The historic Shorncliffe train station in Brisbane will soon undergo a “once-in-a-generation” renovation after a seven-year journey to preserve its rich rail history.
The major upgrade will incorporate preservation works, including restoring the old station buildings to their 1914 footprint.
The existing World War II era air raid shelter will also be preserved, and accessibility improvements will be made – including a new ramp to the station and accessible toilets.
Other accessibility works will include 90 metres of high-level platform raising, hearing augmentation loops and tactile ground surfaces.
New CCTV will also be installed, as well as customer information screens and lighting.
This stage of the upgrade follows the meticulous excavation of the ticket office subfloor, where more than 400 historical items from the last century were discovered in 2019.
These discoveries have been catalogued by a third-party heritage specialist and included 100-year-old train tickets, newspaper clippings, bottles, and clothing.
A 1940s sailor’s cap was also found and returned to its owner’s family – seven decades later – in a heartwarming reunion.
Queensland Rail said that while the archaeological process impacted timeframes for the Shorncliffe upgrade, subsequent reviews of the project scope have ensured it will deliver “meaningful benefit to the community with responsible use of taxpayer funds”.
With that process completed and necessary bracing works for the ticket office also finished, Shorncliffe station will close for main construction on 29 November 2025.
Customers will be connected to the nearby Sandgate station, which is a three-minute drive away, via a shuttle bus loop service.
St Patrick’s College at Shorncliffe will also be serviced by a separate, dedicated bus for students, which will run to and from Sandgate station direct to the school.
Shorncliffe station carpark will partially close on 16 October 2025 for site establishment works ahead of the full closure.
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton said Shorncliffe’s main construction milestone was a long time in the making.
“Preserving and celebrating historic Shorncliffe station is a key focus for Queensland Rail, and this upgrade will enhance our rich rail history while delivering safer, modern and more accessible public transport for all customers,” she said.
“We have taken the time to review the project for value for money and now we’re delivering a station upgrade with benefits for the community, while taking care with taxpayer funds, and we’re excited to start on the major works.
“We want to reassure the community and our customers that works will be undertaken as efficiently and safely as possible with careful consideration of the historic and heritage elements of Shorncliffe station.”
Shorncliffe train station was built in 1897 and was originally a resort station for turn-of-the-century holidaymakers.
It is one of the few surviving works by famous Queensland Railways architect Henrik Hansen.
