Indooroopilly: River Bridges, Parks and Shops

Indooroopilly is a western Brisbane suburb on the Brisbane River, best known for the heritage-listed Walter Taylor Bridge, Thomas Park Bougainvillea Gardens and Indooroopilly Shopping Centre. It is about 7 km from the CBD, so it works as a quick half-day trip.

You can walk or cycle across to Chelmer, picnic in an old bougainvillea garden and still be at the shops or the train station in a few minutes.

Walter Taylor Bridge

The Walter Taylor Bridge crosses the Brisbane River between Indooroopilly and Chelmer. It was designed, built and funded by Walter Taylor, a local contractor from Graceville, and it opened as a toll bridge on 14 February 1936.

When it opened it was the longest span suspension bridge in Australia, and Brisbane City Council says it still is. It has two residential towers: the toll keeper lived in the northern tower and the bridge supervisor in the southern one. It was first called the Indooroopilly Bridge and was renamed in Taylor’s honour after his death in 1955.

You can walk across for views up and down the river. The bridge closes to everyone on some nights for tower works, walkers included, with works running to mid-2028. Check the Brisbane City Council bridge works page before you plan the walk. The Jack Pesch Bridge next door stays open for walkers and riders.

Jack Pesch Bridge and Albert Bridge

The Jack Pesch Bridge is a cable-stayed steel bridge for pedestrians and cyclists, and it sits right next to the Walter Taylor Bridge and the Albert Bridge. Brisbane City Council points walkers and riders to it as the alternative route when the Walter Taylor Bridge is closed.

The Albert Bridge is a heritage-listed rail bridge. The 1893 flood destroyed the original and its replacement opened in 1895. You can see its stone abutment on the Indooroopilly side.

Thomas Park Bougainvillea Gardens

Thomas Park Bougainvillea Gardens is at 151 Harts Road. It was a private garden created by Henry Thomas, who bred several bougainvillea varieties, and it is now a heritage-listed public park run by Brisbane City Council. It sits at the Harts Road end of the area council manages as Sir John Chandler Park, which has the playground, BBQs and dog off-leash area.

It has mature bougainvilleas, including the reddish-pink Thomasii variety he is best known for, and avenues of palms. There are park benches, picnic tables and a water bubbler, and the south-east side of the park looks over the golf course and the river.

Walk the Indooroopilly Heritage Trail

Brisbane City Council has a self-guided Indooroopilly Heritage Trail with 17 stops. It starts at the Indooroopilly War Memorial in Keating Park and finishes at Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, passing historic churches, Albert Bridge and Walter Taylor Bridge on the way. Council warns that some sections are steep and may not suit people with limited mobility.

Indooroopilly Shopping Centre

Indooroopilly Shopping Centre is on Moggill Road and is the biggest mall in Brisbane’s western suburbs. It has an Event Cinemas, a food court, the Station Road Dining precinct and a bus interchange.

Parking is free for the first 3 hours a day. Spend $200 and you can claim extra free parking from the Visit Concierge on the same day, and the cinema and participating restaurants can validate 4 hours free. Check the centre’s website for opening hours before you go.

Planning your visit

• How long: 2 to 4 hours for the bridges, Thomas Park and a bite at the shops.
• Best time: mornings or late afternoon for the river light and cooler walking.
• Cost: the bridges and Thomas Park have no listed entry fee. Shopping centre parking is free for 3 hours.
• What to bring: water, a hat and comfortable shoes, especially for the heritage trail.
• Accessibility: council says parts of the heritage trail are steep. No other access details are published for Thomas Park, so ring Brisbane City Council on 07 3403 8888 if you need to check.

Getting there and parking

By car, Indooroopilly is about 7 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 15 minutes without traffic. Car park gates include one off Moggill Road.

By train, Indooroopilly station is on Station Road, within a 5 minute walk of the shopping centre, with services toward the city and Ipswich. Buses use the interchange at the shopping centre. Plan the trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.

More detail is on council’s Indooroopilly Heritage Trail page and the shopping centre website. Details can change, so check before you go.

Nearby

• Toowong – another western Brisbane suburb to explore.
• Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha – a bigger garden day in Brisbane’s west.
• Mt Coot-tha Lookout – city views for a second stop.
• Sunnybank – another big Brisbane shopping and food suburb, on the southside.

Browse more history and landmarks and Brisbane places.

You might also like

• Chelmer (Brisbane)
• Orleigh Park (West End)
• Sherwood (Brisbane)

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