Museum of Brisbane | Hours, Exhibits & Free Tours in City Hall

If you are visiting Brisbane and looking for activities and sights to see, you must check out Museum of Brisbane, located inside the historic Brisbane City Hall. Brisbane City Hall is a heritage site that opened in 1930. Not actually a part of the original building, the museum is a contemporary area built on City Hall’s third floor. Museum of Brisbane opened in October 2003, originally situated in a room on the ground floor of City Hall, and then it moved to its current location in 2013. It honors Brisbane’s cultural legacy, celebrating its past, present, and future as well as highlighting current creativity and community within the city. Museum of Brisbane has received a number of awards since its creation, including top honors from the Museum and Galleries National Awards, as well as recognition from the National Trust of Queensland Heritage Awards and other organizations.

Exhibitions in Museum of Brisbane

Museum of Brisbane has a permanent exhibition called Perspectives of Brisbane, focusing on Brisbane’s history and development through stories, information, and media. Some of the latest exhibitions have included High Rotation, which takes a deep look at the music scene in the city from 1989 to 2019, featuring artists like Keith Urban, The Veronicas, Emma Louise, Ball Park Music, and Powderfinger.

• In the first half of 2020, Museum of Brisbane featured an exhibition on 20th century artist Lloyd Rees’ early sketches. Born in 1895 in Brisbane, Rees was a talented Australian landscape painter who was fascinated by European and Australian architecture. He won the Wynne Prize twice for his work, as well as many other honors, and his work is currently featured in museums all across the continent. Rees lived into his 90s and passed away in Tasmania in 1988.

• Future exhibitions include The Storytellers, about Brisbane‘s history shown through written and narrated stories, and Bauhaus Now, focusing on the Bauhaus style of art, design, and architecture that started in Germany in 1919.

Check In to NEXT Hotel Brisbane, Step Out to Museum of Brisbane

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN BRISBANE TODAY

Tours of Museum of Brisbane & City Hall

As an integral part of Brisbane City Hall and to advance its mission to preserve Brisbane’s history, the Museum of Brisbane supports and encourages the continuation of public, free tours in City Hall. There is a free tour to see the Brisbane City Hall Organ and Auditorium, which gives you a close look at the heritage-listed organ located in the center of the building. Other available tours are of the City Hall Clock Tower and the whole of City Hall, and all are free and available to the public. The museum also gives free tours of its exhibits.

Museum of Brisbane Hours & Holiday Schedule

Hours: Open 7 days a week, 10 AM – 5 PM
Address: Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, King George Square, Brisbane
Cost: Entry is free

Museum of Brisbane is closed on the public holidays of Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day, and opens with limited hours on Anzac Day.

Onsite Restaurants & Food

There is no food or drink allowed inside the museum (and no flash photography, no smoking, and no large bags, helmets, or umbrellas, either), but City Hall does have two cafes in the building.

• Red Cross Cafe operates under the name Commix Espresso, though it continues to be run by the Red Cross. The cafe offers affordable snacks and meals, and it can be entered through the outside door on Adelaide Street. The Red Cross Cafe also runs its Night Cafe service, helping homeless youth.

• Shingle Inn Cafe is located on the ground floor of City Hall, easily accessible through the King George Square entrance. It serves high tea and has a diverse, all-day menu. Reservations are recommended.

Check In to Pullman Brisbane King George Square Hotel, Step Out to Museum of Brisbane

FIND & BOOK A HOTEL IN BRISBANE TODAY