Uncovering the secrets behind the City of Brisbane's settlement 190 years ago

While most residents think of John Oxley as Brisbane's founding father, the Royal Historical Society of Queensland believes Captain Henry Miller is the man who actually discovered the City of Brisbane in May 1825.

Lieutenant Oxley originally landed on the north bank near Frew Park at Milton on September 28, 1824 but did not establish any settlement in the area.

Historical Society president Dean Prangley said not many locals really know the true story of how Brisbane Town, now known as the Brisbane CBD area, was established.

"Back in May 1825 Captain Henry Miller was the first Commandant of the Moreton Bay convict settlement and he selected the area as the new settlement called Brisbane Town," he said.

"Oxley made the recommendations, he got the settlement at Redcliffe, but it was Henry Miller who actually planted the flag on Brisbane Town."

Mr Prangley said it can be confusing for the public trying to understand who discovered Brisbane first.

"Everyone gets confused as at school we were taught John Oxley established the site of Brisbane and there is a plaque near the William Jolly Bridge saying he arrived there looking for water," he said.

"He didn't though, he landed further up the river where the Milton tennis courts are, on a little creek there and followed that creek and wrote in his diary that it should be considered as a location of settlement.

"But he didn't do anything about it, so really that plaque near the William Jolly Bridge should not be there, it should be further up the river at Milton."

Moving the settlement

Redcliffe was home to the original Moreton Bay penal settlement which housed 30 convicts and was established by Captain Miller after he was sent to the location by Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane in September 1824.

"After seven months it appeared that it was not going to be successful, the land was too harsh for growing crops, the mosquitoes were very bad and the water was even worse," Mr Prangley said.

Captain Miller took it upon himself to travel up the river. He ignored Breakfast Creek (another proposed location) and selected the site near William Street in May 1825.

"He would have been attracted by the height offered by the banks at William Street and the height offered by current Wickham Terrace," Mr Prangley said.

"He could see ships coming around the Kangaroo Point reach."

While no actual date can be found in research documents for the exact landing by Captain Miller, the Historical Society plans on celebrating May 13 each year up in the lead-up to Brisbane's 200th anniversary in 2025.

"Allan Cunningham, the surveyor who discovered Cunningham's Gap, did note in his diary that it was May 1825 when they landed and set up in Brisbane Town," Mr Prangley said.

"They then started basic construction including a commandant's cottage, various bark and timber structures and other canvas tents and slowly the settlement took place.

"We can thank John Oxley for identifying the area as it was missed by Captain Cook and Matthew Flinders."

Taking settlement into his own hands

Mr Prangley said if it was not for Captain Miller's disobedience in travelling further up the river on his own accord, what is now the Brisbane CBD would never had been discovered.

"He was not looked upon kindly by the good Governor because he basically disobeyed what the Governor hoped would happen," he said.

"Captain Miller was shocked and dismayed when he was replaced by Captain Peter Bishop within 12 months, [but] he went on to start a new life as an extremely successful businessman.

"They misread Henry, he was a very competent man and we have a lot to thank him for."

This year's celebrations will include a showcase and lectures on the Lost Brisbane book created by the Royal Historical Society of Queensland.