Spring Hill, Brisbane: Jacob’s Ladder, Spring Hill Baths and Old Windmill

Spring Hill is a hilltop suburb just north-west of the Brisbane CBD, about 5 minutes by car from the city, with the Old Windmill, Spring Hill Baths and the Jacob’s Ladder stairs. It is mostly offices, apartments and heritage buildings, so it suits a short wander of an hour or two, or a swim, rather than a full day.

The three things to see are all close together on and around Wickham Terrace and Torrington Street, and you can add Roma Street Parkland or Anzac Square on the same trip. Most of what Spring Hill offers is free to look at, and only the baths charge entry.

Jacob’s Ladder and King Edward Park

Jacob’s Ladder is a long public stairway of ten flights of concrete steps through King Edward Park, linking Turbot Street in the city with Wickham Terrace in Spring Hill. The present footway was built in 1921.

King Edward Park is a steeply sloping garden of terraced lawns, large figs and pines, with seating alcoves off the landings, an oversized concrete draughts board and several sculptures. It is popular with office workers at lunch time.

The Old Windmill on Wickham Terrace

The Old Windmill is a convict-built tower from 1828 at 226 Wickham Terrace, in Observatory Park. It is the centrepiece of Observatory Park, a short walk from Jacob’s Ladder, and you can look at it from outside for free. It has been on the Queensland Heritage Register since 1992.

We have a full guide to the Old Windmill, its convict history and visiting.

Spring Hill Baths

Spring Hill Baths, at 14 Torrington Street, was built in 1886 and is Brisbane’s first in-ground pool and the oldest surviving swimming bath in the southern hemisphere. It is heritage-listed, with a 23.43-metre enclosed, heated indoor pool, classic changing rooms, grandstand seating and a kiosk.

It runs lap swimming, aqua aerobics, stroke development and swimming lessons, so check the timetable before you go. Children aged 5 and under must be within arm’s reach of a swimming adult aged 18 or over, and children aged 14 and under need active supervision by an adult.

Cost and opening hours at Spring Hill Baths

• Adult (15 and over): $7.25
• Child (2 to 14): $5.40; under 2 free
• Concession: $5.95
• Family pass: $15.55 for one adult and two children, $22.10 for two adults and two children
• Non-swimming spectator: $2.50
• Hours: Monday to Thursday 6.30 am to 7 pm, Friday 6.30 am to 6 pm, Saturday and Sunday 8 am to 6 pm, public holidays 9 am to 5 pm (Anzac Day 1 pm to 5 pm). Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day.

Planning your visit

• How long: about an hour for the Windmill and Jacob’s Ladder; add an hour or more for a swim.
• Best time: King Edward Park is popular with office workers at lunch time, so go before or after for a quieter climb. The baths open earlier on weekdays (6.30 am) than on weekends (8 am).
• What to bring: swimmers and a towel for the baths, water and comfortable shoes for the stairs.
• Cost: the Windmill and Jacob’s Ladder are free; the baths charge entry.
• Accessibility: Jacob’s Ladder is a flight-of-steps route, not flat. The baths page does not list accessibility details, so call 07 3054 4359.

Getting there and parking

Spring Hill is about 1.3 km and about 5 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD. Council lists on-street parking around Spring Hill Baths; no parking details are published for Wickham Terrace here.

It is an easy walk from the CBD, and Jacob’s Ladder is the steep way up. For buses and trains, plan your trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.

Details can change, so check the Brisbane City Council Spring Hill Baths page before you go.

Nearby

• The Old Windmill – the convict-built tower on Wickham Terrace.
• Roma Street Parkland – gardens and playgrounds a short walk away.
• Anzac Square – the war memorial park in the city.
• Brisbane City Hall – the clock tower and museum on King George Square.
• Fortitude Valley – food and nightlife just north-east.
• Bowen Hills – the next suburb along.

Browse more history and landmarks, parks and places in Brisbane.

You might also like

• Wickham Terrace (Spring Hill)
• Brisbane Arcade (Brisbane City)
• Queen Street Mall (Brisbane City)

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