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Queensland Performing Arts Centre
(photo taken from Victoria Bridge)

Fountains outside the Queensland Art Gallery

Queensland Museum and pedestrian bridge (right) over the Cultural Centre Busway Station

The Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank, in Brisbane, consists of the Queensland Museum, State Library of Queensland, Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Queensland Art Gallery and the Queensland Gallery of Modern Art.

The Cremorne Theatre, which was established in 1911, was located on the present site of the Queensland Performing Arts Centre until it was destroyed by fire in 1954. The Cremorne Theatre was a popular venue and many of Australia's legendary performing artists appeared there. (The present Cremorne Theatre, at the Queensland Performing Arts, was named in honour of the historic Cremorne Theatre.)

During 1972, a decision to build a new Queensland Art Gallery on its present location at South Bank was made. Later, during 1974, the State Government of Queensland decided to extend this idea to a Queensland Cultural Centre which included the Queensland Performing Arts Centre, the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Museum, as well as the Queensland Art Gallery, so that all of these institutions would be in proximity to each other, as well as being within easy reach of the Brisbane Central Business District.

The Queensland Art Gallery (formerly Queensland National Art Gallery), was established in 1895. The Queensland Art Gallery has had many homes, and moved to its present location at the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank during 1982. The Queensland Gallery of Modern Art, which now complements the Queensland Art Gallery, has been built near the William Jolly Bridge, and opened in December 2006.

The Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), which is also located at South Bank, and is also part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, was opened in 1985. QPAC contains some of Brisbane’s main theatres (Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Cremorne Theatre, and the Playhouse).

The Queensland Museum was established in 1862, and has had many homes, including The Windmill (1862-1869) — Parliament House (1869-1873) — General Post Office (1873-1879) — followed by being based at a building on William Street, which was later home to John Oxley Library (1879-1899) — the Exhibition Hall, now called the Old Museum Building (1899-1986). The Queensland Museum moved the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank during 1986.

The State Library of Queensland (originally called the Public Library of Queensland), was established in 1896. The library (later renamed the State Library of Queensland in 1902), had many homes, including occupying the building in William Street 1899-1988 — following which the State Library moved to its present location near the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Art Gallery, as part of the Queensland Cultural Centre. The State Library was extensively renovated at its South Bank address during 2006, and reopened in December 2006.

Cultural Centre Busway Station (the pedestrian bridge is located over the busway station - from the Queensland Museum (at left) to the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (at right)

The buildings of the Queensland Cultural Centre are connected by a pedestrian bridge over the Cultural Centre Busway Station. The pedestrian bridge connects the Queensland Performing Arts Centre with the building containing both the Queensland Museum and the Queensland Art Gallery

Panorama of the Queensland Cultural Centre - with the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (at left) and the Queensland Art Gallery (at right), and the Cultural Centre Busway Station (located in the centre between the two buildings)

• Queensland Cultural Centre information
• History of the Queensland Cultural Centre
• New Plan for Queensland Cultural Centre

• Cultural Centre Busway Station map - includes the Queensland Cultural Centre venues and surrounding area - pdf file