Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries

Updated April 15, 2024

Attend an Anzac Day Dawn Service | Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries

# Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries, Brisbane — A Practical, Respectful Guide

Queensland’s state war memorial sits in the heart of the Brisbane CBD between Ann and Adelaide Streets. Above ground you’ll find the sandstone Shrine of Remembrance with its Eternal Flame; below ground, the Memorial Galleries present an evidence-rich, free exhibition spanning World War I through the post-1945 era. Entry is free, and the location is literally steps from Central Station’s Ann Street entrance.

## Why Go

– Understand Queensland’s service history in context. The galleries are curated by the State Library of Queensland and trace the state’s war experience from the First World War to today, with memorial plaques, multimedia, and focused interpretation.
– See living remembrance. The open-air Shrine houses a continuously lit Eternal Flame in a bronze urn—an austere, photogenic space used for Anzac Day and Remembrance Day ceremonies.
– It’s central, quiet, and free. A rare moment of stillness in the CBD, with zero admission cost and seamless access from trains, buses, and nearby ferries.

## What to Look For

### Shrine of Remembrance & Eternal Flame
A circular colonnade of Helidon sandstone (18 columns symbolising 1918) surrounds the Eternal Flame in a brass urn. Steps are Queensland granite; a commemorative tablet marks the base. Photograph the flame from the compass mosaic floor in the early morning or late afternoon for softer light.

### Memorial Galleries (Underground)
Enter via the double brass doors beneath the Shrine or the pedestrian tunnel from Central Station. Inside, the free exhibition is organised as:
– World War I Memorial Crypt — ornate plaques honouring Queensland units.
– World War II Gallery — lined with plaques and interpretive content on Queensland’s wartime role.
– Post-1945 Gallery — contemporary service and peacekeeping.

The Don Ross Mosaic (limited reveals). One of the square’s lesser-known highlights is an 8 m × 2.5 m Venetian glass mosaic (≈140,000 tesserae) by Brisbane artist Don Ross, usually protected and unveiled only twice a year (mid-January and during Brisbane Open House; dates vary—check listings).

### Queensland Women’s War Memorial (Western Wall)
Sculptor Daphne Mayo created this sandstone frieze in 1932, dedicated by the women of Queensland “in memory of those who lost their lives through the Great War 1914–1918.” A bronze-fish drinking fountain fronts the panel.

### Other Memorial Elements in the Parklands
– South African War (Boer War) equestrian memorial near Adelaide Street—names of 89 Queenslanders appear on its plaques.
– Korean and Vietnam War memorials within the square.
– Brisbane RAAF Memorial with its striking bronze eagle.

## Practicalities

### Location, Hours, Cost
– Address: 285 Ann Street, Brisbane City (parklands span to Adelaide Street).
– Opening Hours (Galleries): Sun–Fri 10:00–16:00; Saturday closed; Anzac Day 05:30–15:00; Public holidays closed. Admission is free. (Hours current on the official site.)
– Contacts: +61 466 922 259; [email protected].

### Getting There
– Train: Directly opposite Central Station (Ann Street entrance).
– Ferry: Riverside and Eagle Street Pier terminals are the closest.
– Bus: Free City Loop and Spring Hill Loop stop at Central Station.
– Parking: Paid options include Post Office Square, Wickham Terrace, QueensPlaza, and King George Square car parks.

### Accessibility
– Step-free access to all gallery spaces; all entrances and areas are wheelchair accessible.
– Passenger drop-off on Adelaide Street; assistance dogs (certified) welcomed. Ambulant toilets available in the Post-WWII section.

## Visiting Tips (Respect + Information Gain)

– Time your visit. For quiet reflection and photography, arrive near opening (10:00) or after 15:00 on weekdays. If attending Anzac Day, the Dawn Service at the Shrine starts at 4:28 am (arrive early; CBD road closures apply). The galleries observe special hours on Anzac Day (05:30–15:00).
– Follow site etiquette. Photography is allowed; avoid touching plaques and keep food/drink out (water permitted). E-scooters shouldn’t be ridden within the parklands.
– Plan for the mosaic. If the Don Ross mosaic interests you, verify the next reveal window (typically mid-January and a mid-year Open House period). It’s brief—and worth it.
– Combine with rail history. The pedestrian tunnel link to Central Station makes it easy to pair with a heritage walk of the CBD’s civic architecture before or after your visit (City Hall, GPO, Post Office Square frame the square’s vistas).

## Brief History & Design Notes

– Opened: Armistice Day, 11 November 1930; the Shrine’s Eternal Flame has burned continuously since dedication.
– Architecture: Greek Classical Revival by Buchanan & Cowper (Sydney). Helidon sandstone superstructure; granite steps; the colonnade’s 18 columns reference the year 1918.
– Heritage Status: Listed on the Queensland Heritage Register (State Heritage, Place ID 600062). The register notes the square’s significant interwar design and its ceremonial components (shrine, crypt, flame, walls, pathways, memorial trees).

## Need-to-Know (At a Glance)

– Free entry to galleries; Sun–Fri, 10:00–16:00 (closed Sat/Public Holidays; special hours Anzac Day).
– Central Station opposite; ferries and free CBD loop buses nearby.
– Inclusive access: step-free, assistance dogs welcome, accessible facilities.
– Key features: Shrine & Eternal Flame; WWI crypt; WWII & post-1945 galleries; Women’s War Memorial; RAAF Memorial; Boer War equestrian statue.

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### Accuracy & Updates
– Hours, contacts, access and policies are quoted from the official Anzac Square site (managed by the State Library of Queensland) and are current as published there. Check for changes before you go, particularly around public holidays and commemorations.

Respect the site’s purpose: Anzac Square is foremost a place of remembrance for all who served—including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander service men and women—and a space where everyone should feel welcome and safe.

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