Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium
4.5
Speciality & Gift ShopsObservatories & Planetariums
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium is open 7 days during Qld school holidays: Mon-Sun: 9-4; during school term we are open Tues-Sun: 9-4. The Planetarium presents a wide range of entertaining public astronomy shows for all ages, as well as school programs. The Planetarium is currently operating under a COVID-19 Safety Plan with a limit of 60 patrons in the facility for public shows. Bookings are required and there is no late admittance. PUBLIC SHOWS: Admission charges apply for shows in the Cosmic Skydome, as follows: Adult - $10, Child (age 3-14) - $6.00. Saturday Afternoon Live show: Adult - $12, Children - $8. SCHOOL SHOWS: A visit to the Planetarium is an interesting way for students to learn about the universe. Each school show is tailored to the curriculum requirements for the group attending, or as per the group’s specific needs. An admission fee of $9.20 per student applies. One supervisor for each ten students will be admitted free. Prices subject to change.
Duration: < 1 hour
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4.5
4.5 of 5 bubbles280 reviews
Excellent
158
Very good
97
Average
18
Poor
4
Terrible
3

Michelle G
2 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2022
I took my son to see the 3.00 show on a Sunday called Destination Universe,

It advertises the show as an exciting virtual spaceflight through the solar system.

But in the first 35min of a 50min show, it was the same image of stars still in the sky with a lady giving a commentary pointing with her red dot light what she was talking about.

I turned around to look at my son who was sleeping.

We were both waiting for the charted course through the solar system which seemed to finally come at the end during the last 5 min of the show.

We travelled 2 hours to see what ended up being a boring disapiontment.
Written 31 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sooty
Tweed Heads, Australia271 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Family
So disappointed in the Destination:Universe Show… it wasn’t what we expected. It advertises online as a virtual space flight which I interpreted as a continuous film-like version with narration in a planetarium looking up at the ceiling. Instead it is almost an hour (sorry) of a unsteady, jerky, apologetic at times, view of the universe which was punctuated with ‘close-ups’ then ‘far-away’ views. It did seem to jump from one topic to another and the narration wasn’t very engaging. I always try to find something positive to write in reviews but this ‘show’ didn’t have any redeeming qualities. Also we are told to be there on time as there is no admittance after the theatre doors are closed for the show. Maybe it was just our session but the doors were opened twice after it had started to let people in(?). We have been to other planetariums/shows elsewhere and they are so fantastic hence why we wanted to try the Brisbane show. So sorry to say this to the young lady narrating and showing this session.
Written 11 November 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

charmi_13
Brisbane, Australia97 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2024 • Family
Visited with my young son. It's a great venue considering free admission. Extra for screenings. We went on a Sunday, and there weren't any preschool kids' age programs. It seems those are only available on Saturdays. Would be good if at least 1 or 2 programs (paid) are available on Sundays, too.
Written 26 January 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David P
1 contribution
2.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2020
I booked in for the Passport to the Universe show with much difficulty - partially due to Covid restrictions but generally there did not seem to be a visitor oriented culture. But the main problem was that the show consisted mostly of an American video several years old displayed on the big ceiling. It was full of ooo-aah moments, for sure, but spectacular rather than informative, and certainly not related to the local or even national sky and star scene. There was a very short presentation by the operator after the film which showed just a very little of the local sky and star scene but nothing more than you could get from something on-line or a book. Very disappointing.
Written 1 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Stephen N
Brisbane, Australia207 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sept 2022
There are some many presentations to attend and each one is worth it. One of the highlights it to book in for the night time observatory. I even got to spin the telescope around. Great experience and also another great gift idea for young or old
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Camper12921
Knoxville, TN1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
This beautiful little planetarium, tucked away like an all-white UFO in Brisbane's lush subtropical Botanical gardens, is a Brisbane hidden treasure which has delighted hundreds of thousands of visitors since it opened in 1978. The planetarium's East German made Zeiss star projector is still fascinating after its 25 years of service, but the city council says the facility is due for a major upggrade early next year.
The planetarium will have a new immersive projector system that is world class for such facilities. A must visit for space buffs, the Sir Thomas Brisbane planetarium also contains a telescope and an original signed book published in London in the early 19th century by Sir Thomas Brisbane, a key figure in early astronomy for his map of the southern skies and the man from which the city derives its name.
Written 26 September 2003
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KoalaAustralia
Australia12 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2012 • Family
We took our 7 year old to the Brisbane Planatariums 'Tycho to the Moon', a show for kids in their sky dome. Don't waste your money. Very poor educational content. The majority of kids were bored within 5 minutes of the show starting. The dog flys to the moon in a kennel - that's about it. Very disappointing. Avoid.
Written 10 June 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

BekyBoop
Victoria Point, Australia35 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
I frequently visit the planetarium with friends and family and I love it more each time I go.

The planetarium is situated in the Brisbane Botanical Gardens so often we will visit the gardens and Mt Coot-tha lookout up the road before going to the Planetarium. I suggest making a day trip of it and bringing a picnic lunch!

There are a number of different shows that suit both adults and children and they are very reasonably priced. It is an absolute must to book in advance as the shows fill up fast.

Each show includes a night sky tour which is stunning. Shows are projected onto the roof and hosted by names such as David Attenborough and Liam Neeson. My favourite show has been the 'life amongst the stars'.

When booking, book a few days in advance. Their phone is often unanswered or the line is busy so you have to try many times. Also, try avoid during school holidays and weekends because it is way too crowded and busy and ruins the experience.

If you don't want to pay for a show, the planetarium is open to the public and you can look at displays and pictures but you don't get to go into the cosmic sky dome. I would suggest at least see a show because it is an experience you will love!
Written 29 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

webwrx
Nomadic Aussie70 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
June 2015 • Couples
The facility and presentation was amazing, but what lets this place down is their website. They run two sessions each day - one at 1:30pm and another at 3pm. They have 6 or so different presentations which they rotate through on different days at different sessions, and the schedules are all on the website. The problem arises, however, when a school group is booked in and a particular session for the day is not available to the public. The website will still advertise the session as if it's open and available (eg 1pm - is there life out there?) but in our case a school group had taken that session. Always call first to avoid disappointment.
Written 10 June 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DFD1303
Brisbane, Australia696 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2014 • Family
We spent a very interesting hour and a half at The Brisbane Planetarium. The three year old and six year old were enthralled by the experience and they were full of questions as they enjoyed the show "Cosmic Collisions" followed by another educational sequence on the sky over Brisbane.

The cost for a family of four is very similar to a family ticket at the movies and parking is free and easy. The staff are very helpful and make children feel very welcome and important. Special mention must be made of a volunteer staff member who is 85 years old and is at the forefront of trying to make everybody's experience a happy and memorable one.

Well done.
Written 14 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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SIR THOMAS BRISBANE PLANETARIUM - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

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