Take a cosmic adventure with an enormous star projector, real artefacts from space missions and an observatory housed in Brisbane’s first planetarium.
Go on a virtual space journey and explore the cosmos at the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium. Bring the kids to learn about the constellations or engage with the history of space and astronomy.
The planetarium was established in 1978 and named after Sir Thomas Brisbane, who did the first comprehensive mapping of the Southern Sky.
Start your visit with the pride and joy of the Planetarium, its first-rate Cosmic Skydome. This innovative dome screen recreates a spectacular view of the night sky. Sit back and enjoy a variety of shows, which explore the different constellations of ancient cultures, black holes and the mysteries of space.
Head to the Display zone where you’ll find spacecraft models and artifacts from real space missions. Look for the replica of Neil Armstrong’s space suit and breathtaking images from the Hubble telescope.
Entertain the kids at the Mini Theatre, which shows informative films on the history of space missions and scientific mysteries. On your way out, browse the Galaxy gift shop for science and astronomy themed merchandise, including spaceship models and books.
On clear Saturday nights, head to the Planetarium’s observatory for the chance to explore the real night sky. Situated at the base of Mount Coot-tha, in the Brisbane Botanic Gardens complex, the light pollution is at a lower level here than in the inner city. A powerful telescope allows you to see stars and constellations up close. Note that the telescope eyepiece only caters for those above 5 foot (150 centimetres).
The Planetarium is open every day except Monday and public holidays. It stays open until the early evenings on Saturdays. The Planetarium is free to enter, but there is a fee for shows, with discounts for children. The easiest way to get there is by bus from central Brisbane. If you are driving, parking on-site is free. Make a day of it by exploring the Botanic Gardens and then hike or drive to the Mount Coot-tha lookout for city views at sunset.
