History of Old Government House

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On 8 June 1859 separation from New South Wales became a reality, and Queensland was declared a separate colony.

On 10 December 1859, Sir George Ferguson Bowen, Queensland's first Governor arrived in Brisbane. From the balcony of a doctor's residence hired as a temporary Government House he read the proclamation that announced 'the erection of Moreton Bay into a Colony under the name of Queensland'. Before this the territory had been considered a part of New South Wales.

Parliament was yet to be established and the Governor was quite simply 'the person for the time being lawfully administering the Government of Queensland'. The construction of an official residence, which would serve as a home and administrative base for the Governor and as a social centre for the developing colony, was the first major building work undertaken. It is also the only purpose-built Government House in Queensland.

The site chosen was on high land next to the Botanic Gardens. Walter Hill, who was the Director of the Gardens, laid out the grounds including a vegetable garden and water reservoir, some months before the work on the house began in late 1860.

The House was designed by the new Colonial Architect, Charles Tiffin and was built by Joshua Jeays, who used sandstone from his own quarry near Wacol.

Although it was initially thought that the house would be finished by May 1861, there were delays, largely due to cost, so the Governor was unable to move in until May 1862.

The house then remained the Governor's residence for 47 years, when on 10 December 1909 the house was officially dedicated to the University of Queensland.