Aloomba Hotel, Far North Queensland

I love the off the main highway places as you never know what you may find in the pursuit of Modernist buildings.  The small township of Aloomba is one such example, 30km from Cairns and a short drive off the Bruce Highway.  Check out this interesting social history story and video from the local newspaper, the Cairns Post.

Stunning country Art Deco residence - Tropical Far North Queensland

Sometimes when you think you have discovered all the Art Deco buildings in an area, there is always one around the corner to surprise you, and sometimes really amaze.  This was the case with this wonderful streamline art Deco building near Innisfail, tropical Far North Queensland.  Innisfail and the surrounding towns such as Tully & Ingham have a wonderful diversity of Art Deco and Modernist buildings.

The topical North has some very interesting buildings, many designed for the tropical climate.  I have, over the past several years dedicated many hours to photographing and documenting the region, whilst I don't have all of my collection uploaded, I continue to add them to my blog and website on a regular basis.  Check out the growing collection from the region on my website here

Ingham Squash Courts typeface + repeating design

Ingham in North Queensland has a wonderful diversity of mid 20th Century buildings, including this little gem, the Ingham squash courts.  The building dates around the 1960/70s and I love how the building uses repetitious patterns and how the blinds also give the building a striking vertical flow.  I love the typeface of this building, typeface always plays a large part of what I do when I go about photographing buildings.

Millaa Millaa Telephone Exchange

The simple no fuss lines of this telephone exchange building (circa 1960s) are to be found the Far North Queensland township of Millaa Millaa.  The period typeface logo is great, and so are the vertical blinds that were popular in post war design throughout many buildings in the tropics to protect them from the ravages of the tropics. Being that Millaa Millaa is located in the tropical highlands the blinds visually demonstrate the ravages of moisture with just a little bit off moss growth!

Art Deco flats - Townsville Strand

This example of Art Deco flats is located in the city of Townsville, along the beach waterfront area known locally as 'The Strand'  There are several examples of Modernist 20th Century design along The Strand, and this one is a real beauty, symmetrically designed through the use of a central staircase and balconies to let all breeze flow in a climate that is rather harsh in the summer months!


 

Ravenshoe Town Hall - Bold Art Deco Lines

How many Art Deco town halls must have been built around Australia?  Throughout my documentation of Art Deco and Modernism throughout Australia, the town hall has to be one of the Modernist buildings that come up again and again. They evoke a sense of community and civic pride and just look at the use of vertical banding - so very Art Deco! This town hall is in the township of Ravenshoe in tropical Far North Queensland.

Breeze Block + Concrete = Wonderful Modernist Cairns design

Check this fascinating use of breeze block and concrete out that I spotted in Cairns, Far North Queensland.  Breeze block is used so much in Far North Queensland, ideal for keeping the sun out and the cool breeze flowing into the interior spaces.  Check out the top detailing of the concrete - inspirational Modernist architecture!

Sugar Research Institute Building - Sarina

Across the road from the imposing Sarina Sugar Mill is the stunning Post War Sugar Research Institute.  I love the main entrance details and the conformity of the windows on either side.  I am not sure if the site is still used for its original purposes as when I was there, a number of different companies were using the building.

Townsville Railway Administration Building

The Townsville Railway Administration building is a classic 1960s design, bulky red brick is the dominant feature here, and the aluminium blind overhangs are a great period design feature. I really love the modernist clock detail at the top of the tower, tops off an interesting Modernist design in the city of Townsville.

To view more photographs of my extensive collection of 20th Century Architecture visit my website......43 galleries/1078 photographs of Australian Modernism and counting!......

Abandoned Cairns Coral Twin Drive-In

The Cairns Coral Twin Drive-In located in the suburb of Woree was designed circa 1960s, and is a classic example of how popular Drive-In cinemas had become during the mid 20th Century, popping up in towns and cities across Australia. Since it's final screening over a decade ago, the complex lay in a ruin. Grass grows in true tropical style, measured not in cm but in meters, slowly taking over the massive space that would have once accommodated cars.

In such a short period of time the Drive-In has gone from being a common sight throughout Australian towns and cities, to something that is a rarity. One of the reasons I document Modernism is for the "everyday" places that are often taken for granted. Some may say this Drive-In was just a load of ashfelt and steel frames, but there is a deeper story here. It highlights a time, not that long ago, when people came and enjoyed a social outing in the great outdoors. It tells a story of a way of life that existed in the 20th Century. In the moment people probably thought that these times would not cease, but in just 40 years the Cairns Coral Twin Drive-In went from a busy social hub, to an abandoned wasteland.

The 21st Century Drive-In now stands beside the former Drive-In. This complex is bustling night and day, and often there's a cue of cars waiting for their goods - but this Drive-In is in the shape of a McDonalds restaurant.

In early July the Projector room/Cafe and main screen were demolished.The curtain had finally been drawn on this once bustling venue.

View more of my photographs of the former Cairns Coral Twin Cinema here

Cardwell Fish & Chip Shop

I've got a soft spot for the corner store. Likely because they are an Australian institution, and sadly they are a slowly disappearing. This fish and chip shop stands alone on the main highway and I really loved there was nothing surrounding it and all of the signs. Many a shop was designed in a functional style in the 20th Century....and yes you get a massive serve of chips and the service is great!

Ingham - Red & Green Art Deco Building

Ingham is located between Townsville and Cairns and it's sprawling main street has many interesting examples of Art Deco and Post War designs. It's a town that's not been promoted on it's Modernist credentials, but if you take the time to walk it's streets there are many wonderful examples to be found.

This example is located on the main street, but is tucked away to the side of the main shop, so it's often difficult to see if driving by. It's striking with it's use of red brick and green painted balustrades. Notice how the balustrade to the right curves right on into the concrete, and the curves at the top of the building. What a wonderful flowing design!

Mareeba - The Ant Hill Hotel, Atherton Tablelands

The interestingly named Art Deco hotel in Mareeba "The Ant Hill Hotel", possess some great period features. The surrounding region is very dry compared to just a short drive away where the lush green pastures and rainforest begin around Atherton. Mareeba has a long main street, typical of many towns around Australia and as such allows the Modernist enthusiast to take a long walk up each side of the street checking out what's on offer. Mareeba has a number of interesting Mid 20th Centiry buildings worth checking out, including the Ant Hill Hotel.

Art Deco Ambulance Station - Mackay

This wonderful little streamline Art Deco Building was until recent the Mackay Ambulance Station. I love it when buildings stand alone on a street, it really helps in portraying their presence.

Officially opened in 1956 it is another classic example of how Australia has many Art Deco buildings that were built much later then in Europe or America. It also has the classic 1950/60s aluminium blinds that are so common in mid 20th Century design in Queensland due to the harsh climatic conditions.

I say that it was an ambulance Station until recent times because when I took this photo it was for sale. Not a bad little place to convert into a home and imagine the space you would have for your cars and study space!

Mackay Regional Council Chambers & Water Fountain - Brutalism

The township of Mackay in Queensland has a large range of buildings from 20th Century including many interesting examples of Art Deco. One of it's most prominent buildings is the Mackay Council Chambers designed in the Brutalist style. It faces on the main road into Mackay and is one of it's most prominent landmarks. Just to the left of the building is a water feature from the period as as well. These were very popular featuring in many public spaces.

Whitsunday International Hotel 1960s Design Features - Mackay

This bold example of 1960s motel accommodation typifies the mid 20th Century when many similar styles of building went up all over Australia, especially in Queensland, the major tourist destination. A lot were to be found on the Gold Coast (Regrettably many have been demolished).

The Whitsunday Hotel has many exciting design features. The most apparent is the main entrance overhang which splays out in a zig-zag pattern. This is a very typical use of concrete in 1960s design and many similar styles can be found throughout mid 20th Century building in Australia. Another highlight of the building is the decorative use of breeze block on the upper section of the building, again typical of 1960s design. In fact I would say that these kind of breeze block is seen more in Queensland than in any other state. The use of plain red brick to create patterns is a very common trait in many 1960s designs.

The period design element of any good 1960s design is in the interior stairwell railings. If you look closely at the photograph below to the staircase you can see what I am talking about. The use of simple patters made with steel are to be found all over place in 1960s design. The most common use was in motels, and the feature can also be seen at sporting venues and public swimming pools designed in the 1950s and 1960s.

Art Deco Apartment - Brisbane

I documented the Art Deco Coronet Flats in my last blog entry and I thought it fitting to highlight these flats as they are next door to Coronet. I like this building because the main stairwell is the main feature, it's as if it has been just attached later to the main building! It's dominant and works a treat with white render finish and class cubes to allow the sunlight to enter the stairwell. You also know you're in the sub-tropics with the building surrounded by palm trees and a evergreen creeper making it's way up the building.

Coronet Art Deco Apartment - Brisbane

Today Art Deco & Modernism Architecture Australia looks at an intriguing Art Deco design that form an apartment block in Brisbane. They would have to rate as one of the most interesting and stunning examples of Art Deco apartment design in Brisbane.
The flats were completed in 1933 and the interesting use of brick work that is stepped back from the main entrance is stunning, as other the other period embellishments such as tiles and glass work.

Cardwell Anglican Church torn apart by Cyclone Yasi

Cardwell was hard hit by Cyclone Yasi. Many homes and commercial buildings were damaged by Cyclone Yasi, with the Bruce Highway that connects Cairns to Brisbane cut off, having tonnes of sand over it and much of the highway has been washed into the ocean.

The Modernist post War designed Anglican Church wasn't spared. It's roof and walls were torn away, and all that remained were the pews that stood open to the elements. To see a photograph of what remains go here

The Modernist Church was fascinating because it uses the Australian vernacular of tin as a major building product for it's roofing and walls, and the timber slats upon entering would have shielded church goers from the hash tropical light and heat. I like to call it the Modernist bush vernacular. I was happy to have taken this photograph, now as a record of what once stood on the site.

Cyclone Yasi Destroys Art Deco building "Bell Chambers" - Tully

The devastation caused by Category 5 cyclone Yasi on the 3rd February has thankfully so far spared human life. There has been a large loss and damage to infrastructure and buildings including homes and businesses between Cardwell and Innisfail, including this Modernist building named "Bell Chambers", located in Tully.


Tully has a large number of Art Deco and Modernist commercial buildings, and sadly it looks like the fate of one of them has been sealed. This design was typical of many buildings built in Tully and throughout the region during the 1930-50s. Similar vernaculars can be seen in places nearby such as Innisfail, Ingham, Millaa Millaa, Malanda and Atherton. It was common for the Art Deco/Modernist style to continue being built well into the 1950s in Australia, in many cases as a result of designs being drawn up prior to the Second World War.

The concrete overhangs of Bell Chambers gave protection from the harsh tropical sun, and my photograph highlights the original windows that were still intact on the right hand side of the building. The coloured panelling that rises centrally on the building splays outwards slightly and is an interesting touch. Sadly, Cyclone Yasi has literally ripped half of the upper level from it's foundations.