Brisbane Open House tour: Anzac Square Memorial Galleries

Explore Queensland’s State War Memorial in the heart of Brisbane as part of Brisbane Open House 2025. Visitors are welcome to drop in anytime between 10 am and 4 pm or join one of three free guided tours.

Have you ever wanted to learn more about the history and design of Anzac Square Memorial Galleries?  Opened in 1930, Anzac Square is the State War Memorial of Queensland; a significant public and historical site dedicated to the men and women who have served their country in conflict and in peace since the Boer War. It was borne from a grieving society, who gave and lost so much during World War I, and paid for by individual donations – ordinary people, who were themselves facing difficult times in the years between World War I and the Great Depression. Since 1931 more than 130 memorial plaques have been laid within the galleries commemorating the service and sacrifice of Queensland associated military units.  

As part of Brisbane Open House 2025, join us for a free 30-minute guided tour exploring the history behind Queensland’s pre-eminent war memorial. Tours depart 10:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 2:00 pm on Sunday 20 July, come along to discover:  

• The largely unknown history of the Memorial Galleries; a hidden treasure beneath the Cenotaph. 

• The history and design behind some of the memorial plaques and honour rolls within the galleries. 

• The recent renovations undertaken to maintain, restore, protect and respectfully enhance the galleries to ensure their continued use and relevance for current and future generations.  

As part of this tour guests will also be able to view the breathtaking Don Ross mosaic, on display from Monday 7 to Sunday 20 July. This emotive artwork is a powerful tribute to the men and women who served in World War II and features an astounding 140,000 hand cut Smalti Tessera (Venetian glass) tiles.   

Bookings essential - tickets available at 8am on Saturday 5th July.