Sitting between the Brisbane CBD and the Royal Brisbane Hospital in Herston, Victoria Park is a large open park. The largest inner-city parkland in Brisbane, it started as a recreational reserve from the 1800s.
Victoria Park was once Victoria Park Golf Complex, sporting an 18 hole golf course along with putt putt golf and a driving range. The brown signs used to reflect this, displayed as Victoria Park Golf Complex. This changed in 2021 when the golf course closed and the fairways were returned to a parkland to be enjoyed by the public.
A year after closing, the park still shows signs of its previous use. Bunkers and greens have been adapted to become normal grass areas but the shapes of them are still noticeable. The events part of the complex remains as a popular location to host functions, private events and weddings, with a number of function rooms and free parking.
The parkland and the function complex have beautiful views of the Brisbane city skyline. With the golf course gone, the parkland and its views is open for everyone to enjoy.
There are development plans to reinvigorate Victoria Park, restoring the natural waterways and habitats for wildlife. Features are meant to provide experiences promoting healing, wellness and a connection to nature.
Golf Driving Range
Putt Putt Golf
The driving range has 61 bays on 2 levels. The range is floodlit for long hours of usability from morning until late at night. There are 4 target greens to aim for. The driving range is licensed and has function spaces available.
The putt course is 18 holes of putt-putt fun. Most of the challenges of the holes are mounds and slopes. The most challenging obstacle is a swinging log that is optional to use. The holes are surrounded by stunning gardens, and glimpses of the city, and there are shady spots to sit around the course. Use the kiosk on the putt-putt course to purchase a slushie or an alcoholic beverage.
Bistro and Playground
The bistro sits between near the putt-putt course and offers a variety of meals. Whether you work up an appetite on the golf course or at putt-putt, you don’t have far to get a bite to eat.
Next to the bistro is a children’s playground area for the kids to expel some energy while you have a coffee or wait for your meals at the bistro. It has a wooden house/fort with an upstairs and downstairs parts and slippery dips, and a rope net ladder to climb up. An old farming tractor holds further attention for the kids.
The original clubhouse is a heritage listed building built in 1931, now part of the health precinct in Herston.
I have fond memories at Victoria Park Golf Complex, having my wedding here in 2006. I still have the photos taken around the golf course planning the photo shoot for on the day (on the day it bucketed down raining so we didn’t get photos out on the course).
It has changed a little since then, the playground area is new, the putt-putt course had just started to be built, the open air location of our ceremony is now an additional function room, and the bistro where we had the reception has changed.
