Once a year, usually in July, buildings of historical or cultural significance around Brisbane open their doors to the public for free, with guided tours and exhibits. This event is known as Brisbane Open House. The website explains:

“Brisbane Open House (BOH) is a free annual event providing residents and visitors with the rare opportunity to discover the hidden wealth of architecture, engineering and history in buildings and places around Brisbane city.”

The Fire Station

As my son is a typical boy obsessed with emergency vehicles, we ventured to Roma Street Fire Station on the edge of the CBD. (Affordable parking is available a 15-minute walk away at Roma Street Parklands.)

We were met by the Queensland Fire Department mascot, Blazer the fire safety koala, who proffered our son a high-five. The mascot’s minder distributed orange stickers with Blazer climbing out a window, warning: “Get out and stay out.”

Firefighters gave groups of visitors guided tours around the station, the busiest in Brisbane as it serves the CBD area. It has 14 firefighters on shift at any time, as opposed to suburban stations with just four firemen.

Because the station is in such demand, a night without any calls is known as a “unicorn”, as it is so rare as to be nigh impossible. 40% of the calls are due to automated fire alarm systems.

It is the only fire station in Brisbane with fireman poles, and our guide Joel said that he prefers taking the stairs, as firefighters have been seriously injured sliding down those poles.

We saw their gym, messroom, recreation room, office and of course, the fire engines. My son was peeved that he was not able tosit in one of the engines, but as Joel explained, due to the carcinogenic particles that firefighters are exposed to, the station is split into the “dirty” areas – the room with their Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and the garage for their engines – and the “clean” areas: everywhere else.

It was an illuminating tour with a sobering reminder of the costly sacrifice of their health and lives that firefighters pay to keep us safe.

The Police Museum

Just up the road is the Queensland Police Headquarters, where there is a free museum. This year is the 160^th anniversary of the Queensland Police.

There was a mock-up of a murder crime scene, along with memorabilia from the earliest days of the force and models of police stations from olden times till now. My toddlers were especially interested in the building models and the police motorcycle, which visitors are allowed to sit on.

After that, we strolled over to Roma Street Parklands and had a mid-morning snack at the café, followed by some hours of fun at the playgrounds. We also took a ride on the Xpress Fun Train through the park ($6 per passenger).

Historical Houses

The following day, we visited All Saints Anglican Church, Miegunyah House Museum and Newstead House, all within a short radius of each other.

As the websites for the latter two explain:

“Newstead House was once the finest home in the colony of Moreton Bay, boasting a reputation for hosting lavish parties, it was considered the place to be – the heart of Brisbane’s social life. Built in 1846, it is now Brisbane’s oldest standing European residence and tells the story of early colonial life in Brisbane… of ambition, loss and resilience.”

“Miegunyah was designed with the needs and tastes of the wealthy nineteenth-century colonial family in mind. The use of brick piers, rather than timber stumps, and cast-iron lace on the verandah balustrades, fringes and posts are evidence that this was a better class of residence.”

Our toddlers were too young to grasp the historical significance of these colonial homes, but they exclaimed over the ancient toys as we peered at the children’s rooms, and curiously observed the other artefacts. There were also toys and books on sale at Miegunyah.

Miegunyah, run by the Queensland Women’s Historical Association, offers an affordable Devonshire tea at $10 per adult and $5 per child. We shall return to partake of the scrumptious treats.

Brisbane Open House is a great opportunity for the whole family to learn more about our community’s history and civic organisations. If you are in town, keep an eye out for the event next year!

If you live elsewhere, what about your city? Do you know about similar activities?

• Adelaide has a children’s festival in May 2025 called Dream Big, and more fun activities are listed here.
• Melbourne has lots of options for their Open House, held in July every year, with specific children’s activities here; there are even more suggestions for families here.
• Sydney’s school holidays always have lots of fun happening for children as well.
• Perth lists its children’s activities here.
• Hobart boasts multiple things to explore
• If you live in the Top End, Darwin has these to offer.
• Canberra has some capital items as well, for those who enjoy nature and culture.

With all these sights in store, you can start planning for the next school holidays now.

___

Image courtesy of Adobe.