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Just metres short of a mountain, Castle Hill is the giant pink granite monolith that stands proud in the centre of Townsville - a perfect place for visitors to orientate themselves. Castle Hill offers vehicle access as well as a number of popular walking tracks, which are frequented by more than 2,500 locals a day! The 360-degree views of Townsville at the top are well worth the journey. Be sure to have a camera on hand, particularly for sunrise or sunset as these are photo opportunities that shouldn't be missed. Apart from being an iconic centrepiece for the city and a lookout for spectacular scenic views, Castle Hill has a significant history. The Hill's vantage was used by visiting American soldiers during World War II. According to local legend, the visitors famously offered to demolish the hill and use the rock to build a bridge to Magnetic Island. A World War II observation bunker sits on one corner of the Hill reminding visitors of Castle Hill's military history. Castle Hill facilities include car parking, public amenities, drink fountains and shaded seating to enjoy while taking in some of the best views of the city and across to Magnetic Island. Source: www.queensland.com/us/en/things-to-do/attractions/p-56b26...

Queen's Park, known among the region’s older residents as “The Old Gardens”, was originally selected in the 1880s as a Botanic Garden Reserve. Community-minded citizens became trustees of the area which was developed with the implementation of fences, gates, and pathways. Paying due respect to the natural vegetation which included “pretty trees and vines which form a handsome clump of indigenous vegetation”. The area was prone to flooding and in 1894 an area of land was selected in North Bundaberg and was proclaimed as a Botanic Gardens. Queen's Park boasts many beautiful trees, many of which remain representative of the original rainforest vegetation. Over 100 rainforest species have been identified in the park. Source: www.bundabergnow.com/2020/03/04/queens-park-link-with-ori...

There is another park featuring a bandstand in Bundaberg. Band Rotunda One of the main features of Alexandra Park is the rotunda. Concerts by the Naval Band and others were often held in the park and were well attended. However, the bands had to stand in the full sun whilst listeners could relax in the shade of trees. The Parks report was presented to Council at its meeting on 28 September 1910, Alderman Redmond noted that “...there was one thing lacking…” in the Park - a bandstand - which he hoped the Parks Committee would consider. Alderman Maynard vouched for his agreement and maintained a bandstand would “...enhance the value of the park”. At the Council meeting on 15 December, 1910 plans for a bandstand were presented. Well-known Bundaberg architect Mr. Faircloth drew up plans for a “...handsome and roomy bandstand”. The Bundaberg Mail “...hoped that nothing will be allowed to stand in the way of providing such a very necessary convenience”. The Mayor (Ald. Nielson) donated £50 (his Mayoral allowance) towards the cost of the band stand31,32,33. Other funds came from government parks and gardens grants and the outstanding balance was then initially to be sourced “...from the public by subscription or otherwise”. From newspaper accounts, it doesn’t appear, however, that the public was asked to put their hands in their pockets to contribute to the cost of the bandstand itself. Tenders for the building of the bandstand were called for soon after the Council meeting on 16 December, to be ready for the next meeting on 11 January 1911. Two tenders were received but were rejected, and it was decided to call for tenders again at a later date. This occurred on 28 March 37, and in early April it was announced that the sole tender received in this second round was successful. Mr. John Heaps won the tender with a quote of £160 for a rotunda with iron railings or £158 for wooden railings. The quote for a rotunda featuring iron railings was accepted. The bandstand was officially opened on Wednesday evening 8 November 1911. A crowd of 400-500 was present to hear the Naval Band plays in the new rotunda, and Alderman Redmond, in the absence of the Mayor (Ald. Stevenson), performed the opening duties. The new rotunda was “...regarded as a memorial to Alderman Neilson - fitting that he should be remembered in the gardens and his name should be on the bandstand. Source: www.artsbundaberg.com.au/downloads/file/67/alexandra-park...

The trustees adopted regulations for South Brisbane Cemetery in October 1866, but it still needed fencing, clearing, and internal roads, and it was almost four years before it was ready to be proclaimed open for use, which happened on 7 May 1870. Brisbane Courier, 7 May 1870. The first recorded burial took place on 1 August 1870 when Jane Hockings – the mother of trustee Albert Hockings – was laid to rest in section 8A. The interment of such a prominent person was a significant moment, and for the first time, large numbers of Southsiders began to utilize a cemetery on their own side of the river. It has always officially been named ‘South Brisbane Cemetery, as it was in South Brisbane – which was a separate municipal entity to Brisbane itself – although many people know it by the colloquial name of ‘Dutton Park Cemetery. South Brisbane Cemetery is listed on both the Queensland Heritage Register (Queensland Government) and the Brisbane Heritage Register (Brisbane City Council). It is one of the earliest cemeteries in Queensland. In its form and memorials it provides evidence for the history of Brisbane and of European burial customs in Queensland. South Brisbane Cemetery was established at the height of the Victorian-era fascination with monumental cemeteries. Middle-class families were expected to spend as much as they could afford on grave monuments appropriate to the social status of the deceased. The graves of paupers often went unmarked. Many of these headstones are testament to the skills of the stonemasons who created them. Some early headstones have been lost to time, falling over because of storms or old age, but many of these fascinating monuments to our ancestors remain and effectively make the cemetery something of an open-air art gallery. The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) was established in 1917, and provides headstones for the 1,700,000 men and women of the Commonwealth forces who died from injuries suffered the two world wars. There are 47 registered War Commission graves in South Brisbane Cemetery. Official war graves feature a cross and the relevant insignia. In addition to the official war graves, there are also family memorials in the cemetery to local men who died and were interred overseas during the First World War. These usually take the form of naming the deceased, and when and where they died. These were prevalent before the rise in popularity of community cenotaphs. Source: www.fosbc.com/