Brisbane Powerhouse is a council-owned arts centre in a former power station on the Brisbane River at New Farm, with theatres, a free gallery, restaurants and a Saturday farmers market out the front. You can walk in any day to look around, eat by the river or see a show.
It sits at the edge of New Farm Park, so it pairs easily with a picnic, a river walk or an evening out.
What’s on at Brisbane Powerhouse
The Powerhouse runs over 1,250 performances and events a year, across theatre, comedy, music, dance, film, talks, visual arts and digital arts. Festivals it produces or powers include the Brisbane Comedy Festival, Melt and Night Feast.
The performance spaces are the Powerhouse Theatre, the Underground Theatre, the Turbine Platform and the Stores Building, with the Fairfax Studio gallery on the ground floor.
To see what is on, open the What’s on page. You can filter by date, festival or genre (comedy, family, music, theatre or visual), and each listing has a Book button that links to the ticket seller. The venue is cashless, though Bar Alto and Mary Mae’s still take cash.
The free gallery and the building
The Fairfax Studio is a contemporary art gallery on the ground floor, free and open year-round. Guided tours cost $15 for adults with a minimum group of 10, and do not run on Sundays or public holidays.
The building has a story too. It generated power for Brisbane’s tram network, which closed in 1971 and left the building derelict. Artists and squatters moved in, and some of their aerosol art is now heritage-listed. Brisbane City Council reacquired it in 1989, and it opened as Brisbane Powerhouse on 10 May 2000.
Brisbane Powerhouse markets
Powerhouse Farmers Markets run every Saturday from 6 am to 12 noon on Lamington Street in front of the building. Entry is free and the organiser, Jan Powers, says dogs are welcome.
Restaurants and cafes
- Mary Mae’s – all-day European-style dining with river views. Open Mon to Thu 8 am to 3 pm, Fri 8 am to 8 pm, Sat 8 am to 9 pm, Sun 8 am to 7 pm.
- Bar Alto – an Italian restaurant. Open Tue 9:30 am to 5 pm, Wed to Sat 9:30 am till late, Sun 9:30 am to 5 pm.
- Vertigo – a vertical dining experience, Friday and Saturday from 5:30 pm, plus extra hours for events.
Hours can change, so check the visit page.
Brisbane Powerhouse parking
There are two options.
- Brisbane Powerhouse car park (enter from Lamington Street): 148 paid spaces, open 24 hours. Under 30 minutes is free; 30 minutes to 3 hours is $10 and 3 to 12 hours is $12 (3 am to 5 pm); from 5 pm there is a $15 flat night rate. A lost ticket costs $20. Pay at the pay station or on exit.
- New Farm Park car park (enter from Brunswick Street): 200 free spaces. The gates are open Mon to Fri 8:30 am to 11 pm and Sat and Sun 6 am to 11 pm, and the exit gate stays open until 12:30 am.
The venue says parking is limited, so arrive early for dinner or a show.
Getting to Brisbane Powerhouse
By car, Brisbane Powerhouse is about 5.5 km from the CBD, about 15 minutes without heavy traffic.
- Ferry: the closest terminal is New Farm Park, at the end of Brunswick Street, about a 440 m walk. Check the Translink Journey Planner for times.
- Bus 196: get off at Brunswick Street at Oxlade Drive, about 480 m away through New Farm Park.
- Bus 199: get off at Merthyr Road at Hawthorne Street, about 700 m away.
Planning your visit
- How long: an hour for a look around and a coffee; a morning for the Saturday market and the park; an evening if you are seeing a show and eating.
- Best time: Saturday morning for the market, or late afternoon for the river light.
- Cost: free to enter; shows, tours, food and parking are extra.
- Accessibility: there is a drop-off area in the car park with level access to the Stores Building and lift access to the main building. All levels have lifts and accessible toilets, and the Turbine Platform has a ramp. Wheelchair seating must be requested when you book, at least 24 hours ahead, and balcony seating in the Powerhouse Theatre is not wheelchair accessible. Companion cards are accepted, and a hearing loop is available on request.
- Dogs: welcome at the Saturday markets. The venue publishes no dog policy for the building itself, so ring (07) 3358 8622 before bringing one inside.
Nearby
- New Farm Park – the jacarandas, playground and picnic space right next door.
- Howard Smith Wharves – more riverside eating under the Story Bridge.
- Story Bridge – the bridge you can see up the river.
- Newstead House – a historic house on the river, a short trip away.
- Gallery of Modern Art and Museum of Brisbane – more art and history if you are making a day of it.
- Eat Street Northshore – a food market on the river, on the Northshore Hamilton ferry line.
Browse more theatres and live music and markets.
Quick answers
Is Brisbane Powerhouse free to enter?
Yes, you can walk in and look around for free, and the Fairfax Studio gallery is free. Shows are ticketed.
How much is parking at Brisbane Powerhouse?
The on-site car park is free for the first 30 minutes, then $10 for up to 3 hours, $12 for 3 to 12 hours, and $15 flat from 5 pm. New Farm Park has 200 free spaces.
When are the Brisbane Powerhouse markets?
Every Saturday from 6 am to 12 noon, on Lamington Street in front of the building.
How do I get to Brisbane Powerhouse by public transport?
Take the ferry to New Farm Park and walk about 440 m, or take bus 196 or 199 and walk 480 to 700 m.
Can I eat at Brisbane Powerhouse?
Yes. Mary Mae’s, Bar Alto and Vertigo are all on site.
Is Brisbane Powerhouse wheelchair accessible?
Yes, with lifts to all levels and accessible toilets, but wheelchair seating must be requested when booking and the Powerhouse Theatre balcony is not accessible.
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