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A gallery space built for kids, with interactive artworks made alongside major artists, plus the outdoor play sculpture The Big Hose.
Access: Free, included with general entry.
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) Brisbane Tickets
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Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Brisbane: Quick overview
- Free general entry: Walk into GOMA's galleries with no ticket and no booking.
- Ways to explore: Go self-guided, join a free 40-minute volunteer tour, or visit the Children's Art Centre.
- Ticketed shows: A few special exhibitions charge entry; book these online before you go.
- What's unique: GOMA holds the Australian Cinémathèque, the only dedicated cinema inside an Australian art museum.
- When to book: Special-exhibition slots and Friday-night cinema tickets fill fastest on weekends.
- Good to know: Open daily 10am to 5pm, closed Good Friday, Christmas Day, and Boxing Day.
- Best add-on: Time a Friday visit around a cinema screening or live music night.
Compare your ticket options
| # | Ticket type | Booking needed? | Includes |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | General admission | No, walk straight in | Most GOMA exhibitions and collection displays |
2 | Special exhibition ticket | Yes, book a timed slot | One ticketed show (for example Olafur Eliasson: Presence) |
What to expect at GOMA, Queensland
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Arrive at the riverside galleries
GOMA sits on the Brisbane River in South Brisbane, 150 metres from its sister building, the Queensland Art Gallery. The street-level entrance on Stanley Place opens straight into bright, open foyers. First impressions are scale and natural light.
Start on the ground floor
The vast ground-level spaces hold GOMA's largest installations, the kind that fill a room or hang from the ceiling. This is where headline contemporary works land. Displays change often, so each visit looks different from the last.
Move up through the changing galleries
Upper levels run smaller, themed galleries covering art from Australia, Asia, and the Pacific. Expect painting, sculpture, video, and large-format photography. Free drawing stations are dotted through the building if you want to pause and sketch.
The Children's Art Centre
GOMA built one of the few gallery spaces designed for kids, with hands-on artworks made with leading artists. Entry is always free. Outside, the play sculpture in GOMA's backyard, The Big Hose, keeps younger visitors busy.
The Australian Cinémathèque
This is the only dedicated cinema inside an Australian art museum. It screens rare prints, restorations, and silent films with live music on Wednesday and Friday nights, plus weekend matinees. Some sessions are free, others ticketed.
Wrap up by the river
End at the GOMA Bistro overlooking the water, open from 9am. After dark, the building's facade glows through James Turrell's light commission. With QAG just 150 metres away, you can fold both galleries into one free visit.
Things to know before booking your tickets to GOMA
- Entry to GOMA is free, and that covers most exhibitions, collection displays, and the Children's Art Centre. You do not need a ticket or a timed slot for general admission. Just walk in during opening hours.
- Ticketed shows release timed slots in advance. Popular exhibitions and Friday-night sessions sell out fastest on weekends, so book ahead. Same-day tickets may exist for quieter slots but are not guaranteed.
- Go self-guided at your own pace, or join a free 40-minute volunteer tour offered most days (check the events calendar for times). Booked community groups of 10 or more can request a tour with at least 15 days' notice.
- There is no queue to skip for free entry. A free cloakroom is available, and backpacks, suitcases, and umbrellas must be stowed before you enter the galleries.
- Special-exhibition tickets are usually timed and single-entry. Cancellation terms vary by show, so check the specific product before booking. The Children's Art Centre and most collection galleries stay free and open to all.
Explore Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland
Children's Art Centre
Australian Cinémathèque
The only dedicated cinema in an Australian art museum, screening rare prints, restorations, and silent films with live music.
Access: Some sessions free; paid films need a separate ticket.
Queensland Art Gallery (QAG)
GOMA's sister building, 150 metres away, holding Australian, Asian, and International collections from different eras.
Access: Free entry, no ticket needed.
Plan your visit to the Gallery of Modern Art, Queensland
- Daily hours: 10am–5pm.
- Anzac Day: Opens at noon.
- Closed: Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day.
- Cinema screenings: Wednesday & Friday evenings until 5:30pm.
- Best times: Weekday mornings are quietest. Friday evenings and weekends are busiest, especially during ticketed exhibitions.
- Seasonal note: Summer school holidays (Dec–Jan) are peak; winter weekdays (Jun–Aug) are calmer.
Address: Stanley Place, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, part of the Queensland Cultural Centre, riverside, ~10–15 minutes’ walk from Brisbane CBD | Find on maps
- Bus: Cultural Centre busway station (adjacent, frequent services).
- Train: South Brisbane station (7‑minute walk).
- Ferry: South Bank CityCat & ferry terminal (10‑minute walk; scenic option).
- Walk: Cross Victoria Bridge or Kurilpa footbridge from the city.
- Drive: Paid parking under QAG and State Library (entry via Stanley Place). Spaces fill quickly during major exhibitions.
- Main entrance: Stanley Place (street level, step‑free).
- QAG riverfront entrance: Near Victoria Bridge, ~150m away, connects to sister gallery.
- Admission: Free general entry. Ticketed exhibitions (e.g., Olafur Eliasson: Presence) require scanning at the exhibition entrance or ticket desk.
- Bags: Free cloakroom; backpacks, suitcases, umbrellas must be stored.
- Family tip: Strollers are permitted; cloakroom staff can assist with storage of bulky items.
- GOMA Bistro: Riverside dining, 9am–4pm daily.
- QAG Café: Sister building, open daily.
- Free cloakroom: Bags, suitcases, umbrellas.
- Drawing stations: Free art materials throughout.
- Gallery store: Art books, prints, gifts.
- Wheelchairs: Available to borrow; book ahead via Information Desk +61 (0)7 3840 7303.
- Wi‑Fi: Free public Wi‑Fi throughout the Cultural Centre.
- Cinema: GOMA hosts screenings and film festivals; check program for evening sessions.
- Step‑free entry at Stanley Place.
- Lift access from Stanley Place car park (beneath State Library).
- Wheelchairs available onsite (reserve via Information Desk).
- Accessible toilets within the gallery (confirm latest locations on QAGOMA site).
- Lifts connect floors; building largely single‑level accessible.
- Sensory programs: Relaxed sessions for neurodiverse visitors; quiet hours scheduled during major exhibitions.
- Companion Card: Accepted for ticketed exhibitions.
- Cinema access: Hearing loops and captioned screenings available.
Tips & insider guidelines
- Cinema shortcut: If you’re attending a film screening, use the side entrance near the Bistro. It’s less crowded than the main doors and gets you straight to the cinema foyer.
- Quiet corners: The mezzanine near the gallery store has tucked‑away seating and sketching tables. Regulars use it as a calm retreat when exhibitions are busy.
- Evening light show: Turrell’s Night Life is best viewed from the Kurilpa footbridge after sunset; this angle gives the full riverside facade.
- Cloakroom hack: The free cloakroom will also store picnic baskets or shopping bags if you’re combining GOMA with South Bank Parklands. Handy if you don’t want to carry things through exhibitions.
- Family trick: Drawing stations often run out of paper by mid‑afternoon. Staff will happily restock if you ask; request extra sheets early.
- Wi‑Fi zones: The strongest free Wi‑Fi signal is near the Bistro terrace and cinema foyer. Good to know if you’re uploading photos or working remotely.
- Parking timing: Car parks under QAG and the State Library fill fast on weekends. Locals often park at South Bank Parklands (Grey Street) and walk across the river.
- Exhibition re‑entry: For ticketed shows, you can re‑enter the same day with your wristband or ticket stub; useful if you want to step out for lunch and return later.
- Late‑day vibe: Arriving around 4pm gives you a quieter last hour in the galleries, followed by the riverside light show at dusk.
Frequently asked questions about Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane tickets
Yes, general admission is free. Only special exhibitions and cinema screenings require tickets.
For major exhibitions, advance booking is recommended to avoid queues. General entry does not require a ticket.
1–2 hours for highlights; 3–4 hours if exploring exhibitions, cinema, and Bistro. Locals often combine GOMA with nearby South Bank attractions for a half‑day visit.
Photography is allowed in most areas. Flash, tripods, and selfie sticks are restricted. Some temporary exhibitions may have “no photography” signs.
Yes. Free drawing stations, stroller‑friendly access, and family programs make it popular with kids. Cloakroom staff can store bulky prams if needed.
GOMA Bistro (riverside dining, 9am–4pm) and QAG Café (sister building) serve meals, coffee, and snacks. Water bottles are allowed but must be sealed.
Paid parking is available under QAG and the State Library via Stanley Place. Spaces fill quickly on weekends; locals often park at South Bank Parklands and walk across.
Yes. Step‑free entry, lifts between floors, accessible toilets, and free wheelchair loans are available. Companion Cards are accepted for ticketed exhibitions.
Free daily tours run by volunteer guides. Special exhibition tours may require booking. Check the program for times.
Weekday mornings are quietest. Friday evenings and weekends are busiest. Summer school holidays are peak season; winter weekdays are calmer.
Yes, with your wristband or ticket stub. Handy if you want to step out for lunch and return later.
Free public Wi‑Fi is available throughout the Cultural Centre. Strongest signals are near the Bistro terrace and cinema foyer.
South Bank Parklands, Queensland Museum, State Library of Queensland, and QAG (Queensland Art Gallery) are all within walking distance.
