This year the Labour Day long weekend public holiday falls on Monday 1st May 2023. If you’re looking for things to do in Brisbane with your kids this Labour Day long weekend, we’ve got you covered!
The celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the eight-hour day movement, which advocated eight hours for work, eight hours for recreation, and eight hours for rest. With that in mind, we’re here to help you make the most of your daily eight hours of recreation this Labour Day long weekend in Brisbane.
If you are looking for ideas for a weekend getaway from Brisbane, we know that too!
1. Science Centre | Queensland Museum 2023
2. Candyland Putt Putt | Herston 2023
Head along to Victoria Park for a brightly coloured adventure through a world covered in delectable delights. They will be bringing back some classic feature holes including Fairy Floss Fairway alongside all new holes, Ice-cream Court, Candy Shoppe, Sugar Shack on Sugar Slopes & Bunny Hop. Find out more here.
3. Pasifika Vibes Festival | Lawnton 2023
The region’s largest Polynesian festival takes place to celebrate Māori and Pacific Island culture through dance, music, food and entertainment at the Pine Rivers Showground. The event runs from 8.30am to 3pm. Entry is a gold coin donation. Come along and enjoy the live entertainment and browse the stalls. Find out more here
4. Superpowered | GOMA 2023
This exhibition at GOMA brings together four interactive projects by Indigenous Australian artists – Kaylene Whiskey (Yankunytjatjara people), Tony Albert (Girramay/Yidinyji/Kuku Yalanji peoples), Gordon Hookey (Waanyi people) and Vincent Namatjira (Western Aranda people) – who use their voices and their art to empower Aboriginal people and create inspirational imagery for all children. Together, the artists have created an immersive world full of cheeky humour and courageous characters for young visitors to explore. Find out more here
5. Dinosaurs of Patagonia | South Brisbane 2023
See the world’s largest dinosaur! Discover the roarsome Dinosaurs of Patagonia at Queensland Museum from 17 March – 2 October 2023 featuring sixteen life-sized skeletons from South America’s Age of Dinosaurs.
Come face-to-face with the world’s largest dinosaur – the colossal Patagotitan, the largest known land animal which reached 37 metres long and weighed in at 70 tonnes; the carnivorous 6 tonne Tyrannotitan, one of the most ferocious predators of the Cretaceous period and Manidens condorensis, by contrast, one of the smallest herbivore dinosaurs known to date (75 centimetres tall).
Read our FULL review of Dinosaurs of Patagonia HERE.
6. Australia Zoo | Beerwah 2023
Labour Day is the perfect time to visit Australia Zoo! There is so much to see and do. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers and towels so your little ones can enjoy the water park too!
Read our post about how to get cheap Australia Zoo tickets here.
7. Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary | Fig Tree Pocket 2023
Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, located in beautiful Fig Tree Pocket, Brisbane is the ideal place for a thoughtful, enjoyable and educational family outing. Lone Pine Zoo Koala has been a Brisbane institution since 1927 and is open 7 days a week from 9am to 5pm. You can read our Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary review here.
8. Museum of Brisbane & Clock Tower | Brisbane City 2023
There’s a world of culture and creativity to keep little ones busy at MoB these holidays! Play Eye Spy, climb the Clock Tower, hone your drawing skills, and craft your very own superhero badges. Not to mention, a brand new FREE exhibition to explore. Can you come out to play?
The Museum of Brisbane is open 10am – 5pm daily and the clock tower tour operates from 10.15am – 4.45pm every 15 minutes. Find out more here.
10. Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre | The Gap 2023
The Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is a great place to take little kids who are keen to experience our Australian wildlife without the big zoo prices! Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre is located at 60 Mount Nebo Road, The Gap, only 12km from Brisbane’s city centre.
At the Walkabout Creek Discovery Centre you can explore the best that Brisbane’s backyard has to offer. Your first stop should be the Information Centre to find out about the varied experiences on offer in D’Aguilar National Park. They have informative displays and friendly Park Rangers who will help you discover the unique experiences and wonders of Queensland’s national parks.
While you’re there, take advantage of the spectacular panoramic viewing experience on a virtual lookout platform that showcases nearby national parks.
Past Labour Day events
Monster Trucks, Sprintcars, Fireworks | Archerfield Speedway
Monster Trucks, Sprint Cars, Fireworks, Super Sedans, AMCA Nationals, Compact Speedcars and Stock Cars! That’s just a taste of the excitement waiting for your family at Archerfield Speedway this Labour Day long weekend! Early racing will kick off from 3pm with the main program commencing from 6pm.
Perception Deception | Ipswich Art Gallery
Does your brain play tricks on you? Is my reality the same as yours?
Questacon’s family-friendly Perception Deception exhibition explores how our sense of ‘reality’ is formed by our brains using sensory information—but our senses can sometimes deceive us!
Perception Deception consists of hands-on and multimedia experiences, each using perceptual tests and illusions to reveal how our brains edit, prioritise and even add information about the things and people around us. The exhibits cover themes of visual, audio, audio-language, tactile and social perception.
Scenic Rim Adventure Festival | Scenic Rim
The Scenic Rim Adventure Festival at Mt Barney Lodge is a long weekend adventure festival of expeditions, walks, talks and wild adventures.
The Sound Society | Roma Street Parkland
Relax and listen to smooth, live jazz tunes for FREE at The Sound Society. Roma Street Parkland is Brisbane’s biggest sub-tropical backyard! The venue is licensed from 10am – 8pm, however to consume alcohol you must be 18 years and over and have food to accompany your drinks. You can pre-order a delicious hamper from The Garden Room or feel free to pack your own picnic.
Challenge yourself on a guided expedition, be inspired by internationally renowned guest speakers, learn new skills in our workshops, or kick back and watch a film or two, with experiences for all ages, from beginner to advanced.
Alice – A Journey Through Wonderland | Brisbane Arts Theatre – TBC for 2023
What better way to spend the long-weekend than at the Theatre. Led by a befuddled and busy white rabbit, Alice Liddel stumbles upon a world like none she’s seen before. Wonderland is in endangered by the erratic whims of a queen with the power to destroy everything and Alice must join with new friends, solve an ancient prophecy, save Wonderland and… find her way home. Find out more here.
Minibeasts | Pine Rivers
Learn about the hidden world of creepy crawlies in Minibeasts, a hands-on exhibition at Pine Rivers Heritage Museum.
Minibeasts highlights the spectacular realm of insects, and celebrates all things that creep, crawl, wriggle, squirm, buzz and flutter! Minibeasts are creatures without either a backbone or an internal skeleton (invertebrate), and include beetles, butterflies, spiders, worms, praying mantis, centipedes and bees.
The Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival – TBC for 2023
There’s something for everyone at The Caxton Hotel Seafood Festival. They’ve taken the best bits from the beloved street festival and jammed it into the entire venue. Reserve a table and treat yourself to a Deluxe Seafood Platter! FREE entry. Live music across two stages plus food trucks and Darren Middleton from Powderfinger.
Other great ideas for the Labour Day long weekend 2023
- Have a picnic at one of these 20 BEST Picnic Spots in Brisbane.
- Head down to the Gold Coast | See our list of 60 AWESOME things to do with kids on the Gold Coast here.
