Located on the corner of Melbourne Street and Grey Street in Brisbane's South Bank precinct, the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) is a premier venue within the Queensland Cultural Centre. Opened in 1985 and designed by local architect Robin Gibson, this vibrant hub hosts over 1,200 annual performances, bringing dance, musicals, theatre, opera, comedy, and concerts to life across its indoor and outdoor spaces. When you visit, you can experience shows from Queensland's leading performing arts companies—including the Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, and Queensland Symphony Orchestra—alongside major Australian and international acts.
You will explore a variety of performance spaces, starting with the grand Lyric Theatre, Brisbane's primary spot for major musicals, operas, and ballets. Check out the Concert Hall, featuring a magnificent 6,566-pipe Klais organ, or take in an intimate show at the reconfigurable Cremorne Theatre. Near the entrance of the Cremorne Theatre, you can browse changing performing arts exhibits at the Tony Gould Gallery.
QPAC also features the Playhouse, the Glasshouse Theatre, and hosts signature events like the Out of the Box Festival for young children and the First Nations Clancestry program.
What to see at Queensland Performing Arts Centre
- Multiple venues including the Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Playhouse, and Cremorne Theatre
- Impressive 6,566-pipe Klais organ located inside the Concert Hall
- Rotating performing arts exhibits at the Tony Gould Gallery
- Performance home for the Queensland Ballet, Opera Queensland, and Queensland Symphony Orchestra
Visiting tips
Stop by the entrance of the Cremorne Theatre to check out changing performing arts exhibits curated by the QPAC Museum at the Tony Gould Gallery.
How long: 2-3 hours · Best time: Evening
How to get there & what’s nearby
Queensland Performing Arts Centre is easy to reach on Brisbane’s public transport, and pairs naturally with Queensland Museum and Cathedral of St Stephen, Brisbane. For where to stay, the weather and full itineraries, see our Brisbane travel guide.
See the full Brisbane travel guide for where to stay, the best time to visit and the top things to do.