Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium

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, so if you just turn up you could find yourself disappointed. Don’t rely on their website, and always call first to avoid disappointment.

I love going to the planetarium. I think what I find most compelling about a trip to the planetarium comes down to two main things. The first is that it’s a rare event. For some reason I often forget that the Planetarium is a thing until one day when I’m sick of my usual weekend activities (gasp!) and have been wracking my brain for something different to do. The other thing is that because the Planetarium is up at Mt. Coot-​tha, you really feel like you’re getting closer to the stars as you drive up the windy, scenic roads. Once you get there you’re not only faced with the prospect of some space-​y fun, but the gorgeous Mt. Coot-​tha gardens and look-​out.
Although the Planetarium has some pretty cool and interesting displays in its corridors, the star of the show (space pun!) is always the sky dome. It just *feels* futuristic in there. Sit down in a big cushy chair and watch as the lights are dimmed and a night sky made up of tiny, bright lights opens up above you. I’m always riveted by the show during which a guide will show you various constellations and features of space as well as photos of supernovas, asteroids, and other interesting galactic phenomena. Even younger kids are intrigued by this and don’t seem to find it too boring or ‘educational’. The building itself is very interesting architecturally, too, especially set amongst the lush gardens. A great package!

Ah the plan — e — arium. What a great, fun, educational and seriously nerdy day out you are. So, pretty much my ideal day :)
It is heaps cooler if you bring kids with you, so just borrow some if you haven’t grown any of your own. It makes you look less like a total dick when you ooohh and aaaahh over the light shows and educational films. Plus you have more excuses to buy gift shop stuff.
It was getting a trifle tired so they’ve decided to give it an update, I’ll be back in March to see what new and exciting aspects of the galaxy I can discover.

Show me a kid who doesn’t gaze at stars and I’ll say that’s one boring child you’ve got there. Growing up, the Planetarium has always been a magical wonderland to visit. I loved lying back and gazing up at the night dome and being taught about the constellations.
Even now, I like to visit occasionally though I always like it better if I bring along friends with children or my own niece and nephew. There’s just something about their childlike awe which I wish I seem to have misplaced as a grown up.
The planetarium is closed at the moment for renovations until March the 3^rd but I’ve got my eye on the website and will update fellow Unilocalers if there is any spectacular night shows on their re-​opening weekend.

My upbringing was heavily laden with astrological lessons. If I hear the terms ‘conjunct’, ‘squared’, or ‘retrograde’, my mind will spiral back to my teenage years where I spent a lot of time sitting at the kitchen table studying planets and their relationships to each other.
As I underwent my astrological education, I developed a deep fascination with astronomy. This astronomical intrique led me to the Planetarium. I’m almost embarrassed about how many dates I’ve had there. I blame adolescent discussions regarding the ‘mysterious qualities of Scorpios’.
The cosmic skydome is where it’s at. They have shows on there all the time (they play 2 – 3 times per day, so enquire ahead of time). Currently there’s a show on called «Cosmic Collisions» which I like to think of as a space version of Demolition Derby. When you go to a show in the cosmic skydome, you walk inside the darkened dome and look up. You’ll be sitting under an imitation black night sky. The lights are choreographed in a certain way so as to highlight details like certain constellations. And that’s the boring stuff. To the Big Dipper and beyond! The shows usually cost between $ 10-​$ 20.
The Planetarium also has a mini theatre where you can watch documentary shorts about space related subjects. You can also take in factoids about space from the posters that hang along the walls of Star Trek inspired walk ways.
Don’t forget to check out the Planetarium store on your way out. This place is FULL of cool nerdy space toys. I think it’s by far the best toy shop in Brisbane. Who doesn’t love dehydrated space food?

Ever wanted to sit under a blanket of stars? Ever wanted to go somewhere romantic under the stars? Learn about the solar system? Learn about the Mars Mission buggy thing… this place is for kids and adults, and it’s undiscovered… not that many people know it’s there, it’s all hidden away across the car park of the Mt Cootha Botanic Gardens. I love this, it’s my dirty little secret getaway on a hot summers day.
They have the cosmic skydome, an educational experience or walk if you may. They have a display zone, it’s free, you can sit and see hubble telescope pictures or learn things about Mars… they show different things every now and then… there isn’t a time limit, you can stay there all day. In the skydome there are shows, they last maybe 30 minute in length and you sit and learn about black holes and cosmic collisions, there are kids shows as well scheduled, tickets are very cheap too, mostly under $ 10.
There is a kid in all of us, this is where you unleash your inner kid. I love love love it, and will be taking my children there for years to come.