The Old Windmill: Brisbane's Oldest Convict-Built Landmark

The Old Windmill, located in Spring Hill, is a tangible link to Brisbane's earliest European settlement. Constructed in 1828 by convicts, the windmill was intended to grind grain for the Moreton Bay penal settlement. However, its hilltop location proved unsuitable for catching sufficient wind, rendering it largely ineffective for its primary purpose. To compensate, a treadmill was installed, powered by convicts, turning the millstones. This grueling task became a form of punishment, with inmates working up to 14 hours a day in leg irons. The windmill also holds a dark history as the site of Queensland's first public execution, where two Indigenous men were hanged in 1841. Over the years, the Old Windmill has served many purposes. It functioned as a signal station, communicating with ships entering the Brisbane River, and later as an observatory, with locals dubbing it 'The Observatory'. The tower also played a role in timekeeping, with a time ball dropping daily at 1 pm to allow residents to set their watches. In 1934, it was the site of Queensland's first television broadcast. Today, the Old Windmill stands as a heritage-listed landmark, offering visitors a glimpse into Queensland's past. Though the mechanical workings are gone, the tower remains a significant historical site and a popular spot for tourists and locals alike.