Queensland Holocaust Museum

The Queensland Holocaust Museum and Education Centre in South Bank, Brisbane, offers a thoughtful introduction to the Holocaust and other genocides through personal stories, historical artefacts and interactive technology. Its focus extends beyond historical events, examining the continuing dangers of antisemitism, racism, hatred and indifference. The museum’s stated mission is to encourage Queenslanders and visitors to support acceptance, multiculturalism and harmony, making it a place for reflection as well as learning.

Among the museum’s notable objects are a plush rug and a small folding chair, each connected to a remarkable survival story. Peter Baruch was concealed and kept warm as a baby in the rug, while Clara Kraus took the folding chair with her and her son Peter on a train bound for Auschwitz. Both families and the chair survived. These objects give the history a personal scale, linking major events to the choices, fears and resilience of individual people.

The experience combines survivor voices, artefacts and innovative, immersive technology. The museum also shares the story of Eva Klug, who survived Theresienstadt concentration camp, later married fellow survivor Dr Bert Klug and settled in Brisbane. Its exhibitions and displays are suited to visitors who want to engage with difficult history through real stories rather than a purely textbook account. The tone is serious and moving, with the museum’s visitor feedback reflecting the emotional impact of the experience.

Schools are a particular focus. Tailored tours are available for upper-primary and lower-secondary students, as well as neurodiverse students, with sessions built around examining three museum artefacts, discussing the journeys of Jewish Holocaust victims and taking part in a guided tour. A curriculum-aligned travelling education kit offers interactive workshops using real-life stories, replica artefacts and critical-thinking activities. The museum is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 9am to 4pm, and Sundays from 10am to 4pm, with last entry at 3.15pm. For people unable to visit in person, the free online museum uses gaming technology to explore life before, during and after the Holocaust; it is designed for use on a computer.