West End, an inner city suburb of southern Brisbane, was named by early English settlers who found the area similar to London’s West End. Bounded by the Brisbane River to the west and to the south, the suburb is located close to the suburbs of South Brisbane and Highgate Hill. The three suburbs comprise the peninsula of the Brisbane River. The area has the Aboriginal name Kurilpa, or place of the water rat in English.
Transport
West End is serviced by buses and ferries. There are also electronically secured BCC bicycle shed near the West End Ferry Terminal and on Montague Road.
Entertainment
The parks around West End include Lyons Playground, Highgate Hill Park, Musgrave Park, The Parklands at South Bank, Davies Park, Bill Tyquin Oval Davies Park and Orleigh Park.
Musgrave Park on the suburb of South Brisbane hosts the annual Paniyiri Festival, a gathering intended to showcase the Greek culture, and the annual fair day of the Brisbane Pride Festival. Davies Park, West End (Bill Tyquin Oval) host the home games of Queensland Cup rugby team league , the Souths Logan Magpies.
Watch newly released movies at South Bank 5 Cineplex in South Brisbane or the Go Company Home Cinema and Theatre at Boundary Street, West End.
Education
West End is home to West End State Primary School, located on the corner of Vulture St and Hardgrave Road. Other schools and pre-schools in the area include Kurilpa Community Child Care Centre, C&K West End Community Kindergarten & Preschool, and C&K West End Scott Street Community Kindergarten. It is also near the University of Queensland, Griffith University South Bank and Nathan campuses and the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).
Hospitals
The hospitals in close proximity of West End include Wesley Hospital and Rivercity Private Hospital in Auchenflower; Toowong Private Hospital in Toowong; and Mater Mothers Private Hospital, Mater Children’s Public and Private Hospital, Mater Medical Centre, Mater Adult Hospital, Mater Private Clinic and Mater Private Hospital in South Brisbane.
Shopping
You can do your shopping at West End Markets and Shopping Complex, but shopping is focused mainly along Boundary Street. Aside from Country & City Supermarkets and Coles Supermarket, there is also many ethnic and organic grocery stores. Davies Park hosts a farmer’s market every Saturday called the Green Flea Markets.
West End is considered as one of Brisbane’s thriving multicultural areas with its large Indigenous Australian and Greek communities, as well as Chinese and Italian communities. The suburb attracts students and academics because of its proximity to several colleges. Many young professionals have also been drawn to West End. Along with the relocation of students, academics and professionals, many cafes, restaurants and bars, many serving ethnic, vegetarian or organic dishes, are sprouting in the area. This is the reason why West End is commonly known as Brisbane’s home for a younger chic or hipster crowd.
Dwelling types are 50% stand-alone houses and 37% higher density residential properties, including multi-storey blocks of apartments and units. Contrasting sharply with modern-style buildings and houses are historic homes covered by historic preservation laws.
Factories in the industrial section of West End, particularly along Montague Road down to Riverside Drive, are being sold to launch the development of upscale waterfront apartments. Riverside property values are rising now that flooding is better managed. This re-development plan will likely hasten the gentrification of West End.
