Fernberg Walks Family Day Out

Good morning, all.

I begin by acknowledging the Original Custodians of the lands around Brisbane, the Turrbal and Jagera people, and pay my respects to Elders past, present and emerging, and to any First Nations people here today.

It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the Fernberg Estate this morning for the official opening of our new bushland tracks—a significant addition to this treasured, publicly owned parcel of land, nestled in the heart of Brisbane. I hope these tracks will become a much-loved feature of Fernberg for generations to come.

We gather today within a 16.3-hectare estate named Fernberg—meaning “distant mountain” in German—by Johann Christian Heussler, a wine merchant who made his home in Brisbane and acquired this parcel of land in Paddington in the 1860s.

The name captures the experience of a traveller journeying from the town centre to this elevated site, where Heussler commissioned architect Benjamin Backhouse to design and build the grand villa that still stands behind us today. Over time, the estate changed hands, and the house underwent various modifications before becoming the official residence of Queensland Governors in 1911.

But while the architecture evolved, the surrounding native bushland remained largely unchanged—a testament to the enduring vision of successive Governors who have worked to preserve its natural beauty for the enjoyment of all Queenslanders.

Today, Fernberg remains not only a window into our State’s history, but also a living sanctuary—a rare expanse of remnant bushland that continues to thrive amidst our growing city.

These new tracks wind through some of the best-preserved remnant bushland in the city. They invite visitors to reconnect with nature—to pause, to reflect, and to learn.

Along the way, you’ll see signs—thoughtfully designed to be seen yet blend in with their surrounds—which share stories of the Estate’s diverse flora and fauna. From the brush-turkey to the long-finned eel, from towering tallowwoods to delicate fringed wattles, this living landscape is home to many of Queensland’s native species.

You’ll also discover the rich provenance of Fernberg: the legacy of early horticulturalists like John Bailey and Ernest Bick, of Governors and their spouses (including Lady Campbell’s treasured camellias!), and the long-standing conservation efforts first set in motion by Governor Sir John Goodwin a century ago.

This project reflects my deep and continuing commitment as Governor and the current custodian of Fernberg, to ensuring not only its preservation but also to promoting more community access to the Estate. I am particularly pleased that these walks have been made possible through our ongoing Bushland Management Plan.

Importantly, the tracks will support my pledge to promote improved health and wellbeing in our state. In partnership with Health and Wellbeing Queensland, we regularly hold community walks and other events here, encouraging people to get out and get active.

I thank everyone who has worked to make this project a reality—from our dedicated Government House team to the botanists, ecologists, designers and volunteers who have helped bring these tracks to life.

So please—take your time, breathe in the bushland air, and enjoy this extraordinary gift in the middle of our bustling city.

I will now hand over to my husband, Professor Graeme Nimmo, as today also marks the launch of a very special companion piece to the tracks—Stepping Out from Fernberg—a published collection of reflections by inspired by his own walks through Brisbane’s beautiful inner west, and now available online – and I encourage you to use scan the QR code you will see on signs around the Estate today to access your copy.

Thank you all for coming!