Far more than just school field trip fodder, there are plenty of Brisbane museums to explore, all of which hold loads of interesting art, artefacts and information suited to interests of all varieties!
We’ve compiled all of them to satisfy lovers of art, science, and history! The best part? We’ve ensured that the majority of the featured museums in Brisbane city are free! Read on to learn where they all are and what they offer, then plot your cost-effective and knowledge-filled weekend.
“Queensland Art Gallery” by Wojtek Gurak is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
If you can see a life-size bronze elephant face-planting the ground, you’ve found yourself at Brisbane’s home of modern art. The piece, by Michael Parekowhai, is called The World Turns, and it fronts the state’s premier institution for the visual arts. Made up of two neighbouring galleries, you will have access to continually rotating contemporary and historical Australian and international art exhibitions that are well worth a weekend trip!
As one of the top art museums in Brisbane, Australia, the space features various programs and events. Including the Children’s Art Centre and the Australian Cinémathèque, which plays films from around the world. While perusing the many artworks, you can take a break in the outdoor cafes or award-winning restaurants and enjoy the stunning riverside location. To make a full weekend of it, our Punthill Spring Hill hotel is under 10 minutes from the gallery, so you can head back and relax after a big day.
Museum Type: Modern Art
Location: Stanley Pl, South Brisbane
“QUT Art Museum” by PaulSh is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
The QUT Art Museum is an exceptional visual art gallery that is also the custodian of the QUT Art Collection. The contemporary art focus of the museum includes a range of exhibitions that are internally curated exhibitions, commissioned or touring. Found right on the Brisbane river, the university’s extensive art collection is another lovely place to spend the day while soaking in the scenery of the CBD.
The William Robinson Gallery can also be found in Old Government House, displaying the works of the famous Australian landscape artist William Robinson. The exhibitions, public events and education programs are easy to access in the heart of the city and inclusive, friendly and un-intimidating to ensure everyone has access to a space that encourages learning through art.
Museum content: Contemporary Art
Location: U Queensland University of Technology 2, George St, Brisbane City
“Museum of Brisbane” by brewbooks is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
The Museum of Brisbane (MoB) documents the histories and contemporary cultures of Queensland and is appropriately found in Brisbane City Hall. MoB documents and celebrates the creatives and other vital figures that weave together the story of Brisbane’s history to help visitors and residents gain a deeper understanding of the area.
As Brisbane City Council’s leading history and art museum, the city’s vibrant culture is on display via a purpose-built gallery that offers stunning views of the Clock Tower and copper dome – two important heritage features in their own right. The Museum of Brisbane Collection comprises artworks and objects that tell the stories of Brisbane’s past and the many people who helped shape it into its current form.
Museum content: Brisbane/Australian History & Art
Location: Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide St, Brisbane City
“MacArthur Museum Brisbane” by U.S. Pacific Fleet is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
War-history buffs will need to add the MacArthur Museum to their must-visit list. As one of the most specific history museums in Brisbane, the stories of the Allied campaign in the South-West Pacific Area (SWPA) are told in detail here.
US General Douglas MacArthur was the Supreme Commander of the Allied forces in SWPA, and here you will learn more about the impact of the war on Brisbane as you explore the heritage-listed MacArthur Chambers. Interestingly enough, most of the SWPA headquarters were located in this same building, making it the perfect place to tell these important stories.
Museum content: Australian War History
Location: Macarthur Chambers, 201 Edward St, Brisbane City
“Sparklab Museum” by avlxyz is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
While this option does come with an entry fee, Sparklab is a fun and educational activity for the kids which offers interactive science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) for 6 to 13-year-olds.
Budding scientists will be able to get hands-on and investigate a range of interactive exhibits, see live experiments at the Science Bar or run some themselves in the Maker Space.
Sparklab also includes Science on a Sphere, a large sphere suspended from the ceiling that projects global, environmental and planetary data. This giant animated globe communicates live data on air traffic, real-time clouds, animal migration, Jupiter’s moons and more. Your young, inquisitive minds will love a visit to Sparklab, especially if they are considering studies in STEM.
Museum content: Interactive Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) for Kids
Location: Melbourne St, South Brisbane
“Queensland Police Museum” by pAkNgaH NaZRi is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
The Queensland Police Museum (QPM) collects, documents, preserves and exhibits the history of policing in Brisbane and is located on the ground floor of the Queensland police headquarters. Open to the public Monday to Thursday (and the last Sunday of the month), the exhibition space covers a range of policing themes.
Regular public programs are run, including tailored education programs, presentations with guest speakers that touch on historical stories and various crime-solving roles, and more. The archival resources of the QPM are also used to compare policing of the past with modern processes for continuous improvement.
Museum content: The History of Brisbane Policing
Location: 200 Roma St, Brisbane City
The Queensland Museum covers many topics, but the primary focus is natural history, cultural heritage, science and human achievements that help to tell Queensland’s story. It features a number of permanent galleries (including SparkLab as mentioned above) in which guests can view and interact with hundreds of objects.
The Lost Creatures gallery is the spot to visit for dinosaur enthusiasts, and the Wild State gallery documents Queensland’s biodiversity. You will quite often find a national or international touring exhibition, various education experiences, kid’s activities and more at the museum, with extra programs during school holidays. Based in the heart of Brisbane’s Cultural Precinct, you will be a short walk from the Queensland Art Gallery, Gallery of Modern Art, and the State Library, all alongside South Bank.
Museum content: Natural History, Cultural Heritage, Science and Human Achievement
Location: Corner of Grey and Melbourne Streets, South Bank, South Brisbane
“Queensland Maritime Museum” by Kgbo is licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0.
As one of Australia’s largest maritime museums, the Queensland Maritime Museum offers some huge exhibits, including the warship Diamantina and the lugger Penguin. Situated on the banks of the Brisbane River, the museum documents the history of naval activity in Brisbane with life-size ships to explore and a library that features documents, pictures, and artefacts related to maritime life.
Since 1971, the Queensland Maritime Museum has documented the marine heritage of areas such as the Great Barrier Reef, Moreton Bay, North West Coastal Region, Torres Strait and Fraser Island.
Museum content: Maritime History
Location: 412 Stanley St, South Brisbane
“Army Museum South Queensland” by Brian Yap is licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Established in 1984, the Army Museum South Queensland has been collecting, preserving and exhibiting the history of the British, Colonial and Australian Army in South Queensland. Its location on Petrie Terrace includes the Victoria Barracks, which itself holds historical significance.
The Barracks is an important part of Queensland’s history; surviving two world wars and the Vietnam war, the space is still utilised as a tri-service facility. In addition, a range of social, educational and community activities are held at the Army Museum to help tell the stories of fallen heroes and educate the public on an essential piece of Queensland’s history.
Museum content: War History & Memorabilia
Location: Victoria Barracks, Petrie Terrace
You can find one of Australia’s most in-depth collections of medical material heritage at the Marks-Hirschfeld Museum of Medical History. This diverse collection features instruments, photographs, books, personal effects and artwork documenting the history of medicine in Queensland.
From the practice of medicine in Australia to various innovations and triumphs, over 5,000 objects are catalogued, conserved, researched and administered by dedicated volunteers. This museum also happens to be home to valuable and unique items such as the first x-ray machine in Queensland, mechanical leeches, and much more!
Museum content: Medical Material Heritage
Location: UQ Faculty of Medicine, 288 Herston Rd, Herston
“Shrine of Memories Museum” by David Jackmanson is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
The ANZAC Square Shrine of Memories records the service and sacrifice of Queenslanders, Australians and other Nations during the war. The Crypt sits underneath the Shrine of Remembrance and features honour boards, memorials, plaques and sculptures in a long corridor.
A specific World War II Shrine of Memories inside of the Crypt features an illuminated mosaic along with soil from official World War II cemeteries as a tribute to those who served. The shrine is a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made by many Queenslanders during the war and an exceptional way to honour their memory.
Museum content: War Records
Location: ANZAC Square, Brisbane City
The Griffith University Art Museum sits inside one of Australia’s oldest art schools and focuses on innovative research and experimentation in art. There are continually exhibitions, education and public programs on offer along with the University’s growing art collection.
The goal is the encouragement and active learning of art in all forms with educational communications about the creative process through research, teaching, and more. University students, faculty, artists, and the public are encouraged to contribute, making for a truly unique artistic experience with every visit.
Museum content: Innovative and experimental art
Location: 226 Grey St, South Brisbane
The capital of the Sunshine State clearly offers plenty of must-visit galleries and museums based on the list above, and they make for a very exciting and thought-provoking visit! As Spring Hill is one of the most popular suburbs in Brisbane, Punthill makes it easy to visit with our Punthill accommodation, so start planning your weekend now!
