WHATS ON BRISBANE
Spiders – The Exhibition
Opens 6 December
Explore the fascinating world of spiders, some of the most formidable and often feared creatures in Australia. You’ll discover more about what spiders actually are, the intricate ways they produce silk and just how important their venom and silk continue to be.
Come face to face with 12 live spider species and 200 spider specimens including the infamous Sydney Funnel Web, Trapdoor, Huntsman, Redback, and Tarantula spiders. In this rare opportunity, you’ll see creatures of the crawling kind up close from the comfort of the exhibition floor.
Weave your way through interactive activities for all ages, including a dance off with a Peacock Spider, build a giant spider and create your own web. Plus, learn all about the leading research conducted by Queensland Museum Scientists.
Tickets On Sale Now www.spiders.qm.qld.gov.au
Level 3, Queensland Museum
Cost:
Adult: $15.50
Concession: $13.50
Child (5-15 years) $12.50
Under 5: Free
Yikaki
Opens 30 November
Didjeridu is the iconic sound of Australia, an instrument played by many Aboriginal people and others around the world. It is both a symbol of Aboriginal culture, and the most famous instrument in the expanding traditions of global ‘world music’. Yet for all its fame and familiarity, little is known about it beyond cliches and stereotypes.
Immerse yourself in this remarkable exhibition built around the rhythm and song of yidaki (the instrument also known as ‘didjeridu’).
Go into the cultural and musical heartland of the instrument – Arnhem Land, northern Australia – to learn from the makers and masters of yidaki, the Yolngu.
Explore the story, from the instrument creation and its diversity of forms, through to its role in ceremony, healing, diplomacy and everyday life. The exhibition includes 30 key objects in a stunning stringybark forest setting, brought to life by multiple audiovisual experiences that illuminate the cultural, ecological and musical world of the Yolngu people.
A collaborative exhibition developed by the South Australian Museum with the traditional owners of the yidaki, the Yolngu people of Arnhem Land in northern Australia, this groundbreaking project has become the first major exploration of this musical emblem of Australia.
www.qm.qld.gov.au
Level 2, Queensland Museum
Cost: Free
SparkLab Sciencentre
Permanent
Ignite your imagination in SparkLab, our new Sciencentre experience where you’ll be free to follow your curiosity and bring out your inner scientist as you question, investigate and wonder about the world around you.
Explore 40 interactive exhibits across three zones and discover how science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) affect your everyday world.
www.qm.qld.gov.au
Level 1, Queensland Museum
Cost:
Adult: $15.50
Concession: $13.50
Child (5-15 years): $12.50
Family (2A + 2C): $46
Children under 5: Free
MyMuseum Members: Free
Anzac Legacy Gallery
Permanent
Queensland Museum’s Anzac Legacy Gallery is a new permanent exhibition that explores the First World War and its legacies in Queensland. Using two key themes of Queensland at War and Queensland Remembers, the gallery uses a mixture of significant objects, authentic replicas and the latest 3D technology and animation to bring these evocative stories to life.
At the heart of the gallery is an experiential encounter with one of Australia’s, and the world’s, most significant and dramatic war relics — the A7V Sturmpanzerwagen armoured assault vehicle, Mephisto.
www.qm.qld.gov.au
Level 1, Queensland Museum
Cost: Free
EVENTS:
Meet the Curator: Carnivorous sponges from the abyss
13 November
1pm-2pm
Join Dr Merrick Ekins, Collection Manager of Sessile Marine Invertebrates, for a free talk about carnivorous sponges and glass sponges. Merrick collected the sponges from the Abyss, a cruise off the East Coast of Australia in 2017 aboard the CSRIO’s vessel the RV Investigator, and described them as new species.
Discovery Centre, Level 4, Queensland Museum
Cost: Free
Meet the Curator: Chinchilla Fossil Collection
20 November
1pm-2pm
The Chinchilla fossil fauna has been collected and studied for over 150 years. It holds an amazing and unique collection of extinct fauna that lived approximately 3.6 million years ago. The study of these amazing animals, has allowed palaeontologists to paint a picture of what life would have been like back then, in ‘downtown’ Chinchilla!
Collection Manager for Geosciences Kristen Spring will show the Ces & Doris Wilkinson Collection during this free talk. Ces and Doris were museum associates, whose passion and dedication to collecting fossils on this site paved the way for many new species, and a massive amount of scientific knowledge. Their vast collection of vertebrate and invertebrate fossils were later kindly donated to the Queensland Museum for future study and education.
Discovery Centre, Level 4, Queensland Museum
Cost: Free
The Workshops Rail Museum
North Street, North Ipswich
Phone: 07 3432 5100
www.theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au
EXHIBITIONS:
Bush Mechanics: The Exhibition
Until 2 February 2020
Based on the popular ABC television series co-created by David Batty and Francis Jupurrurla Kelly, and told through the show’s distinctive brand of humour, this exhibition showcases the ingenuity of outback mechanics whose clever resourcefulness can turn branches, spinifex and sand into tools and spare parts to get cars back on the road.
Cost: Included with museum entry. Adult $14.50, Concession $12.50, Child (ages 3 to 15) $11.50 and Family (2 adults + 2 children) $44.50
Visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au for more information.
Meteorites
Until 2 February 2020
The first solids in the Solar System were small particles which collided and merged to form larger objects: asteroids. Some grew to form the Earth and other planets; many more remained small.
Leftover fragments from this time continue to hit the Earth to the present day as meteorites.
Entry is included with Museum admission. Visit as much as you like in one year by purchasing an Annual Pass.
Cost: Included with museum entry. Adult $14.50, Concession $12.50, Child (ages 3 to 15) $11.50 and Family (2 adults + 2 children) $44.50
Visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au for more information.
Sciencentre
Now open
Unleash your inner scientist at the new Sciencentre.
Follow your curiosity, ask questions, test your ideas and use your imagination in this fun and experience-rich environment.
Find out more about the science behind train travel, challenge your friends, solve puzzles and learn how science is a part of the things we do every day. Explore the world of science through play with over 20 interactive stations.
Entry to Sciencentre is free with Museum admission. Visit as much as you like in one year by purchasing an Annual Pass.
Cost: Included with museum entry. Adult $14.50, Concession $12.50, Child (ages 3 to 15) $11.50 and Family (2 adults + 2 children) $44.50
Visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au for more information.
EVENTS:
The End of an Era
30 November
Celebrate the 50th anniversary of the end of the steam era in Queensland and the end of the 1960s in this special evening with live music, dance performances and access to the cars and steam engines that were icons during this time. Event includes access to The Workshops Rail Museum and the Bush Mechanics exhibition. A bar and food will be available.
Cost: $21 (This is an 18+ event)
Visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au for more information.
Little Nippers
Every Thursday at 9.45am (except school holidays)
New! Little Nippers is the Museum’s playgroup for 2–6 year olds, diving deep from 2 May with an underwater theme. Each Thursday from 9.45am learn through story, rhyme, dance, song and creative activities (excludes school holidays).
Visit theworkshops.qm.qld.gov.au for more information.
Cobb+Co Museum
27 Lindsay Street, Toowoomba
Phone: 07 4659 4900
www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au
EXHIBITIONS:
Sciencentre
On now
Unleash your inner scientist at the new Sciencentre. Follow your curiosity, ask questions, test your ideas and use your imagination in this fun and experience-rich environment.
Find out more about the science of energy – what it is and how it’s converted to things like bubbles, waves and electricity. Explore the world of science through play with 15 interactive stations.
Cost: Included with entry to museum. Admission is FREE for residents of the Toowoomba Regional Council region with proof of residency
Adult $12.50, Concession $10, Child (ages 3 to 15) $6.50, Family (1 adult + 3 children) $25, Family (2 adults + 4 children) $32
Visit www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4659 4900
Iridescent
Now open
Nacre (pronounced ‘NAY-ker’ or ‘NAK-ra’), also referred to as ‘mother-of-pearl’, is the iridescent lining found on the inner shell of many molluscs including pearl oysters, several marine snails and some cephalopods such as the nautilus species. As a commodity, nacre has been collected, used, traded and sold across land and sea for millennia.
This exhibition showcases specimens and objects held in the museum’s collections that illustrate the diverse and imaginative ways that humans have shaped and used this iridescent substance.
Other visitors: Adult $12.50, Concession $10, Child (ages 3 to 15) $6.50, Family (1 adult + 3 children) $25, Family (2 adults + 4 children) $32
Visit www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4659 4900
A Portrait of Australia: Stories through the lens of Australian Geographic
Now Open
Showcasing stunning photographs from Australian Geographic’s acclaimed 30-year anniversary book A Portrait of Australia, this exhibition will be showing at Cobb+Co Museum as its first ever venue. Celebrating the bush, the outback, the coast and the people who live there, it will transport you to the most rugged and remote parts of the country where you can discover the remarkable stories of ordinary Australians.
Other visitors: Adult $12.50, Concession $10, Child (ages 3 to 15) $6.50, Family (1 adult + 3 children) $25, Family (2 adults + 4 children) $32
Visit www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4659 4900
EVENTS:
Handmade Under the Stars
28 November
3.30pm – 8pm
More than 60 local artisans will come together at Cobb+Co Museum for one night only to offer unique hand made products at the annual Hand Made Under the Stars twilight artisan market.
Set amongst the Museum collection, visitors will have the opportunity to browse the best locally hand made products, with a glass of wine in hand, and chat directly with the people who make these quality wares.
Cost: Free
Visit www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4659 4900
Curator Conversation
Wednesday, 6 November
2.30pm
For this month’s Curator Conversation, Greg Hallam, Queensland Rail Historian, will present: ‘A Handsome engine and a Handy driver: The Sydney Mail train 1889-1930’.
Free event, no need to book.
Cost: Free
Other visitors: Adult $12.50, Concession $10, Child (ages 3 to 15) $6.50, Family (1 adult + 3 children) $25, Family (2 adults + 4 children) $32
Visit www.cobbandco.qm.qld.gov.au or phone 07 4659 4900
Hands on Workshops
Ongoing
Discover your inner artisan at one of our renowned Hands on Workshops.
Experience the satisfaction of learning a traditional skill and creating something beautiful and functional by hand. Classes are small to ensure you receive all the assistance you need to complete the project from our expert artisans. Plus you will enjoy delicious refreshments prepared in Cobb’s Coffee Shop.
Choose your workshop and book online now or contact Cobb+Co Museum on 07 4659 4900.
Museum of Tropical Queensland
70-102 Flinders Street East, Townsville
Phone: 07 4726 0600
www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au
EXHIBITIONS:
Rescue
Opens 30 November
Rescue the exhibition puts you in charge as you discover what it’s like to be involved in land, sea and air rescues. Experience the challenges, technology and training used by specialist rescue teams through a range of exciting hands‑on exhibits. Take the controls of a full-size helicopter simulator, navigate jet skis around obstacles, find your way through a smoke-filled room and much more!
Visit www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au
Cost: Included in Museum entry
Natural Curiosity: Discovering the secrets of Queensland’s Greatest Collection
Last Days – Closes 10 November
Natural Curiosity: Discovering the secrets of Queensland’s greatest collections provides visitors with an insight into Queensland Museum’s biodiversity collections and why they play such an important role in preserving the natural world for future generations.
The exhibition will take visitors on a journey through the many research areas of the museum including our areas of expertise of marine, corals and palaeontology and showcases items from their iconic collections including animal skulls, preserved skeletons, study skins and fossilized bones, dinosaur tracks and teeth.
Visit www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au
Cost: Included in Museum entry
Sciencentre
Now open
Unleash your inner scientist the Museum of Tropical Queensland’s new permanent gallery, Sciencentre promises a discovery-zone with plenty of fun where people of all ages can get hands-on with more than 20 interactive exhibits and find out how science challenges the human body, exercises the brain and stimulates the senses. Kids can explore the world of science through play, follow their curiosity, ask questions, test ideas and use their imagination in this exciting, interactive and experience-rich environment.
The exhibition invites visitors to challenge their friends, solve puzzles and learn about how science is a part of the things they do every day.
Visit www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au
Cost: Included in Museum entry
EVENTS:
Discover More Talk – Food, mood and bugs in the guts: How gut bacteria shape our brain
12 November
12pm
As part of the Museum of Tropical Queensland’s Discover More talk series, hear from Harvard Medical School graduate and James Cook University Professor Zoltan Sarnyai when he talks about the how what you eat can affect your mental health.
Food and mood are intimately connected – and they are likely to be connected through our gut, hence the term “gut feeling”, where trillions of bacteria live happily in a mutually beneficial relationship with us, the host organism. The talk will introduce the audience to the cutting edge science of “psychobiotic revolution”, our new understanding of how food influences the brain through the gut microbiome and will show how mental health can be maintained by carefully tending our home-grown gut bacteria.
Visit www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au
Cost: Free with admission
Free Entry for Locals Day
Tuesday, 12 November
It’s a free entry day for Townsville residents at the Museum of Tropical Queensland on Tuesday 11 November.
There will be a variety of exhibition talks and tours throughout the day, as well as a Little Explorers discovery session at 9.45am which is ideal for all children aged 3-6 years. Dig deeper into the story of the HMS Pandora – the tragic tale of the ship sent to capture the Bounty mutineers in guided tours at 11am and 1.30pm. The Museum’s taxidermy team will work on specimens in the preparation room beside the Great Gallery between 10am and 1pm and love to talk to visitors about the art of taxidermy and answer any bird identification questions.
Meet Harvard Medical School graduate and James Cook University Professor Zoltan Sarnyai when he talks the cutting edge science being used to understand how what you eat affects your mental health.
Entry is free to the Museum on Tuesday 12 November for Townsville residents as part of ‘Free for Locals Day’. Proof of residency required. Thanks to the support of their councils residents from Burdekin, Charters Towers and Hinchinbrook receive free entry every day. Entry is also free for Annual Pass holders.
Visit www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au
Cost: Free with admission
Little Explorers
Every Tuesday and Thursday during school terms
9.45am
With two sessions a week on Tuesday and Thursday at 9.45am, Little Explorers activity mornings ensures that even the smallest visitors have fun and learn something new at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.
Designed for children under six years of age, Little Explorers is a program that encourages fun, discovery and creativity based around a museum object.
Little Explorers is free with Museum admission and there’s no need to book.
Visit www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au
Cost: Included with Museum entry
