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The Brisbane art galleries to lose yourself in

Kristie Lau-Adams 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

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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

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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

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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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Wine, dine and vintage gems: 8 things you didn’t know about Toowoomba

    Kassia Byrnes Kassia Byrnes
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    There’s more to Australia’s Garden City than meets the eye.

    With Victorian-era and traditional Queenslander buildings, an abundance of manicured gardens and the famous Carnival of Flowers painting the streets in vibrant colours each spring, Toowoomba is one of the most charming regional cities in Queensland Country.

    While its beauty alone is reason enough to visit, there are lesser-known sides to Toowoomba that locals love most, from its burgeoning culinary scene to its artistic flair. Located just a 90-minute drive from Brisbane (or a direct flight from Sydney), it’s all too easy to discover on a long weekend away.

    1. There’s an awesome local arts scene

    tour group walking in front of toowoomba street art
    Find incredible works of art around Toowoomba’s streets. (Credit: Nathan McNeil)

    Australia’s second largest inland city is a flourishing arts and culture hub waiting to be discovered. Over 100 vibrant street art murals and graffiti works decorate the city, and they’re best viewed along Bank Lane and Searles Walk.

    Regional Queensland’s oldest public art gallery can also be found in Toowoomba – it’s home to 20th-century Australian works created by Queensland artists and those connected to the Toowoomba region.

    2. It has world-class farm-to-table dining

    rosalie house aerial toowoomba secrets
    Stop into Rosalie House to wine and dine.

    As a regional city, Toowoomba has direct access to incredibly fresh produce that’s shaping its culinary scene. At sunset, head to the verandah at Rosalie House Cellar Door Restaurant for a grazing-style dining experience and to discover Queensland’s underrated wine scene. Indulge in dishes such as Warilba lamb rump and roasted pumpkin with ginger-roasted potatoes and lime yoghurt, paired with their delicious cool-climate wines.

    For a more relaxed affair, sweet tooths should make a beeline for award-winning The Baker’s Duck. Be sure to try their cult favourite strawberry cheesecake danish; you’ll learn why 35,000 of these treats are sold annually.

    3. Small bars are doing big work

    table spread at Uno Más small bar in toowoomba secrets
    Pop into small bars like Uno Más.

    Toowoomba doesn’t disappoint with fantastic pubs, but discerning drinkers can take happy hour to the next level at one of the city’s impressive small bars. Savour Spanish-style bites paired with a thoughtful line-up of wines at the newly opened Uno Más Tapas & Wine Bar. On Thursdays, head to Cork & Lever to tap your feet to live music over creative cocktails made with their all-Australian gin collection. And enjoy elevated toasties and premium drops at the cosy Press’d Coffee & Wine. Or try newly opened The Book Pour.

    4. There’s no shortage of fabulous stays

    Bunnyconnellen
    Chill out in beautiful surrounds at Bunnyconnellen. (Credit: Salt Media)

    Whether you prefer the buzz of the city centre or retreating to the hinterland, there are stylish stays aplenty to settle into in this idyllic corner of the world. Apartment-style living can be found at Quest Toowoomba; partly housed in a heritage church building in the city, it’s a comfortable and convenient base. And at The Arbour Boutique Apartments, spacious rooms are injected with old-world charm.

    In the hinterland, enjoy bucolic bliss at the boutique Bunnyconnellen, where an 1880s farmhouse and self-contained cottage are backdropped by rolling hills. And at the secluded Ravensbourne Escape, one-bedroom studios, two-bedroom chalets and three-bedroom holiday homes overlook Ravensbourne National Park and the Brisbane and Lockyer Valleys.

    5. It’s a nature-lovers paradise

    extinct volcanic peak Table Top Mountain
    Tackle Table Top Mountain. (Credit: Ariana Potamianakis)

    Toowoomba is hugged by national parks, making it a haven for nature lovers. On its doorstep you’ll find the extinct volcanic peak Table Top Mountain, where keen hikers can tackle the challenging two-kilometre return trail which rewards them with 360° views of the Lockyer Valley and surrounds.

    For a more gentle experience, Ravensbourne National Park offers peaceful walking trails within lush rainforest. It’s a top spot for bird watching as there are over 110 bird species that call the area home, including the paradise riflebird. Crows Nest National Park is home to platypus and koalas, and its refreshing natural swimming spots, like Kauyoo Pool, are a great place to beat the heat.

    6. Wellness enthusiasts are well looked after

    Toowoomba’s cool and calm energy lends itself to a wellness-focused getaway. Slated to open in August 2026, soak in the serenity at Vikasati Toowoomba, a bathhouse oasis with outdoor hot and cold magnesium pools, ice baths and Finnish saunas. Rest and recharge at City Cave Toowoomba, which offers float therapy, infrared sauna and massage services, or visit Kalm Springs for LED therapy, cryotherapy and float therapy.

    7. It’s preserved its 19th-century charm

    inside Queensland Museum Cobb + Co
    Learn all about the history of Cobb+Co.

    History buffs can step back in time at Toowoomba’s fascinating cultural and historical museums.

    Explore 50,000 years of Darling Downs and Toowoomba history at the Queensland Museum Cobb+Co; it’s known for its impressive National Carriage Collection of 47 restored horse-drawn vehicles, which were put to use for Queensland’s urban expansion. Visitors can also try their hand at blacksmithing or leadlighting in heritage workshops, refuelling with traditional scones at the onsite cafe.

    Train enthusiasts can celebrate the golden era of rail travel on a heritage steam locomotive thanks to the volunteer-driven, community-led organisation DownsSteam Toowoomba. Vintage train rides range from a two-hour journey between Toowoomba Station and DownsSteam Railway Museum to an overnight adventure from Toowoomba to the Southern Downs and Granite Belt

    8. There are vintage gems waiting to be found

    Whether it’s to pick up a unique piece for your home or a one-of-a-kind accessory for a loved one, you’re guaranteed to find something special in one of Toowoomba’s antique and vintage stores. Range Antiques sells everything from furniture, rugs and lamps to fine porcelain, jewellery and art, while Toowoomba Antiques & Collectables is a treasure trove of Art Deco, farmhouse, retro and mid-century modern pieces.

    Start planning your weekender of a lifetime in Queensland Country region at queenslandcountrytourism.com.au.