Highgate Hill, Queensland

The topography of the suburb is undulating hills, the highest being the hill ({{Coord|-27.4870|153.01667|type:mountain_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Highgate Hill (mountain)}}) also called Highgate Hill at {{Convert|64|m||abbr=}} above sea level. Together with West End and South Brisbane, it occupies a peninsula surrounded on three sides by the Brisbane River with the river forming the southern boundary of Highgate Hill. From the central ridge occupied by Dornoch Terrace, land slopes steeply down towards the river to the south and north towards low-lying land of the two adjacent suburbs. To the east, further hilly land extends past Gladstone Road.{{Queensland Globe|access-date=28 March 2020}}

Highgate Hill is a high-density residential suburb with many apartment buildings, some more than 10 storeys. These apartment blocks are centred along the main road of Dornoch Terrace, a trend that was started in 1960 by the landmark Torbreck building.{{cite web|url=http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/highgate_hill |title=History of Highgate Hill |access-date=24 January 2008 |work=Ourbrisbane.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930204405/http://www.ourbrisbane.com/living/suburbs/highgate_hill |archive-date=30 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}

File:Real estate map of Stephens Paddock Estate (first section), South Brisbane, 1890 (25793072494).jpg

File:StateLibQld 1 178987 Streets, houses, and land in the suburb of Highgate Hill, ca. 1902.jpg

Before British settlement, the Highgate Hill area was a hunting ground for indigenous people from nearby camping grounds, such as the one at the base of Highgate Hill. Up until the late 1850s this camp, near Dorchester Street and Somerville House School, continued to be used. A corroboree ground was located at "the pineapple paddock" in Baynes Street. The name of the Highgate Hill area in the Turrbal or Jagara language was Beenung-urrung which meant frilled lizard.{{Cite web|url=https://www.academia.edu/30641321|title=Notes on Aboriginal Sites and Use of the West End to Woolloongabba Area (Brisbane)|last=Kerkhove|first=Ray|website=academia.edu|access-date=1 August 2017|archive-date=8 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220808125630/https://www.academia.edu/30641321|url-status=live}}

The banks of the Brisbane River were described as a tropic wall of tall figs, emergent hoop pine, vines, flowering creepers, staghorns, elkhorns, towering scrub palms, giant ferns, and hundreds of other varieties of ferns, beautiful and rare orchids, and wild passion flower. Remnants of this vegetation exist in a number gullies in Highgate Hill leading to the river.{{Cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21506287|title=THE BRISBANE RIVER. 100 YEARS AGO|date=22 March 1930|publisher=The Brisbane Courier|location=Queensland, Australia|page=10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801072118/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21506287|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017|via=National Library of Australia}}

In convict times, saw pits existed in the area along the river between Dauphin Terrace and Boundary Street. Convicts felled timber on Highgate Hill for use in the fledgling town of Brisbane.{{Cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21606866|title=Highgate Hill|date=22 November 1930|work=The Sunday Mail|page=26|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801031931/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/21606866|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017|via=National Library of Australia}}

Among the first European residents was George Wilson and his wife and family of 8 who built a homestead in Bellevue Street in the 1860s. He is thought to have named the locality Highgate Hill (possibly after Highgate Hill in London), however the name first appears in an advertisement for a land sale in 1864 by Nehemiah Bartley of the "Highgate Hill Estate" located at the peak of the hill.{{Cite web|url=http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/highgate-hill|title=Highgate Hill|website=Queensland Places|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801035842/http://www.queenslandplaces.com.au/highgate-hill|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017}}{{Cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1265889|title=Abstract of sales by Auction this Day|date=19 December 1964|publisher=The Brisbane Courier|page=2|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801032928/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1265889|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|via=National library of Australia}}{{cite news|date=20 August 1864|title=Classified Advertising|volume=XIX|page=7|newspaper=The Brisbane Courier|issue=2048|location=Queensland, Australia|url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article1260976|via=National Library of Australia|accessdate=18 August 2021|archive-date=21 May 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240521062355/https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/1260976|url-status=live}} The large portions of land from early land sales were slowly subdivided into residential blocks, and advertisements mentioned the notable residents of the area to emphasise its attractiveness.{{Cite web|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/84142224|title=Advertising|date=17 October 1885|publisher=The Queensland Figaro|page=14|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801074341/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/84142224|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017|via=National Library of Australia}} However the lack of water proved to be an obstacle to significant take up. Water had to be collected in rain water tanks when possible or fetched from springs in the West End area. This problem was solved by the completion in 1889 of the Highgate Hill Service Reservoir near the corner of Dornoch Terrace and Gladstone Road. The reservoir is still in use today.{{Cite web|url=https://highgatehill-historical-vignettes.com/tag/reservoir/|title=Highgate Hill Reservoir 1889|website=Highgate Hill and Its History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801041248/https://highgatehill-historical-vignettes.com/tag/reservoir/|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017}}

In 1902, the electric tram was extended up Gladstone Road, stimulating suburban growth. By 1929 the area was considered one of Brisbane's dress circles.

File:Highgate Hill old and new.jpg

The density of the suburb began to increase with redevelopment and the building of flats during the interwar years. Westbourne Street provides a good example of the redevelopment of large properties in this period.{{Cite web|url=https://highgatehill-historical-vignettes.com/2017/02/26/architectural-styles-of-the-1930s-highgate-hill/|title=Westbourne Street|website=Highgate Hill and Its History|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801034924/https://highgatehill-historical-vignettes.com/2017/02/26/architectural-styles-of-the-1930s-highgate-hill/|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017}}

On 10 December 1949, the foundation stone of the Park Presbyterian Church was laid at 21 Hampstead Road ({{Coord|-27.4827|153.0160|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|display=|name=Park Street Presbyterian/Uniting Church, Highgate Hill}}). The congregation had previously had their church at 31 Glenelg Street on the corner of Cordelia Street in South Brisbane but the changing demographic of South Brisbane into an industrial area saw families move away to more residential suburbs and so the decision was made to build a new church in the more residential suburb of Highgate Hill. The name "Park" was carried over from the previous church which had been located opposite Musgrave Park.{{Cite BrisbaneHR|1502|Park Presbyterian Church (former)|accessdate=8 August 2020}}{{Cite web|title=Park Presbyterian Church Glenelg Street, South Brisbane|url=http://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/SthBrisbanePres.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200808044227/http://www.ohta.org.au/organs/organs/SthBrisbanePres.html|archive-date=8 August 2020|access-date=2020-08-08|website=www.ohta.org.au}} When the Presbyterian church entered into the union that created the Uniting Church in Australia in the 1970s, this resulted in an oversupply of church buildings in many communities. In September 1976 the Park Presbyterian church became the Park Uniting Church for the Brisbane Tongan congregation.{{Cite web|title=History|url=https://www.parkchurchtongancongregation.org.au/?page_id=9|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811091442/https://www.parkchurchtongancongregation.org.au/?page_id=9|archive-date=11 August 2020|access-date=2020-08-11|website=Park Church Tongan Congregation}}

Development continued after the Second World War with the notable construction of the 22-floor Torbreck, Brisbane's first apartment tower, on Dornoch Terrace in 1962.

Continued development has led to community protest at times. In 2002, there was an extended protest over the development of two hectares of bushland, known as the Gully, when a developer obtained a permit for nearly 30 dwellings to be built on it. In 2016, there was community protest over the demolition of three heritage houses in Jones Street which had not been given heritage listing by the Brisbane City Council.{{Cite web|url=http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/highgate-hill-protesters-block-demolitionists-from-heritage-site-20160207-gmo316.html#ixzz3zcNmTOWc|title=Councillor says Highgate Hill demolitions cannot be stopped, and blames state|date=8 February 2016|website=Brisbane Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801052717/http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/highgate-hill-protesters-block-demolitionists-from-heritage-site-20160207-gmo316.html#ixzz3zcNmTOWc|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017}}

In the {{CensusAU|2011}}, Highgate Hill recorded a population of 5,824 people, 48.7% female and 51.3% male.{{Census 2011 AUS|id=SSC30755|name=Highgate Hill (SSC)|access-date=28 March 2020|quick=on}} The median age of the Highgate Hill population was 34 years of age, 3 years below the Australian median. 59.2% of people living in Highgate Hill were born in Australia, compared to the national average of 69.8%; the next most common countries of birth were England 3.9%, Greece 3.8%, New Zealand 3%, China 1.8%, India 1.7%. 66.3% of people spoke only English at home; the next most common languages were 7.9% Greek, 2.5% Mandarin, 1.7% Vietnamese, 1.6% Spanish, 1% French.

In the {{CensusAU|2016}}, Highgate Hill had a population of 6,194 people.{{Census 2016 AUS|id=SSC31343|name=Highgate Hill (SSC)|access-date=20 October 2018|quick=on}}

In the {{CensusAU|2021}}, Highgate Hill had a population of 6,229 people.{{Census 2021 AUS|id=SAL31331|name=Highgate Hill (SAL)|access-date=28 February 2023|quick=on}}

File:StateLibQld 1 173967 Panoramic view of the Brisbane River from Highgate Hill, Brisbane, ca. 1902.jpg

Highgate Hill is regularly serviced by a number of bus routes operated by the Brisbane City Council. All residents live within walking distance to public transport, with 4.4% using public transport to commute to work or school.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

Bus routes include:{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

• Number 192 UQ Lakes - Highgate Hill - City
• Number 196 New Farm - Fairfield Gardens
• Number 198 Highgate Hill Hail and Ride local bus

The nearest train stations to Highgate Hill are at South Bank railway station and Dutton Park railway station . On the eastern side of the suburb Gloucester Street railway station once provided better rail access. The station was removed in 1978, with little indication of its existence remaining.{{Citation needed|date=May 2024}}

There are no schools in Highgate Hill.{{cite web |title=Layers: Locality; Schools and school catchments |url=https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |access-date=21 May 2024 |website=Queensland Globe |publisher=Queensland Government |archive-date=19 December 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171219175447/https://qldglobe.information.qld.gov.au/ |url-status=live }}

The nearest government primary schools are West End State School in neighbouring West End to the west and Dutton Park State School in neighbouring Dutton Park to the south-east.

The nearest government secondary schools are Brisbane State High School (to Year 12) in neighbouring South Brisbane to the north and Brisbane South State Secondary College (to Year 10) in neighbouring Dutton Park. As Brisbane South State Secondary College opened in 2021, as at 2024, it offers only Years 7 to 10,{{Cite web |date=2020-05-07 |title=History |url=https://brisbanesouthssc.eq.edu.au/our-college/history |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Brisbane South State Secondary College |language=en |archive-date=2 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502050408/https://brisbanesouthssc.eq.edu.au/our-college/history |url-status=live }} expanding to Year 11 in 2025 and Year 12 in 2026.{{Cite web |date=2020-06-01 |title=Enrolments |url=https://brisbanesouthssc.eq.edu.au/enrolments |access-date=2024-05-21 |website=Brisbane South State Secondary College |language=en |archive-date=1 March 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220301102714/https://brisbanesouthssc.eq.edu.au/enrolments |url-status=live }}

There are also a number of private schools in surrounding suburbs.

Park Church Tongan Congregation is at 21-23 Hampstead Road ({{Coord|-27.4827|153.0160|type:landmark_region:AU-QLD|name=Park Church Tongan Congregation}}).{{cite web|title=Find a Church|url=https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201024234524/https://ucaqld.com.au/find-a-church/|archive-date=24 October 2020|access-date=22 November 2020|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod}}{{Cite web|title=Park Church Tongan Congregation — A congregation of the Uniting Church in Australia|url=https://www.parkchurchtongancongregation.org.au/|access-date=2021-10-20|website=|archive-date=22 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022040449/https://www.parkchurchtongancongregation.org.au/|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|title=Park Church, Tongan Congregation|url=https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/uniting-church-in-australia/directory/1841-park-church,-tongan-congregation|access-date=2021-10-20|website=Churches Australia|language=en-AU|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020064156/https://www.churchesaustralia.org/list-of-churches/denominations/uniting-church-in-australia/directory/1841-park-church,-tongan-congregation|url-status=live}} It is part of the Moreton Rivers Presbytery of the Uniting Church in Australia.{{Cite web|date=March 2019|title=Queensland congregations and faith communities|url=https://ucaqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Congregation-Fellowships-Index-Map.pdf|access-date=19 October 2021|website=Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod|archive-date=20 October 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020074400/https://ucaqld.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Congregation-Fellowships-Index-Map.pdf|url-status=live}}

At the highest point of Highgate Hill is a small park which boasts excellent views of the city and surrounding hills. It's particularly popular during summer due to the cool breezes.{{Cite web|url=http://www.mustdobrisbane.com/outdoors-parks-parks-z/highgate-hill-park-highgate-hill|title=Highgate Hill Park|website=must do brisbane|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801082911/http://www.mustdobrisbane.com/outdoors-parks-parks-z/highgate-hill-park-highgate-hill|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017}}

Lyons Playground Park, also known as Paradise Park, is a well equipped small park that also has a community garden.{{Cite web|url=https://www.yelp.com.au/biz/lyons-playground-highgate-hill|title=Lyons Playground|website=yelp|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801114358/https://www.yelp.com.au/biz/lyons-playground-highgate-hill|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live|access-date=1 August 2017}}

The Brydon Street park leads into a gully down to the river and is what remains of the bushland that was subject to protest in 2002.{{Cite web|url=https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/parks-venues/parks/parks-suburb/highgate-hill-parks|title=Brydon Street park|website=Brisbane City Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170801082607/https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/facilities-recreation/parks-venues/parks/parks-suburb/highgate-hill-parks|archive-date=1 August 2017|url-status=live}}

The 1994 novel for children, The Highgate Hill Mob relates the escapades of four kids who live in the suburb of Highgate Hill.{{Citation |author1=Fairbairn |first=John |title=The Highgate Hill mob |year=1994 |publisher=University of Queensland Press |language=en}}

The artist Stephen Nothling lived in Louise Street, Highgate Hill and painted a series of pictures depicting houses in the street.{{Cite news|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-06/albinism-artist-brings-unique-perspective-to-inner-city/7005210|title=Stephen Nothling, vision-impaired artist, brings unique perspective to Brisbane suburban streetscapes|date=6 December 2016|work=ABC news|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170419235940/http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-12-06/albinism-artist-brings-unique-perspective-to-inner-city/7005210|archive-date=19 April 2017|url-status=live}}

The poet Robert Hughes lived in Jones Street. He wrote his book "Highgate Hill" based on this experience.{{Cite book|last=Barr|first=Todd|title=Words to walk by : exploring literary Brisbane|publisher=University of Queensland Press|year=2005|isbn=0702235172|location=St Lucia, Qld.|pages=141}}

File:Kinauld.jpg residence on Dornoch Terrace, 2015]]

Highgate Hill has a number of heritage-listed sites, including:

{{columns-list|colwidth=30em|

• 14-20 Blakeney Street: Rochemount/Tarong{{cite BrisbaneHR|846|Residence 'Rochemount' or 'Tarong'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 35 Brighton Road: Franklin Villa{{cite BrisbaneHR|847|Residence 'Franklin Villa'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 81 Dornoch Terrace: Topham Residence{{cite BrisbaneHR|848|Residence|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 100 Dornoch Terrace: Cleona{{cite BrisbaneHR|849|Residence 'Cleona'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 116 Dornoch Terrace: Kinauld{{cite QHR|15000|Kinauld|600225|access-date=6 July 2013}}
• 117 Dornoch Terrace: Carinya{{cite BrisbaneHR|851|Residence 'Carinya'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 121 Dornoch Terrace: Lutmis{{cite BrisbaneHR|852|Residence 'Lutmis'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 132 Dornoch Terrace: Glenview{{cite BrisbaneHR|853|Residence 'Glenview'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 147 Dornoch Terrace: Giles Residence{{cite BrisbaneHR|854|Residence|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 182 Dornoch Terrace: Torbreck{{cite QHR|16019|Torbreck|601256|access-date=6 July 2013}}
• 191 Dornoch Terrace: Fire hydrant{{cite BrisbaneHR|856|Fire hydrant|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 11 Franklin Street: Merkara{{cite BrisbaneHR|857|Residence 'Merkara'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 17 Franklin Street: Allawah{{cite BrisbaneHR|858|Residence 'Allawah'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 21 Franklin Street: Eversly{{cite BrisbaneHR|859|Residence 'Eversly'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 21 & 23 Gladstone Road: Orana{{cite BrisbaneHR|860|Residence 'Orana'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 113 Gladstone Road: Highgate Hill Reservoir{{cite BrisbaneHR|861|Highgate Hill Reservoir|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 3 Hampstead Road: Carmel Court{{cite BrisbaneHR|862|Carmel Court|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 27 Hampstead Road: Wairuna{{cite QHR|15001|Wairuna|600226|access-date=6 July 2013}}
• 94 Hampstead Road: Highgate Hill Park{{cite BrisbaneHR|864|Highgate Hill Park|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 1 & 3 Marly Street: Barne{{cite BrisbaneHR|865|Residence 'Barne'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 25 Sexton Street: Nott cottage{{cite BrisbaneHR|866|Residence|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 11 Westbourne Street: Lanark{{cite BrisbaneHR|867|Residence 'Lanark'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 15 Westbourne Street: Le Jardin{{cite BrisbaneHR|868|Residence 'Le Jardin'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}
• 19, 23 & 27 Westbourne Street: Front Fence Remnant from 'Tarong'{{cite BrisbaneHR|869|Front Fence Remnant from 'Tarong'|accessdate=16 July 2015}}

}}

The following notable people have an association with Highgate Hill:

• James Allan (politician and retailer) - residence Wairuna{{cite QHR|15001|Wairuna|600226|access-date=6 July 2013}}
• Ron Archer (cricketer) - birth
• Benjamin Harris Babbidge (alderman and mayor) - residence
• William Theophilus Blakeney (registrar-general) - residence
• Bill Hayden (former Governor-General of Australia, politician) - birth and early years{{Cite news|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/57568619|title=BILL HAYDEN THE MAN WHO WANTS TO BE PM|date=1 October 1980|work=The Australian Women's Weekly|access-date=3 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170803045751/http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/57568619|archive-date=3 August 2017|url-status=live|page=40|via=National Library of Australia}}
• Daphne Mayo (artist, sculptor) - residence
• John McLaren (cricketer) - death
• Edmund Sheppard (judge) - residence
• Alfred Jeffris Turner (pediatrician and entomologist) - residence
• Andrew Joseph Thynne (lawyer and politician) - residence
• Alexander Brown Wilson (architect) - early residence

{{portal|Queensland}}

• List of Brisbane suburbs

{{reflist}}

{{commons category|Highgate Hill, Queensland}}

• {{cite web|url=http://queenslandplaces.com.au/highgate-hill|title=Highgate Hill|publisher=Centre for the Government of Queensland, University of Queensland|website=Queensland Places}}

{{Suburbs of Brisbane City Council}}

Category:Suburbs of the City of Brisbane