The Old Museum Brisbane is a heritage-listed brick building at 480 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, built in 1891 as the Exhibition Building and later home to the Queensland Museum. Today it is a concert hall and rehearsal venue, and you can admire it from the street any time.
It is not a museum you walk through any more, so the way to see it is to arrive early for a show, an event or a market, or to look at it on a walk through Bowen Hills and Fortitude Valley.
The history of the Old Museum
The building was designed by George Henry Male Addison and its foundation stone was laid on 25 April 1891. It was built for the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association and replaced an exhibition building that burned down in 1888. It was completed in August 1891.
The State Government took over the building in 1897. From then until 1930 the concert hall was Brisbane’s main concert venue, and Dame Nellie Melba and Ignaz Paderewski both gave recitals there. The Queensland Museum moved in during 1899 and stayed until 1986, when it moved to South Bank. In between, from 1930 to 1974, the concert hall housed the Queensland Art Gallery.
The Queensland Youth Orchestras moved their office and operations in during early 1989 and are still based there. The building has been on the Queensland Heritage Register since 1992.
What you can see and do
The building from the street
The most accessible way to see the Old Museum is from Gregory Terrace and the corner of Bowen Bridge Road. It is free, and it takes a few minutes with a camera.
Concerts and events inside
The Concert Hall seats 420 theatre style, and the spaces are hired for performances and events. The hall also has the William Anderson organ, built around 1890, which was in St Stephen’s Cathedral from 1921 to 1987 and was installed here in the 1997 refurbishment.
Visits are Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm, by appointment only, so contact venue management on (07) 3257 4089 before you turn up. It is not open to walk through otherwise.
The three studios seat 170 to 200 people theatre style each, and the Northern Verandah holds up to 100. The Queensland Youth Orchestras rehearse and perform in the spaces, and the venue is also hired for other performances and functions.
Planning your visit
- How long: A few minutes for the building from outside; an event or concert is the way to see inside.
- Cost: The building is free to look at. Event and concert tickets are set by each organiser.
- Accessibility: The Concert Hall floor seating is wheelchair accessible and the studios are reached by a ramp at the Exhibition Hall front door. Carers with a companion card can call the box office on (07) 3741 7957 for a free companion ticket. The venue does not list a lift or public toilets, so call venue management on (07) 3257 4089 about your needs.
Getting there and parking
The Old Museum is about 2.5 km and about 5 minutes by car from the Brisbane CBD, without traffic.
There is no patron parking on site, because the car park is kept for cast and crew. The venue suggests the RNA or King Street parking stations, or metered street parking on Gregory Terrace, King Street and nearby side streets, and it recommends arriving early. See the Old Museum venue page for the details.
By public transport, the Old Museum is about 0.6 km north of Fortitude Valley railway station along Brunswick Street. Bus stop 7 is directly outside. Check Translink for current journeys.
Nearby
- Bowen Hills – King Street dining, Bowen Park and the Showgrounds around the Old Museum.
- Brisbane Showgrounds – the home of the Ekka, just along Gregory Terrace.
- Fortitude Valley – the nearest station and the Brunswick Street malls and dining.
- Queensland Museum Kurilpa – where the museum collection lives now, at South Bank.
- State Library of Queensland – another South Bank culture stop.
- Old Government House and Newstead House – more of Brisbane’s heritage buildings.
- More on the history and landmarks page and in Brisbane.
You might also like
- St John’s Cathedral (Brisbane City)
- Go Between Bridge (South Brisbane)
- South Brisbane Memorial Park
Quick answers
Where is the Old Museum in Brisbane?
At 480 Gregory Terrace, Bowen Hills, on the corner of Bowen Bridge Road.
Is the Old Museum still a museum?
No. The Queensland Museum left in 1986 and moved to South Bank. The Old Museum is now a concert hall and rehearsal venue, and the Queensland Youth Orchestras are based there.
Can you visit the Old Museum?
You can see the outside for free from the street. To go inside, buy a ticket to a performance or event, or contact venue management about an appointment, offered Monday to Friday, 9 am to 3 pm.
Is there parking at the Old Museum?
Not on site. Use the RNA or King Street parking stations, or metered street parking on Gregory Terrace and King Street.
How do you get to the Old Museum by public transport?
Bus stop 7 is outside the building, and Fortitude Valley station is about 0.6 km away.
0 Comments