The Kingston Butter Factory is a historic brick dairy factory in Logan, beside Kingston railway station, that now serves as a cultural precinct with a living museum, a theatre, an outdoor stage and a tea house. It is a good stop for a rainy day, a history fix or a long tea house lunch.
The factory closed as a working dairy in 1983 and reopened in July 2022 after its redevelopment into the Kingston Butter Factory Cultural Precinct.
What is open at the Kingston Butter Factory
The precinct is run by Logan City Council and Logan Arts. These are the parts a visitor can use.
Living Museum of Logan
A contemporary social history museum inside the main brick building. It is open 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and also opens when performances or events are on. It is closed Sunday and Monday. Exhibitions change, so check the Living Museum of Logan page for what is showing.
Butterbox Theatre and the outdoor stage
The Butterbox Theatre is a 220-seat black box theatre for music, drama, comedy, workshops and talks. The outdoor stage is Logan’s largest purpose-built outdoor event space, and the precinct can hold up to 5,000 people outdoors. Check the Logan Arts precinct page for shows and events.
Devon Pixies Tea House
The tea house is in the restored workers’ cottage, with dining inside or out on the verandah. It serves a daily menu and takes high tea bookings. It is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, with Sunday for group bookings only. Book ahead through devonpixies.com.au.
Logan City Historical Museum
The precinct also houses the Logan City Historical Museum, run by the Logan City Historical Museum Society. It covers Logan’s pioneering past. Logan Arts lists it as open 10 am to 3 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, but Logan City Council’s precinct page gives no opening hours for it, so check before you go by calling 0426 147 446.
Workshops, events and group visits
Beyond the permanent displays, the Living Museum runs a range of free and paid workshops and events, and offers free tours or talks for booked school and group visits. The museum also opens its doors whenever a performance is on in the Butterbox Theatre, so an evening show can double as a look around.
The precinct can be hired for events, from 16 to 220 people indoors and up to 5,000 outdoors, according to Logan City Council. Bookings go through the precinct on 07 2803 4701 or [email protected].
The history of the Kingston Butter Factory
Dairying was a major industry in this area around the turn of the 20th century, and the Southern Queensland Dairy Company factory was established in 1906. The original timber building was rebuilt in brick in 1932. It ran as a co-operative until the late 1950s, and butter output reached 40 to 50 tonnes a week by 1930.
The factory closed in 1983. After funding from Logan City Council in 1998 it became a community arts centre, and it was redeveloped into the cultural precinct that reopened in July 2022. The open-air stage launched in March 2022.
Planning your visit
- How long: allow an hour or two for the museum and a meal at the tea house.
- Cost: no general admission price is published on the pages checked, so confirm with the museum on 07 2803 4724. The tea house is extra, and some workshops and events are paid.
- Closed days: the museum is closed Sunday and Monday, though it opens for events.
- Accessibility: accessible parking, bathrooms and seating, a ramp to the outdoor stage, step-free wheelchair access from Kingston Station, hearing assistance technology, a hush room, a changing space and baby change facilities.
- Handy extras: free phone charging stations.
Getting there and parking
The precinct is at 270 Jacaranda Avenue, Kingston. By car it is about 26 km and about 30 minutes from the Brisbane CBD with no traffic. Parking on site is free.
By train, Kingston station is on the Beenleigh line and the factory is next to it, with step-free wheelchair access from the station. Check the Translink Journey Planner before you travel, as weekend track work can affect the line. More information is on the Logan City Council page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Beenleigh – museums, parks and a distillery, down the same train line.
- Loganholme – riverside parks and history.
- Logan River – fishing, paddling and picnics.
- Daisy Hill Koala Centre – koalas and bush walks.
- Browns Plains – parks, trails and playgrounds.
- Logan Village – a village museum and playgrounds.
Browse more history and landmarks, museums and Logan days out.
Events in the area
- ImagiNation Children’s Festival – see the post for the next dates.
You might also like
- Treasury Building (Brisbane City)
- Regent Theatre (Brisbane City)
- Toowong Memorial Park (Brisbane)
Quick answers
What is the Kingston Butter Factory now?
A cultural precinct with the Living Museum of Logan, the Butterbox Theatre, an outdoor stage, the Logan City Historical Museum and Devon Pixies Tea House.
What are the Kingston Butter Factory opening hours?
The Living Museum of Logan is open 10 am to 4 pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and when events are on. Devon Pixies Tea House is open Tuesday to Saturday from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
Is there parking at the Kingston Butter Factory?
Yes, free on-site parking, including accessible parking.
Can you get to the Kingston Butter Factory by train?
Yes. It is next to Kingston station on the Beenleigh line, with step-free access from the station.
When was the Kingston Butter Factory built?
The company was established in 1906 and the building was rebuilt in brick in 1932. It closed in 1983 and reopened as a precinct in July 2022.
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