Old Government House is a free heritage building on QUT’s Gardens Point campus in Brisbane, next to the City Botanic Gardens, built between 1860 and 1862 as the home of Queensland’s governors. Admission is free, and you can join a free guided tour or follow a self-guided podcast tour.
It is a short, easy stop, and it pairs well with a walk through the neighbouring gardens.
The history of Old Government House
Construction began in 1860 and the house was finished in 1862. It was designed by colonial architect Charles Tiffin in the Classical Revival style and built by Joshua Jeays. Sir George Bowen, Queensland’s first Governor, moved in with his family in April 1862.
The house was home to the first 11 Governors of Queensland. In December 1909 it was given to the University of Queensland. The university used it until the late 1930s, and the National Trust of Queensland later had its headquarters here.
The Governor moved out to Fernberg in Paddington in 1910, at first on a lease. In 1911 the government bought Fernberg for 10,000 pounds to be the permanent Government House of Queensland. Old Government House was listed by the National Trust of Queensland in 1969, which helped protect it from demolition.
QUT took over the building in 2002 and carried out a three-year restoration, and it reopened in 2009. In March 1978 it became the first building protected under Queensland heritage legislation. The reopening ceremony on 7 June 2009 marked Queensland’s 150th anniversary.
Visiting Old Government House: cost and tours
Admission is free. A one-hour guided tour runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, and tours are free too. Places are limited and bookings are essential, so book through QUT’s Old Government House website before you go. Self-guided podcast tours are also available.
Opening hours are set by QUT, so check the visit page before you go.
The house is a Classical Revival design. After the three-year restoration it reopened to the public in 2009, and it is now a free place to look through a house that Queensland’s governors once lived in.
Cafe and gardens around it
The on-site cafe, The Pantry, serves baked goods and coffee, and there is a gift shop. The house sits on lawns on the edge of the City Botanic Gardens, on QUT’s Gardens Point campus.
Modern university buildings stand close by, so the old house and the glass towers of the city sit side by side in the same view.
How to fit Old Government House into a day
Because entry is free and the house takes under an hour, it works well as one stop in a walk through the south-eastern corner of the CBD. Start at the house, look through the rooms or join a booked tour, then wander into the City Botanic Gardens beside it. From there the CBD and its shops are a short walk away.
If you would like to know more about the people who lived here, a tour is the best option, because a guide can explain the house and the governors who lived in it. Book ahead, because places are limited.
Is Old Government House good for kids?
It suits older children who enjoy history, and the free entry makes it a low-risk stop. Plan it as a short first stop and then use the lawns of the neighbouring gardens.
Planning your visit
- How long: 30 to 60 minutes for the house; more if you take a tour or stop at the cafe.
- Cost: free. The cafe and any parking are extra.
- Tours: free, one hour, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, booking essential.
- Accessibility: disabled access is available; contact the operator on 07 3138 8005 for details.
Getting there and parking
Old Government House is at 2 George Street, on QUT’s Gardens Point campus. By car it is about 1.6 km from the Brisbane CBD, about 5 minutes without traffic.
A car park is listed among the facilities, but cost and location are not stated, so check QUT’s visit page. Plan a public transport trip with the Translink Journey Planner or call 13 12 30.
More detail is on QUT’s Old Government House visit page. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- Brisbane City Botanic Gardens – the gardens next door, for a walk after the house.
- Brisbane Arcade – a 1924 heritage shopping arcade in the CBD.
- State Library of Queensland – free exhibitions and a river view across the water.
- Queen Street Mall – shops and food, a short walk up the street.
- Queensland Museum Kurilpa – free entry and dinosaurs on the south bank.
- Brisbane City Hall – another heritage landmark in the CBD.
Browse more history and landmarks or everything in Brisbane.
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- Goodwill Bridge (South Brisbane)
- South Brisbane Memorial Park
- Neville Bonner Bridge (South Brisbane)
Quick answers
Is Old Government House free?
Yes, admission is free. Guided tours are free too but need a booking.
When are the tours at Old Government House?
A one-hour guided tour runs on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. Places are limited and bookings are essential.
What are the opening hours of Old Government House?
Opening hours are set by QUT, so check the Old Government House visit page before you go.
Where is Old Government House in Brisbane?
At 2 George Street on QUT’s Gardens Point campus, next to the City Botanic Gardens.
Who lived in Old Government House?
The first 11 Governors of Queensland and their families, starting with Sir George Bowen in 1862.
Where do I park for Old Government House?
A car park is listed at the site, but cost and location are not stated, so check QUT’s visit page.
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