Museum of Brisbane Tours and Activities

Since it opened its doors in 2003, the Museum of Brisbane has been providing visitors with valuable insight into the history and development of the city. In only a decade, over 3 million people have visited this free institution housed in one of Brisbane’s most historic and iconic buildings.The City Hall and its beautiful clock tower, styled after St Mark’s Campanile in Venice, has been the centre of civic life in the city for over 80 years and is the perfect venue for visitors to discover and explore the people and places of Brisbane. With its wonderful architecture and preserved interior it is a living museum in itself and there are regular tours of the offices and chambers which have retained their classic 1920s décor – book in advance to reserve a specific time.The museum is located on the 3rd floor of the newly refurbished building and you have to take the lift to the right of the King George Square entrance foyer as there are no stairs. The collection and exhibitions are displayed across five galleries and there’s also a theatre and a lounge area.The museum focuses on the people, locations and legends that make up Brisbane’s past and present and it offers a glimpse into many of the city’s varied lifestyles, buildings and public figures. The collection includes artefacts, photographs, artworks and memorabilia from the city’s past that trace its development as an Aboriginal settlement, through European colonisation, to the modern city of today. There are also ever-changing exhibitions on topics as diverse as Brisbane’s skate culture and the river’s role in shaping the city.Check out the museum website for more information on what’s on during your visit. After you’ve finished your tour make sure to check out the panorama from the viewing platform at the top of the building’s 76-metre tower.The museum is open daily except for major public holidays and, if you don’t want to bring your bag all the way up, there’s a cloakroom on the ground floor.