General Post Office Building, Brisbane

The General Post Office (GPO) Building in Brisbane is one of the city’s most notable heritage landmarks. The building officially opened on September 28, 1872, and was constructed of sandstone, featuring deep verandahs and high ceilings designed to suit Brisbane’s subtropical climate. Before the post office was built, the site was occupied by a women’s convict prison, which was demolished in 1871 to make way for the new civic building.

Architecturally, the GPO reflects the Victorian Italianate style, common in important public buildings of the period. Its elegant façade includes decorative arches and classical detailing, while a clock mounted in the pediment above the main entrance once served as a prominent city timepiece. Originally illuminated by a gas-powered light, the clock was later replaced by a smaller electric version as technology advanced. In 1892, the first typewriter used in any Australian post office was introduced here.

For many decades, the GPO served as Brisbane’s main postal hub, handling letters, parcels, and telegraph communications that connected Queensland with the rest of Australia and the wider world. Today, the historic structure has been adapted for modern use and now houses shops, cafés, and commercial offices.

In front of the building lies Post Office Square, a small public plaza containing statues and fountains. Among them is a monument to Major-General Thomas William Glasgow, a commander of the Australian Light Horse at Gallipoli and later a Queensland senator. The square is also known for its busy food court, where office workers and visitors gather each day.