Fortitude Valley, Queensland facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Fortitude ValleyBrisbane, Queensland |
|||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Overlooking Fortitude Valley, 2019
|
|||||||||||||||
 Fortitude Valley
Location in Queensland
|
|||||||||||||||
| Population | 9,708 (2021 census) | ||||||||||||||
| • Density | 6,930/km2 (17,900/sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Postcode(s) | 4006 | ||||||||||||||
| Elevation | 18 m (59 ft) | ||||||||||||||
| Area | 1.4 km2 (0.5 sq mi) | ||||||||||||||
| Time zone | AEST (UTC+10:00) | ||||||||||||||
| Location | 1.6 km (1 mi) NE of Brisbane CBD | ||||||||||||||
| LGA(s) | City of Brisbane (Central Ward) |
||||||||||||||
| County | Stanley | ||||||||||||||
| Parish | North Brisbane | ||||||||||||||
| State electorate(s) | McConnel | ||||||||||||||
| Federal Division(s) | Brisbane | ||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||
Fortitude Valley is a lively inner suburb of Brisbane, the capital city of Queensland, Australia. Locals often call it "The Valley". In 2021, about 9,708 people lived here. It's known for its two walking streets, Brunswick Street Mall and Chinatown. Fortitude Valley is also a popular spot for entertainment and fun activities in Brisbane.
Contents
Geography
Fortitude Valley is built on a flat, low area. It is located just northeast of Brisbane's main city center.
History
The land where Fortitude Valley now stands was originally home to the Meanjin peoples. These were Indigenous groups known as the Turrbal and Jagera/Yuggera.
In 1849, Scottish immigrants arrived in Brisbane on a ship called the Fortitude. They had been promised free land. When they didn't get the land, they camped near what is now Victoria Park. Many of these immigrants then moved and settled this area. They named it Fortitude Valley after their ship.
Early Schools
The first school, Fortitude Valley National School, opened in 1861. It started in a hall near Ann and Brunswick Streets. A special school building was built in 1867. Over the years, the school grew and split into different sections for boys, girls, and infants.
In 1950, the boys' and girls' schools joined together. The infants' school also merged in 1951. The school closed in 2013 because not many students were attending. However, it reopened in January 2020 as Fortitude Valley State Secondary College. This new school was built to fit the growing population in the area. It was Brisbane's first new inner-city high school in over 50 years.
All Hallows' School, a secondary school for girls, opened in 1861. It is one of Queensland's oldest girls' schools. It moved to Fortitude Valley in 1863 to have more space.
St Patrick's Catholic Church and its school also moved to Morgan Street in 1882. The school closed in 1982.
Shopping and Growth
In 1891, the train line reached Fortitude Valley from the city center. This helped the area grow. Two important business owners, Thomas Beirne and James McWhirter, opened large stores here. They became rivals and helped make the Valley a major shopping area in the late 1800s.
In the late 1800s, many shops in South Brisbane were damaged by floods. Their owners decided to move to Fortitude Valley because it was safe from floods. The tram system also made it easy for people to get to the Valley. This helped it become a busy shopping hub.
From the early 1900s to the 1960s, big department stores like McWhirters and Beirne's were very popular. The Valley became one of Australia's largest shopping areas outside the main city center.
However, in the 1970s, new shopping centers opened in the suburbs. This, along with the end of the tram network in 1969, caused fewer people to shop in Fortitude Valley. Many big stores eventually closed their doors.
Modern Schools
The Music Industry College opened in 2010 for students interested in music. Angelorum College, a private Catholic school, opened in 2017. Humanitas High School, a private secondary school, opened in 2021.
Demographics
| Historical population | ||
|---|---|---|
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
| 2001 | 3,456 | — |
| 2006 | 5,082 | +47.0% |
| 2011 | 5,615 | +10.5% |
| 2016 | 6,978 | +24.3% |
| 2021 | 9,708 | +39.1% |
Fortitude Valley has seen its population grow a lot. In 2016, there were 6,978 people living there. The average age was 31 years old. Many people living in Fortitude Valley were born in Australia (46.1%). Other common birthplaces included India, New Zealand, and England. Most people spoke English at home, but other languages like Spanish, Mandarin, and Portuguese were also common.
By 2021, the population had grown to 9,708 people.
Entertainment District
Chinatown
.jpg)
The Chinatown Mall is a special walking street. It opened in 1987 to help make Fortitude Valley's entertainment area more exciting. It connects Wickham Street and Ann Street.
In the 1990s, Fortitude Valley became famous for its live music and entertainment venues. The Brisbane City Council worked to encourage new homes and businesses in the area. Today, many thousands of people visit Fortitude Valley each weekend for its lively atmosphere.
Music and Community
Sometimes, noise from music venues can bother people living nearby. To help with this, the "Save the Music" campaign started in 1999. This led to the "Valley Music Harmony Plan" in 2002.
In 2005, Fortitude Valley became Australia's first "Special Entertainment Precinct". This means there are special rules to protect both live music and people living in the area. New buildings must be designed to reduce noise.
To make the area safer, especially at night, a "Drink Safe Precinct" trial was held from 2010 to 2012. This trial helped reduce problems and make the area more orderly.
Transport
Getting around Fortitude Valley is easy. Transport for Brisbane runs buses throughout the area. The Fortitude Valley railway station connects to all suburban train lines, including the Airport line.
Taxis and Safety
On Friday and Saturday nights, there are special taxi ranks. These spots have supervisors and security guards to help people get home safely. This service helps reduce arguments and problems, especially late at night.
Speed Limits
To make streets safer for walkers, a lower speed limit of 40 km/h was introduced in parts of Fortitude Valley in 2007. This limit applies from 10 pm to 6 am on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights.
James Street Precinct
James Street in Fortitude Valley is a modern area with shops and places to relax. It has many cafes, restaurants, unique stores, and hotels. The Calile Hotel is a well-known hotel on James Street. This area mixes its industrial past with a fresh, modern feel.
Education
Fortitude Valley has several schools:
- Angelorum College is a private primary and secondary school (Prep-Year 9).
- Music Industry College is a private secondary school (Years 11-12) for students interested in music.
- Humanitas High School is a private secondary school (Years 7-10) that started in 2021.
- Fortitude Valley State Secondary College is a government high school that opened in 2020.
- All Hallows' School is a Catholic private school for girls.
The closest government primary schools are Brisbane Central State School and New Farm State School.
Local Events and Culture
BIGSOUND
Bigsound is a yearly music event that lasts three days. It features performances by bands and artists, and talks by music experts. It usually happens in early September.
Valley Fiesta
The Valley Fiesta is an annual three-day festival. It offers free live music, market stalls, and food from local restaurants. Many famous artists have performed at this event.
International Jazz Festival
The International Jazz Festival is a five-day event held in early June. It replaced the Valley Jazz Festival in 2013 and features jazz music.
Straight Out of Brisbane (SOOB)
Straight Out of Brisbane was a festival that ran from 2002 to 2007. It was created by artists to showcase new opportunities in Queensland's independent art scene. It included workshops, performances, and art displays.
Fortitude Valley Diehards
The Fortitude Valley Football Club, also known as "Valleys", was a very old rugby league team in Brisbane. They stopped playing in 1995. However, the Valley's Junior teams are still active today.
Big Gay Day
Big Gay Day is a festival that celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community. It takes place around the Wickham Hotel and raises money for LGBTQIA+ groups. It features music, performers, and drag shows.
Swimming
The Commercial Swimming Club trains at the Valley Pool. This club has helped train many swimmers who have become Olympic and World Champions.
Amenities
Fortitude Valley has several parks where people can relax and play, including:
- Bedford Playground Park
- Brunswick Street Park
- Centenary Place Park
- Church Street Park
- Howard Smith Wharf Precinct
- Morse St Park
- Wilson Outlook Reserve
Images for kids
-
All Hallows' School
