Parliament House

Parliament House is turning 150 years old and to celebrate the doors are being thrown open to the public on August 11 for free tours with live entertainment and children’s activities.

This is a unique and fantastic opportunity for the public to take a free, behind-the-scenes tour of one of Queensland’s most beautiful and culturally significant buildings.

Visitors can view the Legislative Assembly Chamber (where Queensland’s Parliament meets), the Premier’s office and the O’Donovan Library with its heritage listed collection.

Highlights include the Queen Victoria stained-glass window, the grand staircase and the secret staircase, a steep stone set of stairs that led from the back of an office on the ground floor to the top rear of the Legislative Council Chamber.

The original 1868 opening of Parliament House will be re-created with the Governor arriving at Parliament House at 10am by horse-drawn carriage, heralded by the Town Crier.

This family-friendly fun day out includes children’s activities like Lego building, croquet and a children’s trail incorporated as part of the Parliament House tour.

Relax on the Speaker’s Green, enjoy live music performed by school choirs and brass ensembles, and view fascinating displays on stonemasonry (by the stonemasons who worked on the restoration of Parliament House). 

Need to know - For the ultimate Parliament House experience, there will be two High Teas (10.45am, 1.30pm) held in the historic Strangers Dining Room. The cost is $45 per person which includes the following: scones with strawberry preserve and fresh cream, savoury quiches, ribbon sandwiches, petite pastries and cakes, coffee and tea. BOOK HERE

Nice to know - In addition to the Open Day on August 11, there will also be a 150th anniversary “Old Meets New’ degustation commemorative dinner on August 10 - BOOK HERE and a Historical Seminar presented by Queensland Parliament and the Royal Historical Society of Queensland (RHSQ) on August 25 -  BOOK HERE

By Deb Lidster