For decades, Toombul Shopping Centre was part of everyday life on Brisbane’s northside. It was where teenagers met friends after school, families lined up for Santa photos at Christmas, and locals gathered for groceries, coffee, movies and everyday life.
When Toombul Shopping Centre opened in October 1967, Brisbane was undergoing rapid change. Suburbs such as Nundah, Wavell Heights, Virginia and Geebung were expanding as more families moved away from the inner city in search of affordable homes and suburban living. Modern enclosed shopping centres were still relatively new in Brisbane, and Toombul quickly established itself as one of the region’s major retail destinations.
Located beside Sandgate Road and only a short walk from Toombul Railway Station, the centre was easily accessible for both motorists and commuters. Developed by the Westfield Group, the complex reflected a changing Brisbane, where suburban shopping centres were beginning to replace traditional corner stores and busy shopping strips.
From Community Hub to Redevelopment
Throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s, Toombul became a familiar part of everyday life for many Brisbane families. Expansions brought department stores, cinemas, food courts and casual dining, transforming the centre into a popular social hub as well as a shopping destination. For many locals, memories of the centre remain closely tied to the iconic Big T sign, which became a well-known northside landmark throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
Even as larger shopping centres emerged across Brisbane, Toombul retained a quieter and more community-focused atmosphere that many residents preferred. Weekend shopping trips, school holiday movie outings, and chance encounters with neighbours became part of the centre’s enduring appeal.
However, Toombul’s long history came to a sudden end following the devastating February 2022 floods. Severe flooding caused extensive damage throughout the complex, and later that year, the owners, Mirvac, announced the centre would not reopen.
Demolition began in 2024, marking the end of an era for Brisbane’s northside. While the original shopping centre is gone, plans are now underway to transform the site into a new mixed-use precinct featuring retail, residential housing and community spaces designed for Brisbane’s future.
Featured image: Toombul Shoppingtown sign in Nundah, photographed in 1994. |Image Courtesy of Brisbane City Archives, Brisbane City Council (BCC-C35-941292-13).
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