The best markets and museums in Brisbane City

Start your day of discovery in The City with a stroll through one (or all) of the fresh food and design markets that pop up in Brisbane CBD, and finish your day by losing yourself in Brisbane’s history at one of the many museums.

Markets

The City is alive with farmers markets, artisan crafts and vintage finds - you just have to know where (and when) to look. If you're after fresh fruit and veg or a bite to eat, start with The Brisbane City Markets or head to the Riverside Gardens Market or Twilight Markets for quirky jewellery or a thoughtful gift. You can even make someone else's trash your latest treasure at the Suitcase Rummage if #sustainablefashion is your jam.

Discover the best of Brisbane City’s markets offerings below – you might need to bring a wheelie bag (or two) to carry it all home.

Brisbane City Markets | every Wednesday + Thursday

The country comes to The City when one of Brisbane’s best farmers’ markets pops up in Reddacliff Place from 8am-6pm on Wednesdays, and on Thursdays in Cathedral Square from 8am-2.30pm. . Take the kids along to meet farmers and producers, buy fresh produce and pasta, taste cheese and jams, and find meat, seafood and hot smoked salmon to take home.

Riverside Gardens Markets | every Sunday

The Riverside Gardens Markets are held in the City Botanic Gardens every Sunday where dozens of stallholders sell everything from fresh produce to arts and crafts or jewellery. There’s live music and entertainment for kids and kidults alike – all with the beautiful Botanic Gardens as the backdrop. Discounted parking is available for those wanting to travel in for the markets.

Suitcase Rummage | first and third Sunday of every month

A bargain hunter’s haven, a $10 note will hopefully buy you a great piece (or five) with change to spare. Brisbane’s Suitcase Rummage is held on the first and third Sunday of every month in Reddacliff Place, selling anything and everything from clothes to bric-a-brac to handmade goods.

Pack your suitcase with goodies to sell and once it’s empty, refill it with a special find on the day. If you’re keen to just see what’s on offer, stop by and see what sellers have brought along. 

Museums

Whether you're a buff, a beginner or just like the occasional wander through a charming old building, The City's museum scene hits that historical note you've been humming. Start with a wander through the jewel in City Hall's crown, the Museum of Brisbane and then level up to some of the more intensive history lessons on offer at Parliament House and the MacArthur Museum.

Museum of Brisbane | Adelaide Street

Do you really know Brisbane? Museum of Brisbane has a huge variety of exhibitions that not only provoke thought and discussion but are genuinely awe-inspiring. While you're there, be sure to take a free tour up the 87.47 metre high City Hall clock tower and then hit the MoB gift shop - it's a must visit for Brisbane-centric treasures.

Customs House | Queen St

While technically not a museum, you are able to stroll through Customs House and bathe lovingly in its old-world charm. Soak in the historic flavour, while a display of Customs Service memorabilia from those bygone years stirs the imagination. Afterwards, enjoy a meal and beverage on the terrace along with five star views of the Brisbane River and Story Bridge.

Old Government House | QUT

Queensland’s first public and heritage listed building, Old Government House is swimming in history and has its doors open for the public to enjoy. Located at the end of George Street, next to the City Botanic Garden, it's only a 10 minute walk from The City centre. Make the time to take a tour around the historic house, and appreciate the restored grandeur of the 1860's architecture. You’ll also have access to the William Robertson Art Gallery and the QUT Art Museum.

Parliament House | Cnr of George and Alice St

It may not be a white house but you can enjoy the beautifully restored interior of Parliament House that showcases Queensland's history. Discover the laws that have been made in Parliament as shaped by the governments and laws that have been made in the Parliament. Check out its website for details on public tours and events at Parliament.

MacArthur Museum | Edward Street

Visit the office of General Douglas MacArthur, Supreme Commander of Allied Forces during World War II, and sit at the desk where strategies were developed to win the war. You can also experience life in Brisbane during the dark days of the war when people feared that the city might be invaded, public air raid shelters lined the streets, and children wore identity discs.

The Commissariat Store Museum | William St

The Commissariat Store is Queensland’s most significant and oldest habitable building. Step inside the museum to discover Queensland’s history with rotating exhibitions through to more permanent rooms that explore the colonial period of our history, keep an eye out for the famous ‘convict finger’... All guests are offered a complimentary guided tour as part of your entry.

Museum of Lands, Mapping and Surveying | Edward St

This sub-branch of the Queensland Museum will have you walking in the footsteps of Queensland’s surveyors and cartographers of the past. This includes the establishment of Queensland’s borders, and the creation of maps, survey plans and registers. It houses one of the most comprehensive collections of its type in the world. The artefact gallery is particularly worth paying a visit to.

Anzac Square and Memorial Galleries | Ann St

Tucked beneath the historic Anzac Square you’ll find the Anzac Square Memorial Galleries, curated by the State Library of Queensland. Here you’ll be able to deep dive into Queensland’s war history, taking you on a journey from World War I to today. It exhibits a World War I Memorial Crypt, a World War II Gallery and a Post World War II Memorial and Exhibition Gallery.

Supreme Court Library | George St

The Supreme Court Library commits to preserving the legal history of Queensland and does so with the Sir Harry Gibbs Legal Heritage Centre. It is a repository for Queensland’s legal artefacts and hosts exhibitions, lectures and publishing works and maintains the oral history record of judges and legal professions. It also provides a program of activities to engage the community and create interest around Queensland’s legal history.

Brisbane Greeters Program

Not technically a museum, but is so full of Brisbane history that it’s too good not to include, is the Brisbane Greeters tours. Book a tour with one of the Brisbane Greeters and you’ll be astounded by all the information they know about all things Brisbane. Plus they’ll show you Brisbane City in a whole new light. You can book a general tour or request a special topic such as street art, architecture or war history.