Brisbane City Hall & Clock Tower, Brisbane - a clock tower in a city
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Brisbane City Hall & Clock Tower Brisbane

4.7
·290 reviews·Brisbane City, Australia

Ascend Brisbane's iconic Clock Tower for free, offering breathtaking city views and a journey through history via a manual elevator.

Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Social content

Social

From TikTok & Reddit

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, easier booking

CrowdLow
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Brisbane City Hall & Clock Tower, Brisbane - a clock tower in a city

Brisbane City Hall & Clock Tower Brisbane

Best Time

Weekday mornings

Fewer crowds, easier booking

CrowdLow
Highlights

Highlights

Must-see attractions

Ascend Brisbane's iconic Clock Tower for free, offering breathtaking city views and a journey through history via a manual elevator.

4.7
(290 reviews)

"Don’t miss out on this beautiful clock tower! Take the 95-year-old lift to the top for a breathtaking view."

Vertical photo
TIP

🎯 Book Clock Tower Tour Online

Free tours fill up fast! Book your spot online in advance to guarantee your ascent. :ticket:

🏛️ Explore the Museum

The Museum of Brisbane inside City Hall offers free, engaging exhibitions. :museum:

Third hero image

Highlights

Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences

Clock Tower Ascent

Clock Tower Ascent

Brisbane City Hall

Ascend the historic clock tower for panoramic city views. A truly iconic Brisbane experience.

Instagram
Museum of Brisbane

Museum of Brisbane

Brisbane City Hall

Discover fascinating free exhibitions that showcase Brisbane's unique stories and art.

TikTok
Historic Architecture

Historic Architecture

Brisbane City Hall

Admire the stunning architecture of this heritage-listed building, a landmark in King George Square.

Reddit

Planning Your Visit

Book Your Clock Tower Tour in Advance

The free Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower tour is incredibly popular and has limited spots per session. Booking online is highly recommended to avoid disappointment and long waits, especially on weekends. InstagramReddit

Explore the Museum of Brisbane

Don't miss the Museum of Brisbane located within City Hall. It offers free exhibitions and tours, providing a deeper understanding of the city's history and culture. TikTokReddit

Best Times

When
Weekday mornings
Why
Fewer crowds, easier booking
Crowd
Low
When
Late afternoons
Why
Golden hour views
Crowd
Medium

Insider Tips

from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit

September 15 2024 the Brisbane City Hall had its light shining blue to celebrate with the Salvadorean community the independe day of El Salvador. Local dance groups shared with the public some traditional dancing. Disclaimer, New Zealand may actually beat us with celebrations first @Tazumal Salvadoran Dance Group @brisbanecitycouncil
@itscarocaro
37.1K likes • 176.4K views

🎯 Book Clock Tower Tour Online

Free tours fill up fast! Book your spot online in advance to guarantee your ascent. InstagramReddit :ticket:

🏛️ Explore the Museum

The Museum of Brisbane inside City Hall offers free, engaging exhibitions. TikTokReddit :museum:

I didn’t even know there was a museum in city hall 🙈 #thingstodobrisbane #brisbane #visitbrisbane #brisbetter #brisbanecityambassador #brisbanefood
@sherivegas_life
3K likes • 46.8K views
DID you know you can take a FREE tour of the Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower? Take a tour of the Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower. This is a FREE activity BUT it’s best to book online (link below). Tours run every 15 minutes and only 4 people are permitted on a tour at one time. The views are AMAZING. This is definitely an iconic Brisbane location to visit whether you’re a local or visitor👍🏼 TA...
lady_brisbane
740 likes • 26.6K views

🚶‍♀️ Free City Greeters Tour

Join a free Brisbane Greeters tour for local insights and hidden gems. Instagram :walking:

📸 Capture the Views

The clock tower offers fantastic photo opportunities of the city skyline. Reddit :camerawithflash:

Looking for some fun, free things to do around Brisbane? Save this reel so you can try out one of these activities! 🏫 Take a City Hall Clock Tower Tour 🎨 Admire street art 🚶Experience a Brisbane Greeters Tour 🧘 Try a free Active and Healthy yoga class 🖼️ Explore the Museum of Brisbane Search ‘things to do’ at the link in our bio to find more things to do in Brisbane. #Brisbane #ThingsToDoIn...
brisbanecitycouncil
1.7K likes • 63K views

Tips

from all over the internet

🎯 Book Clock Tower Tour Online

Free tours fill up fast! Book your spot online in advance to guarantee your ascent. InstagramReddit :ticket:

🏛️ Explore the Museum

The Museum of Brisbane inside City Hall offers free, engaging exhibitions. TikTokReddit :museum:

🚶‍♀️ Free City Greeters Tour

Join a free Brisbane Greeters tour for local insights and hidden gems. Instagram :walking:

📸 Capture the Views

The clock tower offers fantastic photo opportunities of the city skyline. Reddit :camerawithflash:

🕰️ Learn Clock Tower History

The guided tour explains the workings of Australia's largest analogue clock. Reddit :clock1:

What Travellers Say

4.7
(290 reviews)

Reviews Summary

Visitors rave about the free Clock Tower tour, highlighting the breathtaking views and the unique experience of riding a historic elevator. The friendly and knowledgeable staff are frequently praised for enhancing the visit. The adjacent Museum of Brisbane also receives positive mentions for its engaging, free exhibitions.

"Don’t miss out on this beautiful clock tower! Take the 95-year-old lift to the top for a breathtaking view. The friendly and knowledgeable staff will make your visit even more enjoyable. Booking is easy online, and the tour happens every 15 minutes.

Afterward, you can explore the museum. If you’re in the city, don’t skip this experience!"

Y T

"We took two groups of adults with disabilities as part of an outing program. The staff whilst checking in for the tour was exceptional, she noticed someone was hesitant to join, and she brought over a visual informative sheet to explain and he joined right away! The guide we had was lovely and she explained the history beautifully and answered some questions and comments they had. All participants and staff were very appreciative of the city hall staff and we loved our tours! Highly recommend."

Amelia Volk

"Well worth booking a tour for! It goes by quite quickly (each tour is 15 mins) but the view of the city is lovely and the explanations for how the elevator and clock work we quite interesting. This is the biggest analogue clock in Australia and one of the oldest still-working manual elevators."

Sarah

What People Like

Stunning city views
Free clock tower tour
Historic elevator ride

What People Dislike

Tour duration is short

Frequently Asked Questions

🚇 🗺️ Getting There

Brisbane City Hall is centrally located in King George Square, easily accessible by public transport. Numerous bus routes stop nearby, and it's a short walk from the City Botanic Gardens bus station. The nearest train station is Roma Street, about a 10-15 minute walk away. Reddit+1

While there isn't dedicated parking at City Hall, several public car parks are located within walking distance, including the King George Square Car Park and the Secure Parking complex on Albert Street. Consider public transport to avoid parking hassles. Reddit

Yes, ride-sharing services like Uber and DiDi are a convenient option. You can set Brisbane City Hall as your drop-off point. TikTok

Brisbane City Hall is generally accessible. The Museum of Brisbane has accessible exhibition spaces. The clock tower tour involves a historic elevator, and staff are known for their helpfulness with visitors who may have hesitations. Reddit

The area around City Hall is very walkable. You can easily explore King George Square, the Treasury Casino, and head towards South Bank via the Victoria Bridge. Reddit

🎫 🎫 Tickets & Entry

The Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower tour is completely free! However, due to high demand and limited capacity, booking your spot online in advance is highly recommended. InstagramReddit+1

No, entry to the Museum of Brisbane is free, and you typically do not need to book tickets in advance. However, it's always a good idea to check their official website for any special exhibition requirements. TikTokReddit

Brisbane City Hall is generally open to the public during business hours, typically Monday to Friday. The Museum of Brisbane and Clock Tower tours have specific operating hours, so it's best to check the official Brisbane City Council website for the most up-to-date information. Instagram

The guided tour of the clock tower is quite brief, lasting approximately 15 minutes. It's a quick but rewarding experience. Reddit

Yes, you can explore the beautiful architecture of Brisbane City Hall and visit the Museum of Brisbane without taking the clock tower tour. The building itself is a significant heritage site. Reddit

🎫 🧭 Onsite Experience

At Brisbane City Hall, you can take a free tour of the iconic Clock Tower for stunning city views, explore the engaging exhibitions at the Museum of Brisbane, and admire the building's impressive heritage architecture. TikTokInstagramReddit

The Clock Tower is home to Australia's largest analogue clock and features a historic manual elevator. The guided tour offers insights into its history and mechanics, along with breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane. Reddit+1

Yes, the Museum of Brisbane often offers guided tours of its exhibitions, providing deeper context and insights. Additionally, Brisbane Greeters offer free walking tours of the city, which may include City Hall. InstagramReddit

The clock tower tour has a limited capacity of only 4 people per session to ensure a quality experience. While it's free, booking ahead is crucial as it can get busy, especially on weekends. Instagram

From the clock tower, you'll get fantastic 360-degree views of Brisbane's CBD, the Brisbane River, South Bank, and surrounding suburbs. It's a great spot for photography. InstagramReddit

📸 📸 Photography

The top of the Clock Tower offers unparalleled panoramic views of the city skyline, perfect for capturing Brisbane's urban landscape. The grand architecture of City Hall itself, both inside and out, also makes for stunning photographs. InstagramReddit

Yes, photography is generally allowed during the clock tower tour, and many visitors capture the incredible views. Be mindful of other tour participants and the guide's instructions. Reddit

While general photography is usually permitted in public areas of City Hall, it's always wise to check for any specific signage or ask staff if you plan on extensive photography, especially within the Museum of Brisbane's exhibitions. Reddit

Late afternoon, during the 'golden hour,' offers beautiful warm light for cityscapes. However, daytime provides clear visibility, and even twilight can be magical as the city lights begin to twinkle. Reddit

A wide-angle lens is great for capturing the expansive city views from the tower. A standard zoom lens is versatile. If you're interested in details, a macro lens could be useful for the clock's mechanism if accessible. Reddit

For Different Travelers

Tailored advice for your travel style

👨‍👩‍👧 Families with Kids

Brisbane City Hall offers a fantastic free outing for families. The Museum of Brisbane has engaging exhibitions that can capture children's imaginations, often with interactive elements. TikTokReddit

The Clock Tower tour is a short but exciting adventure, especially the ride in the historic elevator. While the tour is brief, the views from the top are captivating for all ages. Staff are known to be very accommodating and helpful, making the experience enjoyable for everyone, including those with disabilities. Reddit

💰 Budget Travelers

Brisbane City Hall is a goldmine for budget-conscious travelers. The Clock Tower tour is completely free, offering incredible views and a unique experience. InstagramReddit+1 The Museum of Brisbane also provides free entry to its exhibitions, allowing you to immerse yourself in local culture without spending a dime. TikTokReddit

Combine your visit with a free Brisbane Greeters tour or explore the surrounding free attractions like the City Botanic Gardens or South Bank. The MoB shop also offers affordable souvenirs if you're looking for gifts. InstagramReddit

📸 Photography Enthusiasts

For photographers, Brisbane City Hall and its Clock Tower are a dream. The panoramic views from the tower are spectacular, especially during the golden hour. Reddit Capture the city's skyline, the winding river, and the urban sprawl. Instagram

Don't forget to photograph the impressive architecture of City Hall itself, both its grand exterior and elegant interiors. The historic elevator also makes for a unique shot. Consider bringing a wide-angle lens to capture the expansive vistas. Reddit+1

Deep Dives

In-depth insights and expert knowledge

The Iconic Clock Tower Tour

The Brisbane City Hall Clock Tower tour is a must-do for any visitor. This free experience takes you up in a historic manual elevator, one of the oldest still in operation in Australia. The tour itself is brief, lasting about 15 minutes, but it's packed with fascinating information about the tower's mechanics and history. Reddit+1

At the top, you'll be rewarded with breathtaking panoramic views of Brisbane's CBD, the Brisbane River, and beyond. It's an excellent vantage point for photography, offering a unique perspective on the city. Due to its popularity and limited capacity (only 4 people per tour), booking online in advance is essential to secure your spot. Instagram+1

Visitors consistently praise the friendly and knowledgeable staff who enhance the experience. The tour is not only informative but also a memorable way to connect with Brisbane's heritage and iconic landmarks. Reddit+1

Discovering the Museum of Brisbane

Located within the grand Brisbane City Hall, the Museum of Brisbane (MoB) offers a free and engaging exploration of the city's past, present, and future. It's a treasure trove of stories, art, and artifacts that capture the unique spirit of Brisbane. TikTokReddit

The museum hosts a variety of temporary exhibitions that change regularly, ensuring there's always something new to discover. These exhibitions often delve into local history, contemporary art, and the diverse communities that make up Brisbane. The MoB is also known for its free guided tours, which provide deeper insights into the current displays and the building's heritage. Reddit

Beyond the exhibitions, the MoB Shop is a great place to find unique souvenirs that go beyond generic tourist trinkets, offering locally designed products and artisan crafts. Reddit It's an ideal complement to the clock tower visit, offering a more in-depth cultural experience within the same historic building.

Architectural Grandeur of City Hall

Brisbane City Hall is a magnificent heritage-listed building that stands as a testament to the city's architectural past. Its imposing facade and intricate details make it a landmark in King George Square and a popular subject for photographers. Reddit

Constructed in the early 20th century, the building showcases Palladian-style architecture with grand interiors, including the stunning Annexe and the heritage-listed Council Chambers. Visitors can appreciate the craftsmanship and the sense of history that permeates the building. Even without taking a specific tour, simply walking through the public areas offers a glimpse into Brisbane's civic history. Reddit

The building has also been a venue for significant events and celebrations, including cultural festivals and public gatherings, further cementing its role as a central hub for the city. TikTok

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