Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

An out of this world educational toddler adventure to add to your toddler bucket list. And you only have to travel to Brisbane!

Key Details

Address: Brisbane Botanic Gardens, 152 Mt Coot-tha Road, Toowong QLD 4066

Google Map Directions

Time from Ormeau HQ: typically 35 to 50 minutes (49.9km)

Contacts: 07 3403 8888 Website Facebook

Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 9am-4pm (Monday, 9am-4pm during Queensland school holidays only). Closed on all public holidays.

The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is located on the grounds of the Brisbane Botanic Gardens on Mount Coot-tha. General entry to the Planetarium is free. Charges apply for Cosmic Skydome shows. If you are travelling from the Gold Coast we recommend adding a Cosmic Skydome show to your toddler adventure and to book your tickets in advance to avoid disappointment and possible tears and tantrums!

Cosmic Skydome

The Planetarium is home of the Cosmic Skydome, a 12.5-metre-diameter projection dome. Most public shows include a full-dome, immersive presentation and finish with a guided tour of the Brisbane sky, when the astronomer will point out the planets, stars, and constellations visible that night.

There are shows specifically designed for children. There is a 3+ age recommendation on the shows, on our last visit Harper was under 3 and enjoyed the show, sitting on my lap. Tickets are Adult $10, Child (3-14 yrs) $10, Concession $10.

Show Schedule and Tickets

Display Zone

The Display Zone includes two areas: the foyer and the gallery, with printed exhibits, models, and interactive displays on astronomy and space exploration.

Discover artefacts and displays, including fragments of asteroids, spacecraft models and a well-known replica of Neil Armstrong’s Apollo spacesuit in the foyer and explore the Solar System, past star formations in the Milky Way, to external galaxies and the Big Bang in the gallery.

Mini Theatre and Gift Shop

The Mini Theatre admission is free and provides short feature shows on various astronomical topics and space missions. The Planetarium’s Galaxy Gift Shop stocks a wide range of astronomy and general science merchandise including star charts, project kits, books, spacecraft models, fossils, souvenirs and novelty items.

Sundial Courtyard

The Sundial Courtyard features a giant concrete, steel and glass sundial, which is used to tell the time when the Sun is shining and is accurate to within 10 minutes. It is a good place to sit, have a snack and explain to your little one how the sun was and still is used to tell the time.

Toddler Review

On our first visit to Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium we didn’t realise it was a good idea to pre book our tickets for the Cosmic Skydome show and we almost missed out! We were very lucky that a few people didn’t show up and we got a spot at the last minute! We saw one of the children’s shows “The Star That Could”. Both children enjoyed exploring the galaxy through the eyes of a little star and the guided tour of the Brisbane sky. Harper who was under 3 at the time was free and much more comfortable sitting on my lap during the show. Show Schedule and Tickets

We all had fun exploring everything to see in the Display Zone and posing for pictures with the different space artefacts and displays.

There is plenty of green space near the entrance of the Planetarium to find a nice spot for a picnic of either snacks or lunch.

We visited the Brisbane Planetarium on a fine day so we combined our visit with an exploration of the Botanic Gardens. There is so much to see and do in the Gardens that we will put together a separate article for you. We do highly recommend planning your visit to see both attractions whilst you are there, if the weather is on your side.

We also recommend the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium as a great toddler rainy day activity too! If you are adventurous and don’t mind a bit of rain you could even pack the raincoats and wellies and still visit the amazing Brisbane Botanic Gardens at Mount Coot-tha on a wet day!

Enjoy your out of this world educational toddler adventure at Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium.