Best Museums in Brisbane (2026)
Planning your next outing? These are 35 of the best museums in Brisbane right now, whether you're after a lazy weekend, a day with the kids or somewhere new to explore. We rank each one by our Spot Score and keep the list fresh, so you're always seeing what's actually worth your time.
Rain or shine, Brisbane's museums are a rewarding few hours — from natural history and science to local heritage. Many offer free general entry, with ticketed special exhibitions.
35 spots
State Library of Queensland
5-level library with floor-to-ceiling windows for river views, plus a writing centre, cafe & Wi-Fi.
Queensland Museum Kurilpa
Queensland Museum Kurilpa in South Bank is a major museum showcasing science, culture and natural history exhibits with a focus on Queensland.
Museum of Brisbane
Tucked away in City Hall, this museum offers historical city exhibits, artwork & a clock tower tour.
Brisbane Opal Museum
Private museum exploring the history of Australia's opal mining industry, with tours & a gift shop.
Brisbane Motor Museum
Museums in Chermside, Brisbane.
Queensland Maritime Museum
Waterside complex with several climb-aboard historic vessels plus photographs, artefacts & models.
SparkLab
Museums in South Bank, Brisbane.
Newstead House
The oldest surviving home in the area, this 1846 house offers a museum with historical collections.
Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology
Opened in 1986, this history museum features a variety of art & artifacts from around the world.
Bribie Island Seaside Museum
Contemporary museum overlooking the bay exploring island history with a kids' zone & gift shop.
Old Government House and William Robinson Gallery
$$1860s governor's mansion, now a museum with a collection of art by William Robinson & a chic cafe.
Queensland Holocaust Museum
Museums in South Bank, Brisbane.
Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
Planetarium in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens with educational shows, exhibits & an observatory.
Queensland Communications Museum
Museums in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane.
Brisbane Tramway Museum
Museums in Hamilton, Brisbane.
QUT Art Museum
Intimate university gallery displaying modern & contemporary works by Australian artists.
MacArthur Museum Brisbane
Museums in West End, Brisbane.
The Commissariat Store Museum
Built by convicts in 1829, the restored 3-floor museum explores the area's penal & colonial history.
Museums by suburb
Zoom in on the best museums in Brisbane's most popular neighbourhoods.
Museums guides for Brisbane
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Read guide →Museums in Brisbane — FAQs
What are the best museums in Brisbane?+
Our top-rated museums in Brisbane are ranked by our Spot Score, which combines Google ratings, review volume, category fit and how recently we verified the details. The highest scorers appear at the top of this page.
How is the Brisbane museums ranking decided?+
We blend independent signals — Google star ratings and review counts, popularity, the quality of available information and freshness — into a single Spot Score out of 100. It's an editorial score, not a paid placement.
Can I filter museums by suburb or price?+
Yes. Use the filters to narrow by suburb, minimum rating, price level, whether a place is open now, and features like dog-friendly or outdoor seating.
How many museums are listed in Brisbane?+
We currently feature 35 museums across Brisbane and surrounding suburbs, and we add and re-check venues regularly.