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The Brisbane art galleries to lose yourself in

Kristie Lau-AdamsBy Kristie Lau-Adams
Whether you’re an art connoisseur or simply craving fresh inspiration, the best Brisbane art galleries curate eye-opening creativity.

In my opinion, a trip to any big city isn’t complete without stickybeaking through its artistic epicentres, and Brisbane flows with treasures. I love its major art galleries the most, with many found at South Bank in the centre of town, but there’s also outdoor installations and more low-key exhibits that reliably entertain. Here, my guide to the best Brisbane art galleries to pave a path of wide-eyed wonderment.

In short

If you only visit one of the best Brisbane art galleries, make it QAGOMA, the South Bank double-header. The modern facility (Gallery of Modern Art) reminds me of one of New York City’s soul-stirring art hubs, while the Queensland Art Gallery’s grand lobby instils deep tranquillity.

The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)

a woman admiring artworks at The Queensland Art Gallery | Gallery of Modern Art (QAGOMA)
QAGOMA features revolutionary exhibitions. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

QAGOMA collectively labels two riverside galleries sitting a mere 150 metres apart in South Bank’s Queensland Cultural Centre – and I can’t get enough of either of them. The Queensland Art Gallery offers more of your traditional art experience (with the bonus of a staggeringly grand lobby and a quaint sculpture garden), while the Gallery of Modern Art is, you guessed it, the modern one and home to incredible contemporary artists including Danish-Icelandic Olafur Eliasson whose ‘Presence’ exhibition will light up the end of December 2025 and the first half of 2026. Together, they hold more than 20,000 works of historical, modern, and contemporary art, including iconic Indigenous and Australian collections. Both Brisbane art galleries are open daily from 10am until 5pm and both are incredibly mindful of visitors with access needs – think loanable wheelchairs, sensory kits, assisted hearing services, disabled parking spots and more.

Admission: Free, but certain exhibitions and events are ticketed

Address: Stanley Pl, South Brisbane

Birrunga Gallery

artworks displayed at Birrunga Gallery & Dining, Brisbane
Birrunga Wiradyuri’s creative works span diverse mediums. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

An incredible spot to spy some of the most moving First Nations artwork in the city, Birrunga Gallery is owned and run by Wiradyuri man Birrunga Wiradyuri, an artist himself. His passion creates a special space as creative works span so many different mediums including painting, dance, music, performance, storytelling sessions and more. Step inside to immerse yourself in the history of our beautiful land while an on-site cafe dishes up plates that embrace native ingredients and fresh local produce. It’s open from Monday to Friday, 7am until 5pm, and you’ll need to find street parking as there’s no car park attached to this Brisbane art gallery.

Admission: Free, but certain exhibitions and events are ticketed

Address: 19 Cribb St, Milton

Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery

artworks by Greg Chambers at Brisbane City Council’s Outdoor Gallery
The vibrant artworks of Greg Chambers liven up the entertainment precinct of Fish Lane. (Image: Brisbane City Council)

Move over, Melbourne. Brisbane embraces its sun-drenched outdoor spaces by dotting them with vibrant artworks for all to enjoy. I especially love the big cheesy ‘Brisbane’ sign on the Brisbane River at South Bank (as do my kids who climb through the letters to find impromptu hidey holes). The Brisbane City Council Outdoor Gallery was created to transform traditionally unexpected canvases, like laneways and car parks, into imaginative, curious and engaging spaces. From time to time, the council even stages exhibitions throughout its streets with ‘Amplify Me!’ unveiled in November 2025 and running until October 25, 2026.

Admission: Free

Address: City-wide

Museum of Brisbane

a family admiring artworks inside the Museum of Brisbane
Admire multiple exhibitions at the Museum of Brisbane. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

A totally hidden gem, despite its loaded title. The Museum of Brisbane is located on the third floor of Brisbane City Hall, an unsuspecting spot I love to escape to when the hustle and bustle of the city (or heat alone) proves too much. One of the best Brisbane art galleries, it’s filled with multiple exhibitions at a time, in addition to tours of the iconic Clock Tower that run every 15 minutes from 10:15am until 4:45 pm. Up your alley? Just make sure you book in advance because spots are limited – the views across the city are that good. It’s open from 10am until 5pm daily and the museum itself welcomes visitors with access needs, but please note that the Clock Tower is not accessible.

Admission: Free

Address: Level 3, Brisbane City Hall, 64 Adelaide St, Brisbane

Brisbane Powerhouse

Brisbane Powerhouse as seen from above
Perched on the waterfront, Brisbane Powerhouse has long been a creativity hub overlooking the Brisbane River. (Image: Tourism and Events Queensland)

The Brisbane Powerhouse is a hub for creativity, art and innovation, set in digs that stare straight out over the Brisbane River. While not exclusively an art gallery, the space is home to a large collection of permanent creative works and temporary installations. It also dons a bunch of heritage-listed graffiti from artists including Lister, Blek le Rat, Kasino and Ben Reeves. Touring big-ticket exhibitions include the World Press Photo Exhibition and the Brisbane Portrait Prize so you can expect huge crowds when something’s in town. The cherry on top? This Brisbane art gallery is also home to Bar Alto, one of the best restaurants in Brisbane, so lunch is sorted. It’s open daily from 9am until late and there’s an on-site car park with paid spaces.

Admission: Free, but certain exhibitions and events are ticketed

Address: 119 Lamington St, New Farm

QUT Art Museum

Installation view of 'Thinking into Being' at QUT Art Museum
‘Thinking into Being’ installation by Emma Coulter at QUT Art Museum.

The Queensland University of Technology’s artistic centre, QUT Art Museum , exhibits more than 2000 objects, including paintings and sculptures, predominantly from Australian artists. The exhibitions are mostly contemporary, technology-enabled or in relation to future tech and innovation so you can expect some mind-blowing action. In December 2025, the space was undergoing repairs due to storm damage, so check the website to see if they’re open during your next Brisbane visit. In much better news, QUT Art Museum’s sister gallery, the William Robinson Gallery, is proudly dedicated to the works by Australia’s pre-eminent landscape artist, William Robinson, so it’s also worth a steady gander.

Admission: Free

Address: Queensland University of Technology 2, George St, Brisbane

Metro Arts

Metro Arts exhibits both visual art and performance, offering a closer look at experimental boundary-pushing schools of thought. Throughout the year, the Brisbane art gallery plays host to guest artists in residence as they extend and experiment with their practice to create new contemporary masterpieces. There are also a series of exhibitions put on over the year. It’s open from Monday to Friday, 9am until 5pm, and there’s ample parking within West Village, where the gallery is located.

Admission: Free for art exhibitions, while live events are ticketed

Address: 97 Boundary St, West End

Woolloongabba Art Gallery

artworks displayed inside Woolloongabba Art Gallery, Brisbane
Woolloongabba Art Gallery’s ethos is steeped in cultural appreciation.

The Woolloongabba Art Gallery is dedicated to a stylistically varied selection of local and Australasian art. The message, overall? Deep cultural appreciation, where sourcing Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art is only done through 100 per cent owned and operated systems in and around Brisbane. Inside, there are three exhibition spaces to explore, spanning a multitude of mediums including painting, drawing, sculpture and beyond. It’s open from Tuesday to Friday from 10am until 5pm, plus Saturday from 10am until 3pm. There’s a small car park located right behind the gallery but if it’s full, it’s not too hard to find street parking.

Admission: Free

Address: 613 Stanley St, Woolloongabba

Judith Wright Arts Centre

A performance space for visual arts, and a thriving centre for the development of original contemporary works, the Judith Wright Arts Centre celebrates all styles including cabaret, circus, dance and more. Some of the organisations within the arts centre that regularly stage performances include the Aboriginal Centre for the Performing Arts, BlakDance, Circa and the Institute of Modern Art (more on that beauty just below). Visitors should note there’s no on-site parking, but several external parking lots are located within walking distance.

Admission: Free, but performances are typically ticketed

Address: 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

Institute of Modern Art

Inside the Judith Wright Arts Centre, the Institute of Modern Art in Fortitude Valley is a totally interactive art space that demands its own special mention. Home to genuinely groundbreaking exhibitions, it showcases works that strive to push the boundaries of everything we think we know. It’s a great spot for discovering underrepresented artists that might just shake up your perspective entirely. There’s no on-site parking, but you can leave your wheels in a nearby parking lot.

Admission: Free

Address: Ground Floor, Judith Wright Arts Centre, 420 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

Jan Murphy Gallery

artworks on display at Jan Murphy Gallery, Brisbane
See contemporary art of the highest calibre. (Image: Jan Murphy Gallery)

Looking for a traditional art gallery with white walls and rotating painting exhibitions? Jan Murphy Gallery is the spot, opened in 1995 as a dedicated seller of contemporary art of the highest calibre. Large windows facing Brunswick Street showcase the newest exhibitions, luring passers-by through an always fascinating peek before opening their eyes to serious gems. It’s open from Tuesday to Saturday from 10am until 5pm.

Admission: Free

Address: 486 Brunswick St, Fortitude Valley

Kristie Lau-Adams
Kristie Lau-Adams is a Gold Coast-based freelance writer after working as a journalist and editorial director for almost 20 years across Australia's best-known media brands including The Sun-Herald, WHO and Woman's Day. She has spent significant time exploring the world with highlights including trekking Japan’s life-changing Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage and ziplining 140 metres above the vines of Mexico’s Puerto Villarta. She loves exploring her own backyard (quite literally, with her two young children who love bugs), but can also be found stalking remote corners globally for outstanding chilli margaritas and soul-stirring cultural experiences.
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8 experiences that make Moreton Bay the best getaway

    Rachel LayBy Rachel Lay
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    From the moment you arrive in Moreton Bay, stunning natural vistas, fresh and tasty dining, history and more invite you to stay and play.

    Untouched national park, mirror-like lagoons and endless stretches of beaches all make Moreton Bay experiences feel like you’ve stumbled across a secret Queenslanders collectively vowed not to tell. Yet it’s easily accessible. Explore further and discover hinterland farms, ancient rainforest, fresh seafood and more: there’s something on offer for every pace, interest and generation.

    Just 20 minutes from Brisbane Airport, it’s hard to believe how underrated this Queensland getaway is. Here’s your ultimate guide to rediscover play with unmissable experiences in Moreton Bay.

    1. G’Day Adventure Tours, Bribie Island

    G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience
    Explore Bribie Island with G’Day Adventure Tours.

    G’Day Adventure Tours’ Sea to Table Experience should be your first agenda item in Moreton Bay. Take a 4WD journey through the sandy tracks of Bribie Island’s beaches to the still, glassy waters of the island’s lagoons. Glide over perfect replicas of paperbarks and fluffy blue clouds mirrored in the lagoon waters in your kayak. Listen as native birdsong echoes around you.

    Then, it’s on to Fort Bribie. During the Second World War, these concrete bunkers – now slowly being enveloped by the dunes – were the last line of defence for Moreton Bay.

    End the day with a sun-dappled beach picnic of locally caught Queensland prawns and famous Moreton Bay bugs. As you head home, watch the dolphins playfully dart in and out of the surf.

    2. Morgan’s Seafood at Scarborough

    Morgan’s Seafood
    It doesn’t get fresher than Morgan’s Seafood. (Image: Ezra Patchett)

    Right on the Scarborough Boat Harbour, you’ll find Morgan’s Seafood . Between the luxury yachts, you’ll also spot trawlers and fishermen delivering their day’s catch right to Morgan’s. The family-owned and operated spot is one of the best places to try the region’s eponymous Moreton Bay bug. Or, sample more of the area’s direct-from-the-boat seafood fresh at their oyster and sushi bar. If you’re lucky, your visit might coincide with a day they’ve caught tuna.

    Picture fish caught that day, prepared and then served to you as fresh sashimi as the sun sets over the unique silhouette of the Glasshouse Mountains.

    3. Woorim Beach, Bribie Island

    woorim beach bribie island
    Hang 10, or relax, on Woorim Beach.

    On Bribie’s eastern coastline, you’ll find Woorim Beach : aka the closest surf beach to Brisbane. Find a place on the sand by the patrolled area or wander further south to find a quiet spot and while the day away between the shaded dunes, the pages of your book and the peaceful sound of rolling waves.

    Ask any local where to grab lunch, and they’ll direct you to Bribie Island Surf Club Bistro . Tuck into a fresh, local seafood platter, just metres from the beach.

    4. D’Aguilar National Park

    D’Aguilar National Park
    Admire the landscapes of D’Aguilar National Park.

    D’Aguilar National Park is a 40,000-hectare slice of greenery that stretches from urban Brisbane right up to Woodford (home of the Woodford Folk Festival). The vast expanse of park is home to ancient rainforests, eucalypt forests and shaded swimming spots hidden within gorges and under waterfalls. The area is significant for the Jinibara and Turrbal people, with ceremonial bora rings and dreaming trails all found within the park.

    Carve out some time in your itinerary to explore the park’s many trails. The Maiala day-use area is the perfect starting point for walks for all levels of ability.

    5. Arcade Wine Bar

    arcade wine bar moreton bay
    Sit down to a menu inspired by Italy.

    Opposite the Redcliffe Jetty and down a laneway, you’ll find an unassuming wine bar. Venture inside and quickly fall in love with Arcade Wine Bar , one of the region’s most beloved local haunts.

    Owners Danilo and Matt have a combined 50 years of sommelier experience, which they have poured into the menu, styling and wine list. More than just a hole-in-the-wall wine bar, Arcade Wine is an enoteca (a wine repository), whose walls are lined with bottles upon bottles of Italian wine varietals from every corner of Italy.

    Settle in with a wine and work your way through the menu inspired by Danilo’s native Italy: traditional meatballs, their quick-to-sell-out terrine, or a selection of Italian cheeses, charcuterie and arancini.

    6. Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail

    Away from the ocean, tucked in the hinterland, is the Wamuran & Loop Rail Trail . Perfect for cyclists or walkers, the trail was built to showcase the history of the Caboolture to Kilcoy rail corridor (last operating in 1964) and makes for the perfect family day out. The trail runs for 10.5km and connects Wamuran and Caboolture via an accessible path.

    Pass through former railroad, bridges and shaded bushland as you cut from A to B. Plus, visit in winter for a detour along the way to one of the many pick-your-own strawberry farms.

    7. Farm Visits

    Beaches, mountains and history make an enticing combination. But Moreton Bay also brings hinterland, family-friendly farms to the table. Trevena Glen is one of the area’s most loved, with bunnies, ponies, sheep, alpacas (and more) available to visit for the kids. For the adults, book a horse-riding session and be treated to a grazing platter as you watch the sun set over the mountains of D’Aguilar National Park.

    At White Ridge Farm , find camels, putt-putt, train and tractor rides and all kinds of animals. The entire farm is paved, making it accessible for all.

    8. Miss Sprinkles

    Miss Sprinkles Gelato moreton bay
    Pick your scoop at Miss Sprinkles Gelato.

    An ice cream at the beach is one of life’s most perfect pleasures. While in town, stop by Miss Sprinkles for the locals’ pick of homemade gelato on the Scarborough foreshore.

    The gelato here is made the authentic Italian way and scooped up just across from the beach. Or, settle in at their kitschy pink wooden tables for traditional gelato in the sunshine.  Aside from the homemade gelato, you’ll also find tarts, pies and even doggie gelato.

    To start planning your Moreton Bay trip, or for more information, head to visitmoretonbay.com.au.