Kangaroo Point Cliffs, Brisbane

Kangaroo Point Cliffs, close to Brisbane's city center in Queensland, are well-known historical landmarks. These cliffs, just across the Brisbane River from the city's main commercial area, are popular for activities such as rock climbing and running. They can be reached easily from the city and South Bank Parklands using the Pacific Motorway, South East Busway, or by ferry to Thornton Street.

The cliffs came into being through quarrying that extracted volcanic rock, specifically ignimbrite or welded tuff, by prisoners. These rocks, dating to about 230 million years ago in the Triassic Period, filled an ancient river valley. Initially called porphyry, they're now known as Brisbane tuff.

Historical documents indicate that Captain Patrick Logan, head of the Moreton Bay penal colony, first used this quarry around 1826 for his building projects. Existing structures from that era include The Old Windmill and the Commissariat Store. By 1842, private stonemasons like John Petrie, Brisbane's first mayor, leased the quarry, until the Brisbane Municipal Council took over in 1860. It was then used for stone for sailing ballast. In 1864, the Queensland government took control due to concerns over stone waste.

In the 1880s, coal docks were built at the cliffs' southern end, connected by rail. A military defense depot was also established at the northern end for storage and training. The quarry's stone was used for building river walls in Brisbane, the Manly Boat Harbour, and the new Port of Brisbane. Quarrying stopped in 1976.