historical tours brisbane

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Brisbane History Tours

Unit 805, 50 McLachlan St, Fortitude Valley Queensland 4006

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www.eventbrite.com.au

[email protected]

0437 280 104

SOURCE www.atdw.com.au

Brisbane History Tours offers an immersive guided experience through some of Brisbane's iconic history precincts.

Led by a professional historian, visitors can enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour of old hotels, the Princess Theatre in Woolloongabba or a guided walk through the streets and laneways of Fortitude Valley, one of Brisbane's earliest colonial settlements.

The focus is on celebrating Brisbane's unique built heritage and the people and events that have helped shape and transform them.

Princess Theatre Tour

A behind-the-scenes tour of the Princess Theatre, Brisbane's oldest standing theatre and newest performing arts venue, located in historic Woolloongabba. The tour is led by the theatre's historian, Robert Allen.

Brown Snake Tours

Brown Snake Tours offers immersive experiences for those wanting to explore some of Brisbane's historic buildings and precincts. Led by a professional historian, these small group tours focus on the people and events that created these special places.

A Wander Down Wickham Street

Grab some friends and come for a leisurely wander down one of Fortitude Valley's oldest and most important thoroughfares with historian Robert Allen. Beginning at Centenary Place Park and finishing at Holy Trinity Anglican Church, the tour will focus on the Valley's social and retail history, comparing the past with what survives today. Points of interest along the way will include historic hotels, former department stores, the Valley Pool and the Fortitude Valley Police Station. Please note: The walking tour down Wickham Street takes approximately 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Please wear a hat and sturdy shoes and bring a water bottle. The meeting point for the start of the tour will be the steps and iron archway at the southern entrance to Centenary Place Park at 85 Wickham Street. It is recommended you access the park via the pedestrian crossing at the Wickham Street / Boundary Street intersection. The tour will conclude at the historic Holy Trinity Anglican Church, which has both on site parking and street parking on Wickham and Brookes Streets.

Experiences you can enjoy:

• History & Heritage

Learn More About Brisbane’s Remarkable History On These Immersive Walking Tours

Take a stroll back in time with a walking tour hosted by Museum of Brisbane.

Keen to discover the history of Brisbane? Museum of Brisbane’s walking tours are a great way to learn interesting true stories about the River City while exploring an array of historical sites.

Returning this March are their popular tours History on the Hill, Walking in Wartime and Brisbane City: Past and Present. These tours unravel the rich tapestry of Brisbane’s history with every step.

Brisbane City: Past and Present delves into stories of Traditional Custodians, convicts, public art and one of Brisbane’s towering cathedrals. You can also learn the hidden stories of Spring Hill at the History on the Hill tour, and about the Battle of Brisbane at the Walking in Wartime tour.

New to the programme this year is a limited-time first run of immersive theatrical experience Walking with Vida, which will see tour guide Natalie Cowling take on the persona of celebrated artist Vida Lahey as she leads you to some Brisbane CBD spots that influenced the iconic Australian artist.

The walking tours range in price, from $20 to $55, and take place on select days.

For more information on Museum of Brisbane’s walking tours, head to their website.

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Discover Brisbane’s Heritage

Brisbane in focus, celebrate our history, become a member, your guide to brisbane’s museums & heritage sites.

Brisbane Living Heritage (BLH) is the heart of Brisbane’s cultural heritage, representing more than 90 organisations: museums, galleries, heritage sites, historic houses & gardens, and historical societies.

The story of Brisbane is a journey of discovery and each BLH member adds their own special chapter.

Search our site to find an inspiring place to visit or a special event that highlights Greater Brisbane’s rich heritage.

Download a copy of The Heritage Guide , the definitive guide to Brisbane’s cultural heritage.

Places To Visit

Unravel Brisbane’s unique history for yourself and choose your own heritage adventure – there’s something to suit all ages and interests.

What’s On

Visit the What’s On calendar to find cultural and heritage events happening at Brisbane’s museums, galleries and historical sites.

BLH Photo Competition 1 Dec 2023 – 21 Jan 2024 See all the entries in our competition photo gallery!

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Home » Things to Do » Brisbane Sightseeing Tours

Brisbane Activities

Find great deals on tours and activities right here!

Show Me Deals

You can see most of Brisbane in a week or so and the best way to get around the city is on foot. The CBD itself isn't huge and if you're even modestly fit you'd have no trouble seeing pretty much everything there is to see — namely the River, City Botanic Gardens, Queen Street Mall, South Bank and Roma Street Parklands. For more places to explore in Brisbane, check out our comprehensive Brisbane destinations section.

A hop on, hop off  shuttle bus does a loop of the CBD every 15 minutes or so, so there's always vehicular backup if your legs get too tired. Volunteer guides offer free walking tours of the two Botanic Gardens every day except Sundays. The Brisbane CityCats and ferries are another great way to see the city. In the early days the river was the main form of transport, so most of the important historical sites can be reached from the water.

If you want to see a bit more of the city and suburbs, or venture down to the Gold Coast , Sunshine Coast , or Fraser Island , your best bet is on an organised tour. We've listed some of the most popular Brisbane tours below — you can book them all online.

Book A Brisbane City Tour Today!

Brisbane city sightseeing afternoon tour.

Enroute you will see the famous XXXX Brewery and Suncorp Stadium. Includes transport and admission to Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary and Mt Coot-tha Scenic Lookout.

Brisbane City Sights Morning Tour

Learn about the history of this fast growing cosmopolitan centre set on the Brisbane River.

This is a Half Day Tour from 9.15am-12.15pm.

XXXX Brewery and Alehouse Tour

Best of Brisbane Full Day Brewery Tour

Sirromet Winery Tour and Taste and 2 Course Lunch

Brisbane Segway Tour

If you're looking for a perfect way to spend a sunny afternoon in Brisbane, don't miss out on the opportunity cruise around the city on one of the coolest two-wheel machines. Choose between:

• 45 Minute Segway Tour
• 1.5 Hour Segway Tour
• 2 Hour Segway Tour
• 2 Hour Night Segway Tour

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Discover the secrets of  Brisbane’s heritage-listed City Hall building with a guided tour.

With its impressive neo-classical façade, mosaic tiles, stained-glass windows and soaring ceilings, Brisbane’s heritage-listed City Hall is at the heart of our city. Discover the secrets of this magnificent building which has been the setting for many cultural, social and civic events in our city’s history.

Known as the ‘People’s Place’, City Hall was built between 1920 and 1930 at a cost of almost one million pounds. At the time it was the second largest construction project in Australia, second only to the Sydney Harbour Bridge. A highlight is the stunning auditorium, inspired by Rome’s Pantheon, which has hosted rock stars and royalty and is home to the Father Henry Willis & Sons Pipe Organ, made up of nearly 4,400 pipes. This instrument is one of only two of its kind in the world, and the auditorium continues to be integral to events that reflect our creative and connected city.

City Hall is a working civic building and some areas may be unavailable at certain times.

Tour begins in the King George Square foyer on the ground floor of City Hall.

Duration of tour: 45mins Capacity: 20 people Difficulty: This tour is suitable for  all fitness levels and abilities. Please note this tour will include staircases.

Date & Time

How much does it cost to go on a Brisbane City Hall Tour?

Brisbane City Hall Tours are free. Book via the button below or call (07) 3339 0800 to secure your booking.

As soon as you register for your preferred tour, you will be emailed a ticket. Please print the ticket or bring your email confirmation and show your tour guide when you arrive at City Hall for your tour. If your email confirmation does not appear please check your junk mail folder.

The tour I want to take is not listed in the drop down box.

When a tour is sold out, it will not appear in the drop-down list. Please go back to the calendar and select a different tour time or date.

Is the City Hall Tour wheelchair accessible?

Yes, the City Hall Tour is wheelchair accessible. Where required, lifts are used to travel between the basement, ground floor, level 1, level 2 and level 3 of Brisbane City Hall. Depending on the number of persons in the tour, either one or two lifts are utilised to accommodate all patrons. Should you require use of mobility aides, please contact the EPICURE Mobility Centre on (07) 3014 4702.

Where do we meet on the day of our tour?

Meet in the King George Square foyer. Look for the Museum of Brisbane City Hall Tour sign and wait for your tour guide.

Can I eat on the tour?

We do not recommend eating on a Brisbane City Hall Tour, and food is prohibited inside Museum of Brisbane. Plastic or metal sealable water bottles are allowed.

How many people are on each tour?

There are up to twenty places available on each tour.

How do I book a group for a Brisbane City Hall Tour?

Who leads the tours.

A professional Museum of Brisbane Visitor Experience Officer takes Brisbane City Hall Tours. Our staff have in-depth knowledge of City Hall and offer wonderful insights about the building, its restoration and Brisbane history.

Can I take photos on the tour?

Yes, photos are permitted, however we request you turn your flash off and seek permission from your tour guide and fellow tour participants before photographing them.

Does the tour go up into the Clock Tower?

No, Brisbane City Hall Tours are separate to Clock Tower Tours, which are also free and may be booked online. If you would like to book a Clock Tower Tour please allow a 15-minute buffer in case your City Hall Tour runs over time.

Clock Tower Tours occur every 15 minutes. However numbers are limited so we recommend booking early. Bookings are available up to two weeks in advance. Learn more about the Clock Tower Tour.

I had a great time, can I leave a review?

We would love for you to share your reviews. Please feel free to share your experience via Google Reviews, Facebook , TripAdvisor , Yelp or email us at [email protected] .

My question hasn't been answered. Who can I speak to about Brisbane City Hall Tours?

Please call Museum of Brisbane’s Visitor Experience Team on (07) 3339 0800 or email [email protected] .

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