at $35 to $40, with a booking fee. PIP Theatre’s Level 2 Theatre is fully accessible by foyer lift, with dedicated accessibility spaces and wheelchair-accessible amenities available.

Located at 20 Park Road in Milton, PIP Theatre has parking spaces under the theatre in the Savoir Faire Car Park, with street parking also available along Park Road and surrounding streets.

Well-Behaved Women offers a local theatre event shaped by music, history and support for DVConnect, with Footlights Theatrical Inc using the stage to connect performance with a wider community cause.

Updated 21-May-2026

Sporting Legends Launch New Multi-Level Social Hub in Milton

Photo Credit: Milton Brisbane

Queensland sporting icons Cameron Munster and Josh Dunkley are transforming the famous Caxton Street landscape by launching a massive three-level social hub in Milton that promises to unite local fans under one roof.

From the Sidelines to the Streets

social hub — *Photo Credit:* *Milton Brisbane*

The project marks a major move for the Maroons captain and the Brisbane Lions star as they trade the playing field for the hospitality industry. By choosing a location so close to Suncorp Stadium, the owners aim to create a space where the local community can gather to support their teams regardless of which code they follow.

The venue acts as a bridge between professional athletes and the people who cheer for them, offering a place that feels like a shared clubhouse for the entire neighbourhood.

Three Levels of Entertainment

Fans can find different experiences across the three distinct floors of the building. The ground level houses a traditional sports bar area where large screens show everything from NRL and AFL to international events like the NBA and Formula 1.

For those who prefer a bit of fresh air and sunshine, the rooftop terrace provides a spot to enjoy the outdoors with views stretching toward the nearby stadium. Hidden away beneath the street, a space called the Locker Room serves as a spot for private parties, live music, and late-night gatherings after the final whistle blows.

Modern Food and Local Vibes

The kitchen staff serve a menu that takes familiar pub meals and gives them a high-quality upgrade. One of the standout items is a wagyu beef burger named after Munster himself, sitting alongside plenty of snacks designed to be shared among groups of mates during a game.

The venue stays active throughout the week with more than just sport, hosting cocktail classes and nights for local performers to take the stage. It is expected to become a key part of the local economy, providing jobs and a fresh reason for people to visit the precinct.

Planning Your Visit

The doors are set to stay open late into the night, particularly on weekends when the energy of the city is at its highest. While the bar opens mid-afternoon during the week, it starts serving from midday on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday to cater to the lunch crowds and early kick-offs. The official launch is scheduled for Tuesday, 12 May, which aligns with the arrival of the popular Magic Round weekend in Brisbane.

Published Date 17-May-2026

Cherry-Picker Rescue After Fire Breaks Out at Milton Building

Photo Credit: manswos/Reddit

A person has been brought to safety from a seven-storey building in Milton after fire broke out on the upper levels, sending smoke from a Little Cribb Street structure near Suncorp Stadium.

Smoke Seen From Milton Building

Emergency crews were called to the Milton Green precinct shortly before 2 pm on Wednesday, 6 May, after smoke was reported coming from the roof area of the mixed-use commercial and residential building.

The fire was mostly contained to the top floor of the structure, which measured about 40 metres by 40 metres. Another report said the blaze later reached the sixth storey before it was brought under control.

The building had been undergoing construction work for about a year, with scaffolding still attached to the outside.

fire rooftop rescue — Photo Credit: calrafbetterthanmods/Reddit

Person Rescued From Upper Level

Firefighters searched the building and found a person on the upper level. They could not be brought down on foot because of concerns about the condition of the structure during the fire response.

Crews instead used a cherry-picker to lower the person safely from the rooftop area shortly before 3 pm.

Paramedics treated the person at the scene after the rescue, while fire crews continued working around the building.

Brisbane fire — Photo Credit: Nachtagon/Reddit

Little Cribb Street Closed During Response

About 10 fire crews responded to the incident, with firefighters managing the blaze and rescue operation as smoke rose from the upper levels.

The fire was reported as contained by about 2:15 pm to 2:20 pm, although crews remained on site afterwards.

A section of Little Cribb Street was closed during the response, and traffic was disrupted nearby, including lane reductions on Caxton Street in Petrie Terrace.

Tenants in other buildings within the Milton Green precinct were advised not to evacuate while the incident was being managed.

The cause of the fire had not been confirmed.

Published 7-May-2026

From Gympie to Germany: Sam Klein Seals Bundesliga Move With St. Pauli

FC St Pauli

Brisbane Roar confirmed that central midfielder Sam Klein has signed for German Bundesliga club FC St. Pauli, in a deal the A-League club describes as one of the most significant outbound transfers in its history.

The 22-year-old Gympie athlete, who also holds Norwegian citizenship, will join the Hamburg-based club ahead of the 2026-27 Bundesliga season, moving into one of world football’s top five leagues after two seasons as a first-team regular at Brisbane Roar.

The transfer includes a significant fee and a sell-on agreement that gives the Roar a share of any future transfer involving Klein, meaning Brisbane continues to benefit financially as his career develops.

A road that was never going to be straight

Klein’s journey to the Bundesliga took him through the Football Queensland pathway system before he was scouted into the Brisbane Roar Academy, where he first arrived in January 2021 and spent his early years developing through the under-21s.

Restless for professional senior football, he left the club to try his luck in Scandinavia, seeking the kind of regular game time that can make or break a young career. It did not deliver the breakthrough he needed.

He returned to Australia and signed with Gold Coast Knights in the NPL Queensland competition, continuing to develop his game in the domestic second tier. Brisbane Roar had kept a close eye on his progress, and in September 2024 they brought him back. This time the path ran in the right direction.

Sam Klein — Photo Credit: Gold Coast Knights F.C./Facebook

Klein made 19 appearances and scored five goals in the 2024-25 A-League Men’s season, enough to cement a starting position heading into 2025-26. This season he delivered 25 appearances, four goals and an assist, playing every minute of the Roar’s last 17 matches before missing just one game through concussion.

In all competitions, he made 46 appearances for Brisbane, registering nine goals and one assist. It was the consistency of that output that caught St. Pauli’s attention.

A midfield profile built for St. Pauli

St. Pauli head coach Alexander Blessin was clear about what attracted the club to Klein. “Sam boasts exciting skills that enable him to occupy a number of roles in central midfield,” Blessin said. “He combines good anticipation and vision with accurate passing, and also looks to get on the scoresheet himself. He’s aggressive in defence and doesn’t hold back in his efforts to win back possession.”

At 1.88 metres, Klein is also a significant aerial presence, adding a dimension to St. Pauli’s midfield options that their director of sport Andreas Bornemann highlighted as a key factor in the club’s decision to sign him.

Klein arrives at St. Pauli to link up with two fellow Australians, Socceroos captain Jackson Irvine and midfielder Connor Metcalfe, giving Hamburg a remarkably strong Australian contingent. He has also represented Australia at the youth international level, earning call-ups to the Under-20 setup and debuting for the Under-23 side.

Whether Klein debuts in the Bundesliga or the second division will depend on how St. Pauli resolve their current season. At the time of the announcement, the Hamburg club sat one point clear of the Bundesliga relegation zone with three rounds remaining, meaning Klein arrives into a club with high stakes football still to be decided.

A club that is becoming a genuine export pathway

Klein’s transfer follows a productive season for Brisbane Roar in the international market. Lucas Herrington moved to Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, while on the women’s side, Leia Varley signed for German second-division side 1. FC Nürnberg. Together with Klein’s move, it signals a Roar capable of developing and exporting talent at multiple levels and to multiple markets.

Brisbane Roar Chief Operating Officer Zac Anderson described the deal as evidence of the club’s broader purpose. “Sam is a Queenslander who has always supported the Roar, and that passion has shown through in his performances,” Anderson said.

“Nothing has been given to Sam, he has had to work hard for every professional opportunity, and we couldn’t be happier to see one of our own progress to a top five league globally. This deal is important, as it’s another piece of evidence that Brisbane Roar is a genuine springboard for young Queensland and Australian talent to reach the top of the world game.”

Klein’s mother, Francis, captured the family’s joy with equal clarity. “It’s been Sam’s dream to play professionally in Europe for as long as he’s been kicking a ball,” she said. “To see it, as a family, come to fruition is incredibly special.”

Klein himself was characteristically grounded. “To go from playing football in Gympie to running out for a club like FC St. Pauli is something I never imagined would happen,” he said. “I owe an enormous amount to Brisbane Roar, the coaches, the staff and the supporters who backed me from day one. The Roar is where I started and you’ll always hold a special place in my heart.”

Published 5-May-2026

Milton Streets Come Alive with Vibrant Artworks on Signal Boxes

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The streets of Milton have been transformed into an open-air gallery, with local residents painting vibrant artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the suburb. These eye-catching installations celebrate everything from local stories to community connections, turning everyday street furniture into conversation starters.

Koi

Located at the corner of Park Road and Douglas Street, this traffic signal box features multiple koi fish swimming among pond plants. Created by Ashleigh Westmoreland with assistance from Anna Ilyshechkin, Thomas Magree and Skye Baldock, the artwork draws parallels between the tranquillity of the Brisbane River and the bustling energy of Milton’s commercial centre. The piece incorporates the word “harmony” written in 35 languages across the top section, acknowledging Milton’s multicultural character reflected in its diverse dining scene and community events. The box was completed in April 2020 and received a nomination for overall winner.

Our Backyard

The intersection of Milton Road and Castlemaine Street showcases native Australian fauna rendered in a vibrant pop art colour palette. This 2021 artwork was designed and painted by Australian Defence Force veterans with support from Mates4Mates, a charity supporting defence personnel impacted by service-related injury or illness. Brienne Gibbs, a liaison officer with the organisation, facilitated the project. The playful colour scheme aims to remind passersby of the native creatures that share Brisbane’s urban environment whilst highlighting the responsibility to care for local wildlife.

Spots

At Milton Road and Cribb Street, Kirsten Baade’s geometric exploration uses colour and shape to reflect Milton’s dynamic character as a suburb. Completed in January 2017, the abstract design earned nominations for both overall winner and best adult categories.

Toot Toot Beep Beep Hoot Hoot Tweet Tweet

Anyone who has sat in peak-hour congestion along Milton Road will appreciate Bronte Mark’s lighthearted take on the daily commute at 291 Milton Road. The 2023 artwork depicts various vehicles—buses, electric cars, family vehicles and even someone towing a moving trailer—in a colourful, whimsical style. The piece earned the best Energex box award in 2023. Mark’s intention was to help commuters find humour in the shared experience of traffic whilst walkers might feel grateful for their freedom of movement.

Kookaburra Sits in the Old Gum Tree…Deconstructed

Alexandra Westaway’s 2017 piece at the busy intersection of Milton Road, Baroona Road and Park Road takes inspiration from the classic Australian children’s song. The artwork features a rainbow backdrop in colours representing the natural Australian landscape—volcanic soil reds, sky and sea blues, and the varied hues of native flora and birdlife. The piece, which earned nominations for overall winner and best adult, poses questions about the impact of rapid urban development on Brisbane’s natural spaces and quality of life.

Footy, Fireworks, Fans, Festivities and Fun!

Helen Lucas and Gemma Lucas’s 2025 design at Caxton Street and Hale Street pays tribute to the energy and excitement of Milton’s entertainment and sports precinct. The artwork acknowledges Lang Park Stadium’s 30th anniversary in 2025, capturing the diverse events hosted at the venue—from rugby codes to concerts and major football matches. The background incorporates the area’s history as native bushland, burial ground and parkland, whilst fireworks gesture towards Brisbane’s 2032 Olympic Games hosting duties.

About Artforce Brisbane

These artworks are part of Artforce Brisbane, an annual community art programme run by Brisbane City Council since 1999. The initiative invites Brisbane residents of all ages, abilities and backgrounds to paint original artworks on traffic signal boxes throughout the city’s suburbs. More than 5,000 volunteers have painted over 1,200 boxes across Brisbane, celebrating local characters, cultures, histories and landmarks while reducing graffiti and vandalism. The programme is managed by Artfully, a Brisbane-based arts consultancy specialising in public art and placemaking. Each year, approximately 80 painting opportunities become available as the council upgrades intersections and replaces old cabinets.

Residents interested in participating can register at the Artforce Brisbane website or email info@artforcebrisbane.com.au for more information.

Published 26-December-2025
Updated 19-April-2026

Discover the Beginnings of the Iconic Cook Terrace in Milton

Cook Terrace in Milton is considered an iconic landmark in the suburb. The building’s elegant and well-preserved features significantly contribute to the Coronation Drive riverscape and streetscape.

Currently, Cook Terrace is one of the few intact and surviving nineteenth-century terraces in Brisbane. Along with the changing times, the heritage-listed structure has been an important part of many people’s lives, especially when it was converted to flats, catering to many students as well as families in the 1960s and 1970s.

History of Cook Terrace

In September 1888, Brisbane builder Joseph Blain Cook acquired the title to subdivisions 1 to 6 of the Milton House estate, a section of the prime real estate along the Brisbane River, from John Frederick McDougall.

After his acquisition, he raised a mortgage of £6,000 on the property to finance construction of the terrace.

Cook initially constructed the building as a two-storeyed brick row of six houses in 1888-1889. He built the first house in late 1888 whilst the remainder of the row was completed in 1889. The architect of the terrace is unknown.

The terrace was built as a rental property since the Queensland Undue Subdivision of Land Prevention Act of 1885 prohibits the granting of titles to individual terrace houses.

The enterprise might have been promising at the time, however, within two years of construction, Cook was declared insolvent. As a result, the terrace was passed to his mortgagees.

Milton Terrace

Cook Terrace, Coronation Drive, Milton, Brisbane, 1945. Photo credit: Queensland State Archives, Digital Image ID 536

The property was known as Milton Terrace in 1895. With its river views and breezes as well as its proximity to the centre of town, the terrace remained as one of Brisbane’s more prestigious rental addresses. This went on until the twentieth century. The property was attracting mainly professional and white-collar tenants at the time.

The Rourke family owned the terrace from 1895. It is likely that they were responsible for adding a southwestern verandah and dome room.

Cook Terrace (2009). Photo credit: Heritage Branch staff

Each house had been subdivided into at least two flats by 1920. Builder Simon Smith acquired the property in 1923. He may have been responsible for removing the front parapet and installing dormer windows.

In the 1930s, the name Milton Terrace was lost. Consequently, the houses were known collectively as Gloralgar Flats by the end of the decade.

During the Second World War, it was believed that army authorities rented the flats for officer accommodation.

After the war, the verandahs were enclosed and the six houses were further converted into twenty-seven flats which were considered something of a bohemian retreat.

The building remained as a visual landmark along Coronation Drive despite its decline. The terrace was then refurbished and recycled as offices and a restaurant in 1984.

Cook Terrace Now

Cook Terrace in 1980 and 2018. Photo credit: Passing Time/Facebook

Cook Terrace continues to marvel passersby with its exquisite architecture. The restaurant side of the property has seen a few restaurants come and go. This includes the famous Joseph Alexanders and Wilsons on the River.

The historic building has been added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 21 October 1992.

Today, Cook Terrace is home to several corporate offices. It was also the site of a Mediterranean restaurant, at one point.

Updated 16-April-2026

Historic Homes in Brisbane: Milton House

One of the oldest surviving houses in Brisbane, Milton House is arguably the most significant landmark in the suburb.

The heritage-listed residence has been home to prominent personalities in Milton over the years. The house is also particularly special since this is where the suburb got its name.

Milton House helps in telling the story of Queensland’s history because of its association with important early agricultural experimentation and the pastoral development of the western suburbs. In fact, Milton house is the first substantial house in the western suburbs.

Get to know the history of Milton House and the important personalities that helped shape the suburb.

History of Milton House

*BRISBANE’S HISTORIC HOMES, XLV.—MILTON HOUSE, MILTON. (1931, January 8). The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld. : 1866 – 1939), p. 37. Photo credit:* *National Library of Australia*

Built around 1852 or 1853 for retired Queen Street chemist Ambrose Eldridge, Milton House was the first substantial house in the area. The remarkable residence instantly became a local landmark.

Milton House was the base for Eldridge’s experimental farming. At the time, Moreton Bay region was still struggling to establish itself. Later, the home became the centre for JF McDougall’s considerable pastoral holdings in the area.

Ambrose Eldridge

*Panoramic view of Milton, showing Milton House in the middle distance, ca. 1874. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image number: 66141.*

Despite having little knowledge of farming, Eldridge bought over 30 acres of land along the northern bank of the Brisbane River in 1851. He then named it Milton Farm after his birthplace which was Greater Milton, near Oxford, England.

Eldridge experimented with cotton growing to prove that agriculture at Moreton Bay is both sustainable and profitable. He was initially one of the most successful cotton growers in the area.

In 1853, his cotton experiment was successful that his samples of cotton sent to Sydney in a government-sponsored competition won first prize. He also sent samples of the Milton cotton to the Paris Exhibition of 1855, where it was highly acclaimed.

With the hopes of expanding his efforts to promoting sustainable local farming in Brisbane, Eldridge took a lease of approximately 400 acres of land at Eagle Farm. He later sold the Milton Estate to pastoralist John Frederick McDougall in January 1856.

Unfortunately, Eldridge’s Eagle Farm experiment seems to have failed which forced him to go back to the chemist business in 1859. He sadly died a year after, leaving his family penniless.

Notable Residents of Milton House

*Milton House, Milton, ca. 1870. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland.*

After acquiring the land, JF McDougall, a member of the first Queensland Legislative Council, farmed the Milton Estate and enlarged the house considerably.

The McDougalls then lived at Rosalie Station and let Milton from 1864.

Well-known personalities that have lived in the house included Arthur Manning, the Colonial Under-Secretary; Henry Walsh, MLC and speaker of the Legislative Assembly; and James Crombie.

Milton house later gave its name to the local suburb, whilst neighbouring Rosalie took its name from McDougall’s Darling Downs property.

After a few years of tenancy, Milton Farm was sold to the Queensland Investment and Land Mortgage Co. Ltd in 1885. The estate was then subdivided for residential development at a time when the newly created streets of McDougall, Manning, Walsh, and Crombie were named after previous owners or occupiers of Milton House.

*Side view of Milton House with the Manning family on the verandah, 1868. Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland. Image Number: 63477*

Other owners and occupiers of the historic home include:

The Commissioner of Police, David Thompson Seymour (1887).
Dr Hugh Bell, a noted physician and consultant at the Brisbane General Hospital for forty years (1888).
Grain merchant William Siemon and his family, who bought the estate in 1904 and renovated the premises in 1922.

The Siemon family then gave the property to the Presbyterian Church in 1955. The church used the Milton House as a hostel for women college students until 1983.

The building subsequently became part of the Kings Row Corporate Park development, at which time it was refurbished to resemble its outward appearance of the 1860s.

Milton House Now

*The Milton House in 2018. Photo credit:* *kgbo/Wikimedia Commons*

Today, Milton House remains to be a significant landmark in the suburb. It is currently one of the sites of Brisbane City Council’s Milton Heritage Trail.

The home still stands out with its striking features of Colonial Georgian architecture. Despite the developments that currently surrounds the heritage-listed home, a glimpse at the historic home reminds locals of its rich and valuable history.

Updated 18-April-2026

Foo Fighters Bring the Take Cover Tour to Suncorp Stadium in November

The Foo Fighters are returning to Brisbane for the first time since 2023, with Suncorp Stadium in Milton set to host the band on Thursday, November 5 as the opening night of their Take Cover Australian and New Zealand stadium tour.

The announcement has been building for weeks, following the band’s history-making one-off concert in Launceston in January 2026, where Dave Grohl promised the crowd the Foos would be back sooner than expected. The band has now locked in nine stadium dates, kicking off in Brisbane in November 2026 before heading across the country and wrapping up in Perth in January 2027. The Brisbane show will open the tour.

For Milton locals and the broader inner-Brisbane community, Suncorp Stadium is a well-worn venue for big rock nights. The Foos have played the ground before on their 2023 run, and the familiarity of the setting is part of the appeal: a stadium that functions as a genuine community gathering point, not just a concert shed.

A New Album and a New Era

The timing of the tour could not be better for fans hungry for fresh material. The band’s 12th studio album, Your Favorite Toy, is due for release on April 24, ahead of the Take Cover tour dates. The band recorded the album at home and co-produced it with Oliver Roman. It marks their first studio release with new drummer Ilan Rubin, who joined after Josh Freese left the band in 2025.

Supporting Acts and a Regional Flavour

Dave Grohl has described the new record as featuring noisy, loud bangers that are uptempo and reminiscent of the band’s earlier work. The title track, already streaming now, pairs crunchy guitars with a propulsive rhythm and an infectious chorus. By November, Brisbane audiences will have had seven months to get to know the new material, and the setlist is set to mix it with three decades of favourites — from Everlong and The Pretender to whatever the Foos choose to unleash from the new record.

View this post on Instagram

The Brisbane show features local and national supports in Full Flower Moon Band, a Brisbane act, alongside Byron Bay’s Mini Skirt. The Foos have handpicked 16 different Australian and New Zealand acts across the full tour, reflecting the band’s long-standing commitment to giving emerging local artists a platform on the biggest possible stages.

The tour is notable for including concerts in Townsville and Newcastle alongside the major capitals, giving regional audiences a rare chance to see one of rock’s biggest drawcards without travelling to Sydney or Melbourne. The Foo Fighters have made 15 visits to Australia to date, and have shifted over 1.8 million records in the country, with nine number one albums.

How to Get Tickets

A Frontier Members presale opens on Monday, February 23 at noon Queensland time. General public tickets go on sale Wednesday, February 25 at noon. The Brisbane show is a licensed all-ages event. Full ticket and tour information is available here.

Published 23-February-2026. Updated 15-March-2026

Queensland Reds Face Crucial Early Test Against the Highlanders in Milton

Photo Credit: Adapted from an image from the Reds Media Team

This isn’t just Round 2. This is where seasons either steady, or start to slip.

After a 36–12 season-opening loss to the Waratahs, a game that remained within reach past the hour mark, the Queensland Reds return for a Friday night match to their spiritual and competitive centre, the Suncorp Stadium in Milton.

With key Wallabies returning, combinations re-forming and a home crowd behind them, this is Queensland’s first real chance to define 2026 on their terms.

Match details
Friday, 27 February 2026
6:35pm AEST (Brisbane time)
Suncorp Stadium, Milton
Watch live on Stan Sport

The Caxton Street walk will feel different this week. Sharper. More urgent. The noise won’t be hopeful. It will be expectant.

The Context: Lessons From Sydney

The scoreline in Sydney flattered the Waratahs late. For over an hour, the Reds were in the contest. But at this level, margins harden quickly.

Captain Fraser McReight has spoken about two priorities since that night:

managing referee dialogue in high-pressure moments
tightening the “little moments” that accumulate over 80 minutes

There has been no talk of overhaul at Ballymore — only improvement.

Across the competition, the benchmark has already been set. The Brumbies’ 50–24 dismantling of the Crusaders in Christchurch signalled that Australian sides can dictate terms. McReight has acknowledged it as a standard to chase, but without emotional overreach.

The Reds’ focus remains internal.

Reinforcements: Experience Returns

In Round 1, Queensland carried an injury list of 11 players, including influential Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson and both frontline flyhalves, Tom Lynagh and Carter Gordon.

This week looks different.

Wilson returns at No.8 in his seventh Super Rugby season, fresh from inclusion in World Rugby’s 2025 Dream Team of the Year. His presence restores balance to the back row.

Gordon starts at flyhalf for his Reds Super Rugby debut, as a player who first signed with the club at 17 and now gets his moment under lights at Suncorp. He partners Sunshine Coast product Louis Werchon in the halves.

Lynagh remains sidelined as coach Les Kiss maintains a measured approach following a disrupted 2025 season that included concussions and hamstring issues. The club is prioritising longevity over urgency.

Four additional Wallabies strengthen the 23-man squad, including Filipo Daugunu, Josh Nasser and Kalani Thomas off the bench.

Team List Breakdown

Queensland Reds Feb 27 lineup at Suncorp Stadium — As of Feb 25. Photo Credit: Facebook/Queensland Reds

This is a side selected for control and physical authority.

Front Row:
Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler and Zane Nonggorr form an all-Wallabies trio capable of setting scrum tone early. Jeffery Toomaga-Allen reinforces the platform late.

Second Row:
Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto provide height and edge at lineout and in contact.

Back Row:
Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c) and Harry Wilson — breakdown pressure, defensive volume and carry power in balance.

Halves:
Werchon’s tempo and Gordon’s tactical kicking will dictate field position.

Midfield and Backfield:
Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook provide directness through the middle, while Jock Campbell’s composure at fullback remains essential against a Highlanders side known for variation.

Impact Bench:
Daugunu offers finishing strike. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips provides flexibility at No.10. Kalani Thomas is capable of shifting momentum late.

This is not experimentation. It is reinforcement.

Highlanders Bring Continuity and Experience Off the Bench

The Highlanders arrive in Brisbane backing continuity for their first away game of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season.

Head coach Jamie Joseph has made just two changes to the starting XV that fell four points short in a narrow loss to the Chiefs in Round Two.

Will Stodart has been promoted to the starting side with Oliver Haig shifting to the bench, while Adam Lennox comes into the No.9 jersey and Folau Fakatava moves to the reserves.

The bigger story may be on the bench.

After Henry Bell and Josh Bartlett filled reserve front-row roles last week, Soane Vikena and Daniel Lienert-Brown are set to provide impact against Queensland. This is a clear injection of experience as Joseph looks to ensure his side finishes stronger than it started.

The Highlanders coach acknowledged the challenge awaiting in Milton.

“The Reds are coming off a bye and they’ve got a proud record at home,” Joseph said.

“Our game is growing, and we’re working hard on the small details that will help us deliver a more complete 80-minute performance. We’ll need that level of accuracy and intensity if we’re going to get the job done on Friday,” he added.

For a side that pushed the Chiefs deep into the contest, the message is clear: Brisbane is about precision across the full 80.

Why Suncorp Matters

The Reds have won 10 of their 14 matches at Suncorp Stadium across the 2024 and 2025 seasons in Super Rugby Pacific.

The venue compresses noise. Momentum builds quickly. Visiting teams feel pressure compound.

Hooker Matt Faessler described it this week as a “unique ecosystem” — the Caxton Street run-in, the proximity of the crowd, the surge once Queensland gain ascendancy.

For both sides seeking early-season traction, there is no better stage.

The Run Ahead

Friday is the immediate focus, but the schedule sharpens quickly: (All schedules as of press time)

ACT Brumbies (away) – Saturday, 7 March, 6:35pm
Waratahs (home) – Friday, 14 March, 6:35pm
Fijian Drua (away) – 21 March, 1:35pm

That stretch will shape the narrative of the opening month.

A win over the Highlanders does more than level the ledger. It builds authority before facing Australian heavyweights again.

The Stakes

The Reds have reached the semi-finals in each of the past two seasons. The ambition in 2026 is to go further.

The Waratahs sit unbeaten. The Brumbies have fired an early statement.

Queensland’s response begins in Milton.

Kick-off is 6:35pm AEST at Suncorp Stadium, streaming live on Stan Sport.

By full-time on Friday night, we’ll know whether this was simply a home fixture, or the moment the Reds re-established their edge.

Under lights. At Suncorp. With the season waiting.

Published 26-February-2026

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Marks 75th Anniversary With Historic Four-Night Run at Milton’s Suncorp Stadium

RACQ

More than 1,000 performers from 13 countries have descended on Milton this week as the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo brings its 75th anniversary milestone show exclusively to Suncorp Stadium from February 12 to 15, marking the first time any act has delivered four consecutive nights at the iconic venue.

Over 800 musicians flew into Brisbane over the weekend to join the globally diverse cast for “The Heroes Who Made Us,” the Tattoo’s 75th anniversary production celebrating the heroes who have shaped and supported the iconic performance over 75 years. The four-night exclusive Brisbane season represents the Tattoo’s first visit to Queensland and one of its most ambitious international stadium productions to date.

Creative Director Alan Lane said transforming over 1,000 cast members into one seamless production in just a few days is the unique challenge that defines the Tattoo. The cast has been undertaking intensive full-scale rehearsals at Suncorp Stadium this week, bringing together military bands, cultural groups, dancers, drummers and pipers, many performing together for the very first time.

Record-Breaking Economic Impact for Milton and Brisbane

The 75th anniversary event is expected to deliver an estimated $39 million economic impact to Queensland, with over 38,000 Tattoo fans traveling from interstate and overseas to attend the Milton performances. Demand has remained exceptionally high, with new ticket releases made available as the show dates approach.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to Perform in Milton for 75th Anniversary — Photo Credit: RACQ

Brisbane Airport CEO Gert-Jan de Graaff said the airport has never seen this much tartan on its tarmac, with the gateway playing a vital role in welcoming performers and supporting the logistics that make world-class cultural events possible.

Caxton Street Transforms Into Royal Mile

On Friday, February 13 at 5pm, Brisbane’s Caxton Street will transform into the Royal Mile as marchers from across Brisbane join pipers and drummers from the Tattoo in a ceremonial march down to Suncorp Stadium. The event kicks off at the top of Caxton Street with a big blow by the bagpipers at 6pm, creating a proper welcome for the 75th anniversary performances.

The march celebrates Brisbane hosting a world-record four shows of the Tattoo at Suncorp Stadium, an achievement that organisers say deserves proper fanfare. Residents and visitors are invited to bring energy and noise to make history alongside the international performers.

Globally Diverse Cast Brings 75th Anniversary Show to Life

More than 30 bands and cultural groups will perform in “The Heroes Who Made Us,” including UK Military Bands from the Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force, the Combined Military Bands of the Australian Defence Force, Queensland Police Pipe Band, Western Australia Police Pipe Band, Australia’s Federation Guard, His Majesty the King of Norway’s Guard Band and Drill Team, Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band, His Majesty’s Armed Forces The Royal Corps of Musicians Tonga, Top Secret Drum Corps, United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, and Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe Band.

Representing Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, Norway, Switzerland, Tonga, the United Kingdom, the United States and more, the cast creates one of the most globally diverse lineups ever assembled for an international Tattoo production.

Brisbane’s First Hosting of Iconic Scottish Tradition

Renowned for stirring music, military precision, cultural displays and dramatic performances set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo draws over 230,000 spectators annually in Scotland and over 100 million more worldwide through international broadcasts. Hundreds of thousands attended previous Australian editions in Sydney (2005, 2010, 2019) and Melbourne (2016).

The 75th anniversary performances will draw visitors from across the country, deliver a boost for Milton businesses, and shine a global spotlight on Brisbane as Australia’s lifestyle capital.

The Brisbane season represents the Tattoo’s return to Australia for the first time since 2019. Cutting-edge lighting, immersive sound design and large-scale visual effects will elevate the performance, blending the timeless traditions of the British Armed Forces with modern storytelling and world-class production innovation.

Final tickets for the 75th anniversary performances on 12 February (Thursday), 13 February (Friday), 14 February (Saturday) and 15 February (Sunday) are available through Ticketek.

Published 11-February-2026.