11 of Brisbane’s best museums, galleries and theatres

By Lana Bogunovich

You could easily spend the entire day in Brisbane's galleries and museums. Then, by night, immerse yourself in a world of music, performance, and storytelling in one of its many theatres. With the arts scene constantly evolving, there's always plenty to see. 

QAGOMA – Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art

Where: South Bank

No visit to Brisbane would be complete without a visit to the famous Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA). Located in the heart of Brisbane’s arts and culture precinct of South Bank, the galleries hold more than 19,000 pieces of art from all over the world. In addition, the museum also offers a dedicated Children’s Art Centre and an onsite cinema where you can watch rare and fascinating films and videos. 

Brisbane Powerhouse

Where: New Farm

Brisbane Powerhouse is one of the city’s most significant cultural landmarks. The former 1920s power station is a fine example of industrial heritage preserved and redeveloped into a multi-purpose arts and culture centre. Take a guided tour for unique insights into the building’s history and find out how it went from supplying the city’s tramway system with electricity to the thriving creative hub it is today. See the heritage-listed graffiti art that adorns its walls, go behind the scenes and hear the stories of those who left a lasting impact on this special place.

Street art

Where: Brisbane and surrounds

From graffiti art adorned alleyways to outdoor sculptures, Brisbane’s vibrant street art scene is full of surprises. Wandering through the city is enjoyable in itself, but if you know where to look, you’ll be rewarded with a feast for the eyes. Spend the day graffiti hunting in the suburbs of Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Newstead and South Brisbane. If you’re searching for sculptures, you’ll find everything from moving sculptures and abstract pieces to Indigenous works along the riverside’s Art and the River Public Art Trail.

Museum of Brisbane

Where: City centre

Museum of Brisbane tells the stories of the city’s evolution, from its history to its modern-day cultures. Browse through the museum’s thought-provoking collections, exhibited throughout its top floor location within the refurbished Brisbane City Hall, which overlooks the iconic Clock Tower and copper dome. The guides here have a real knack for storytelling, so be sure to book a tour.

Queensland Maritime Museum

Where: South Brisbane

Gain a deeper understanding of how Queensland has been shaped by maritime history at the Queensland Maritime Museum. Home to one of Australia’s largest maritime heritage collections, the museum offers interactive displays, rare ships and the opportunity to step aboard historic vessels. Check out the heritage-listed dry dock, and then make your way over to the Lighthouse Gallery, one of the museum’s most popular exhibitions.

Birrunga Gallery and Dining

Where: City centre

To view and purchase original artworks created by local First Nations artists, head to Birrunga Gallery and Dining. It is the only commercial arts and culture hub in Brisbane that is owned and operated by Indigenous people. Browse the work of the gallery’s founder and principal artist Birrunga Wiradyuri, which is exhibited alongside those of emerging and established First Nations artists, all of which tell the complex stories of their people’s past and present.

Queensland Museum

Where: South Bank

Queensland Museum is home to an extensive array of collections and exhibitions on natural history, cultural heritage and science. From exploring the state’s fascinating prehistoric past and its extraordinary natural biodiversity to learning about the traditions of its First Nations People and celebrating modern-day inventions, you can easily spend an entire day feeding your knowledge. Younger science enthusiasts will find their curiosity and imagination inspired at the museum’s SparkLab Sciencentre with hands-on exhibits, activities and live science experiments.

Brisbane Arts Theatre

Where: Petrie Terrace

Brisbane Arts Theatre is an independent theatre company lovingly referred to as ‘The Biggest Little Theatre in Australia’. It’s known for its captivating and innovative productions, which it has been putting on since its inception in 1936. It also provides training for emerging performing arts professionals, including those behind the scenes, and is committed to making the arts more accessible to a wider audience.

Queensland Performing Arts Centre

Where: South Bank

Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is one of the leading performance venues in Australia. It is a striking place in itself and features seven venues including three theatres, two outdoor venues, a concert hall and a gallery showcasing Queensland’s performing arts history. Choose between ballets in spacious theatres, cabaret in a more intimate setting and even free shows at the outdoor Melbourne Street Green.

Queensland Theatre

Where: South Brisbane

Queensland Theatre has been presenting a wide-ranging variety of classic, contemporary, international and Australian productions for more than 50 years. Every year it offers a season of drama, comedies and classic and new productions from Australia, America and Europe, with a number of shows co-produced with other theatre companies and performing arts organisations. The theatre involves different actors from around the country for its productions, and has a number of educational programs in the performing arts.

La Boite’s Roundhouse Theatre

Where: Kelvin Grove 

Having opened its doors in 1925, La Boite is one of Australia’s oldest theatre companies and home to the iconic Roundhouse Theatre. Located within the Queensland University of Technology’s Kelvin Grove campus, this theatre company is renowned for paving the way for emerging talent and producing new works. Its productions tend to be entertaining and emotive, creating a connection between the audience and the performers.