Free Museums in Queensland

"Situated in Stanley Place on the South Bank of the Brisbane River, the Queensland Art Gallery is the state’s major visual arts institution, housing more than 15,000 Australian and international paintings, sculptures and decorative art. It’s worth letting a Volunteer Guide share their knowledge and take you on a 30-40 minute tour of the gallery to get some perspective of the huge range of works that make up the expanding collection. Address: South Bank, Stanley Place, Cultural Precinct, Brisbane, 4101Telephone: +61 7 3840 7303.Opening times:"

"Lovers of arts and culture will want to have the Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA) top of their list of things to do in Brisbane. Not only is it the largest museum of art in Australia, but it is also one of the preeminent institutions in the Asia-Pacific, contributing a range of compelling modern and traditional art experiences that will move and astonish you. The main building is the Queensland Art Gallery (QAG), established within the Queensland Cultural Centre in South Bank."

"These two galleries at South Bank, jointly referred to as QAGOMA, form the centerpiece of Brisbane's cultural precinct. Holding more than 17,000 artworks by national and international artists, QAGOMA has a particular focus on contemporary Asian and Pacific art. Recent exhibitions include a collection of painted car hoods from a Western Desert community known as the Kayili artists and a selection of video art by Indigenous Australians."

"The Queensland Maritime Museum has real ships such as the warship Diamantina and the lugger Penguin as well as classic ship models, marine memorabilia, photographs, paintings, lighthouse equipment and many other historic items. It is a hands-on museum run by passionate volunteers, many of whom are retired ship masters, marine engineers, and ex-naval personnel. Cnr Stanley & Sidon Streets, South BrisbaneDaily 9.30am to 4.30pmAdmission charge"

"With the variety of large and fascinating exhibits on offer, the whole family will be sure to enjoy a visit to the Queensland Maritime Museum. The museum allows visitors to explore and discover plenty of historic vessels for themselves, with popular showcases being the ‘Diamantina’ warship, ‘Penguin’, and more. For more information or to plan your visit, head to the Queensland Maritime Museum website."

"A hidden gem of Brisbane that many locals don’t seem to know, the QUT Art Museum is located on the edge of the City Botanical Garden and is an intimate university gallery showcasing rotating internally curated exhibitions, commissioned projects and touring exhibitions of modern and contemporary works by Australian artists. Always thought-provoking, entry is typically free and visiting only takes around an hour. If you make it here, you should combine it with a visit to their sister gallery nearby in the stately Old Government House dedicated to the works of Australia’s pre-eminent landscape artist, William Robinson."

"Queensland University of Technology’s Art Museum is located at the Gardens Point campus and shows off a range of modern and contemporary art. They display a diverse suite of in-house curated exhibitions drawn from the university’s own art collection, commissioned art projects and touring exhibitions. The exhibitions are generally technology enabled or in relation to future tech and innovation."

"This fine collection of 2000 plus contemporary works encompasses sculpture, painting and decorative arts and as such has a strong showing of Australian art from the 1960’s onwards."

"On the grounds of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mount Coot-tha, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetariumis a fun destination for up-and-coming astronomers and curious kids of all ages. The planetarium displays fascinating exhibits, including a life-size replica of Neil Armstrong's Apollo spacesuit, images from the Hubble Space Telescope, and interactive exhibits of the Milky Way and the moon, among others. The excellent shows in the Cosmic Skydome, a projection dome measuring 12.5 meters in diameter, feature topics such as cosmic collisions, moons, and black holes."

"Within the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is one of the city's hidden gems. The Cosmic Skydome, a 40-foot-diameter projection dome, is the main attraction, along with some interesting traditional displays and an observatory. The planetarium's namesake built Australia’s first astronomical observatory in Sydney and charted the Southern Hemisphere’s stars during the early 1800s."

"Just outside the CBD, you’ll find Mt Coot-tha – the closed mountain to the city, which from the top offers amazing panoramic views of the city. There is a range of activities for families to enjoy here, including bushwalks, picnics and even a planetarium. For brilliant views of Brisbane city – it is highly recommended to go to the observation deck where on a clear day you can see all the way out to Moreton Bay."

"Enter the dazzling world of LightPlay where children can explore their artistic potential in an interactive space created especially for them!. Play with overhead projectors and illuminated light boxes and discover what happens when light is cast on different materials. Explore transparency, reflection and shadow as well as other properties of light."

"As a Covid safe compliance measure, visitors to Ipswich Art Gallery must currently pre-book their 90-minute sessions in advance. Ipswich Art Gallery is one..."

"One of the most visited regional art galleries in Queensland, the Ipswich Art Gallery is set in a handsome heritage building that was once the Town Hall"

"Queensland's most important heritage building, this 1862 showpiece was designed by estimable government architect Charles Tiffin as a residence for Sir George Bowen, Queensland’s first governor. The lavish innards were restored in 2009 and the property now offers free podcast and one-hour guided tours; the latter must be booked in advance. The first floor houses the William Robinson Gallery, dedicated to the great Australian artist and home to an impressive collection of his paintings, prints, drawings, sculpture and ceramics."

"When Queensland separated from New South Wales in 1859, it needed a new building to house its independent government. Today, you can learn about colonial life in Queensland by taking a tour of this building, Old Government House, and its grounds, including the drawing room, storeroom, and servant's hall. The museum also has a variety of historical artifacts, as well as video and multimedia exhibits."

"Level one of the Queensland Museum in South Bank hosts the SparkLab, ScienCentre, a fun collection of interactive exhibits that keep busy brains buzzing. Children can spend hours here, learning about their body by taking their vital statistics; engaging in activities related to weight, space, time, sound, and energy; figuring out puzzles; and discovering how things work at the action stations. Bring your camera for fun photos of the kids in the optical illusions corner."

"Located within the Queensland Museum is the SparkLan Science Centre, an interactive science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM) space aimed at 6 to 13 year olds. I went here as a parent helper on an excursion when my daughter was in grade 3 and let me tell you the kids just loved it here – they could have easily spent the entire day here!. While the space seems quite small when entering, there is actually so much to do here."

"The RAAF base at Amberley is the largest Air Force base in Australia, with an incredible 5,000 personnel employed there. At the base's Aviation Heritage..."

"There’s nothing dusty or musty about this slick little timber building on the edge of the Old Petrie Town car park."

"When General Douglas MacArthur arrived in 1942 it was a top-secret affair and the MacArthur family kept a low profile during their two-year stay. His office is a now a museum which explores Brisbane in the years around the Second World War. Level 8, MacArthur Chambers, 201 Edward St., Brisbane."

"Few who pass the glass doors of MacArthur Chambers Hotel would know that it was from this building that General Douglas MacArthur directed the Allies in holding back the Japanese invasion."

"This museum was the office that General Douglas MacArthur worked in when he arrived in Australia in 1942. The museum explores the Brisbane atmosphere during World War II."

"The Queensland Maritime Museum has real ships such as the warship Diamantina and the lugger Penguin as well as classic ship models, marine memorabilia, photographs, paintings, lighthouse equipment and many other historic items. It is a hands-on museum run by passionate volunteers, many of whom are retired ship masters, marine engineers, and ex-naval personnel. Cnr Stanley & Sidon Streets, South BrisbaneDaily 9.30am to 4.30pmAdmission charge"

"With the variety of large and fascinating exhibits on offer, the whole family will be sure to enjoy a visit to the Queensland Maritime Museum. The museum allows visitors to explore and discover plenty of historic vessels for themselves, with popular showcases being the ‘Diamantina’ warship, ‘Penguin’, and more. For more information or to plan your visit, head to the Queensland Maritime Museum website."

"Our NEW Chocolate Oat dairy free treat comes served with banana and your choice of sauce - delicious!. Try it at a parlour near you. You’ll have an opportunity to enjoy the tastes of New Zealand when visiting this stylish ice-cream parlor."

"Situated at the Central Cafes, New Zealand Natural stocks premium ice cream, frozen yoghurt and sorbet in a range of flavours."

"Named after a city in Italy’s central northern region, Gelateria Cremona is surely a colourful taste of Italy in Brisbane. Sitting just a short stroll away from Gregory Park, the gelateria uses traditional Italian gelato making methods to create a mouthwatering range of gelato, sorbet and even granita. Visitors can expect to enjoy regular flavours like Cappuccino or Pistachio alongside some of their specials like Saffron & Rosewater, Dark Chocolate Sorbet and even Strawberry and Balsamic Vinegar gelato."

"If that’s not your thing though, there’s always flavours like Thai milk tea and liquorice, Anzac biscuits or durian. The flavours here are on a constant rotation, so make sure you get in regularly to try them all out. The ice cream is just like pure silk and the parlour itself has such an old-school vibe."

"Made fresh daily by a Swiss Italian artisan who sources his fruit and products personally, the gelati sold here has gained a reputation as the best in Brisbane."

"Portside Wharf, located approximately 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from the Brisbane CBD on the Brisbane River, is a residential, retail precinct with numerous cafes, restaurants, shops and cinemas."

"Expect an intimate dining experience 
at Aria with views of the Brisbane River and the Story Bridge as a backdrop. Choose from the award-winning drinks list and enjoy a glass of wine while you dine on a menu devised by Matt Moran."

"Being located in the easily reachable area, the place gives an amazing opportunity of being navigable via bus or any other public transport. The malls and stores of this place help you find all the utilities and essential things one would require during the festive season. A few eateries nearby will help you satisfy the sudden hunger and get along on the journey of shopping in Brisbane city again!"