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The Brisbane Planetarium is Super Fun for Kids

The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is a great place to take kids. From toddling terrestrials to young adult astronauts, blast off a great outing for the whole family.

Where is the Brisbane Planetarium?

Plot your rocket’s course towards Mt Coot-tha. The Planetarium is across the road from the Toowong Cemetery and adjacent to the beautiful Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha. The planetarium is right at the entrance (you won’t miss the beautiful skydome!) and there is ample parking in front. If public transport is your preferred method of galaxy travel, try to 471 bus from the city or the Great City Circle from the suburbs.

What can I do at the Brisbane Planetarium?

Brisbane Planetariumm Mt Coot-tha

As you enter the Brisbane Planetarium site you’ll see a statue looking upwards towards the heavens. There is plenty of space here or in the surrounds for a picnic to fuel those little bodies before going in for some learning.

Walking in you’ll see well equipped family toilets, a gift shop and a counter where you can buy tickets for the projected shows in the Cosmic Skydome.

Entry to the Planetarium itself is always free but there are costs for the shows.

Due to restrictions at this time, the Planetarium will be open Tuesday to Sunday with the following modified opening hours:

  • Tuesday to Friday 10am-4pm (phone lines open 9am-3pm)
  • Saturday 9am-4pm (Phone lines open 9am-4pm)
  • Sunday 9am-3pm (Phone lines open 9am-3pm)

Special reopening prices have been introduced:

What shows are on in the Cosmic Skydome?

Current shows suitable for young children: (Please check show times and descriptions here)

  • Perfect Little Planet
  • Tycho to the Moon
  • The Little Star that Could
  • Secret of the Cardboard Rocket

Most shows will finish with a “Highlights of Brisbane Night Sky”, an informative presentation from the astronomer where you will learn about planets, stars and constellations.

You will also find the Mini Theatre. Entry to this is free and you will find short features on various topics to do with space exploration and missions.

Circling around the Planetarium is the Display Zone. Here your budding astronauts will race from telescope to solar system as they learn all about asteroids, space travel, star formations, the Big Bang and so much more! There are interactive displays so your kids can get hands-on experience with the history of technology and astronomy.

Brisbane Planetarium

What else is there at the Brisbane Planetarium?

As mentioned earlier, the toilets are equipped to suit the needs of families. The venue is wheelchair and pram accessible but if you’re going into the Cosmic Skydome you may be asked to fold your pram or leave it with attendants.

You will find the Galaxy Gift Shop has plenty of souvenirs of your time at the Planetarium and the Sundial Courtyard provides a place for quiet reflection and galactical conversation. If you would like to come in the evening to join the astronomers to look closely at the galaxy you can book ahead and come on a Saturday night. These observations are subject to weather conditions and, unfortunately, not wheelchair accessible as access is via a steep staircase. Children must be at least 150cm tall to see through the telescope.

Brisbane has a real gift in the Planetarium – it’s something that has been around since the 1970’s that many of us may not have been to before. If your kids love all things ‘Outer Space’, make sure your children visit this one-of-a-kind venue for an experience that really is out of this world!

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Janine Mergler

Janine Mergler is a veteran Queensland teacher, graduating from QUT with a BEd majoring in Social Sciences. After many years in the classroom, Janine moved on to academia. She has proudly trained new generations of teachers in her role as a lecturer at Queensland University of Technology Faculty of Education. She has also worked in the Queensland Government as an education specialist, developing education resources and delivering community awareness programs to help families conserve water. Currently she is the owner and editor of Families Magazine, a publication specifically targeted at parents who value a quality education for children.  Janine leads a team of professionals who write about family lifestyle, early childhood, schools and education information and family-friendly events.

6 thoughts on “The Brisbane Planetarium is Super Fun for Kids”

  1. Are you able to let me know what is on for children 6-8 years in the first week of the July school holidays please.

    Reply
    • Hi Marie

      You can find out what’s coming up on their website, but keep checking back because it’s only showing events up until June 30 at the moment. With the 50th anniversary of the moon landing being this July I should imagine they’ll be planning some pretty exciting things!

      Reply
  2. Hey is there any chance the samkara show will come back? If not could it be organised with a group booking?

    Thank you

    Reply

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