QUEEN STREET MALL

Queen Street Mall Audio Guide

Audio Guide Transcript

  • Your one-stop destination to shop, dine, stay and play

    Discover the heart of the City at Queen Street Mall, a flourishing open-air shopping destination that is home to over 500 stores, from local boutiques to luxury international brands. Brisbane’s premier shopping district is where the city’s vibrant culture, shopping experiences and mouth-watering eateries converge to create an unforgettable urban oasis.

    As visitors enter Queen Street Mall, they are greeted by a riot of sensory delights. The hum of bustling crowds blends with the lively tunes of street performers, while the aromas of freshly brewed coffee and gourmet treats waft through the air from nearby cafes and restaurants. As you wander the mall, the brightly lit shopfronts of renowned retailers that line the streets tempt you to enter and indulge yourself.

    Whether you are a fashion enthusiast, a foodie, or someone looking to soak in Brisbane’s lively urban atmosphere, Queen Street Mall offers a dynamic and inclusive experience that reflects the true essence of the city.

    A Lively Treat for the Senses

    Queen Street Mall is more than just a shopping venue—it’s a diverse sensory experience. The atmosphere at Queen Street Mall is nothing short of electric. Visitors will be delighted by a variety of buskers and street musicians drawing small crowds with their performances. Their music combines with the chatter of enthusiastic shoppers to create a lively urban symphony, making your visit an immersive experience. The temporary exhibitions and pop-up events that regularly transform the mall into a bustling hive of activity add another level of excitement.

    The scents of freshly ground coffee and aromatic dishes from sidewalk cafes and restaurants tantalise the senses. The textured facades of historic buildings such as the ornate heritage-listed Brisbane Arcade contrast sharply with sleek, modern storefronts, setting old-world charm against contemporary design. Another heritage-listed building in the mall is the iconic Regent Theatre, which is home to the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre – an essential stop for all visitors to Brisbane to find information, make bookings and meet Brisbane’s Greeters.

    There’s so Much on Offer!

    Queen Street Mall holds a significant place in Brisbane’s history. In 2022, the mall celebrated its 40th anniversary since its transformation into a pedestrian utopia, marking decades of retail evolution and community engagement. Its storied past dates back even further to the founding of the Brisbane Arcade, Queensland’s oldest shopping destination, which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2024.

    Major shopping centres such as QueensPlaza, Wintergarden, MacArthur Central and Tattersall's Arcade, and the newly rechristened Uptown (formerly Myer Centre) offer a vast array of luxury and boutique shopping options. Here, stylish fashion hotspots like Aje and Zimmermann stand shoulder-to-shoulder with flagship international brands including Zara and Uniqlo.

    Beyond fashion, the mall is home to a treasure trove of speciality shops. From unique Australian gifts and products to gourmet food stores offering tempting local delicacies, there’s something for every discerning shopper. The grand Brisbane Arcade is home to locally made high-end fashion, jewellery and gift stores.

    Weekly live performances from City Sounds artists, often on a stage in front of Uptown, and local buskers add a dynamic auditory backdrop to your shopping and dining experiences. Opposite Uptown a nine-square-metre digital screen offers a constantly changing visual diversion. Every Wednesday a farmers market sets up next to the Brisbane Square Library in Reddacliff Place. These events bring the mall to life, inviting visitors not just to shop, but to truly engage with the culture and vibrancy of Brisbane.

    You can find out what’s happening in the Queen Street Mall by heading to the Visit Brisbane website and then clicking Places to Go and Brisbane City.

    In the Neighbourhood

    Surrounded by iconic landmarks, Queen Street Mall is perfectly positioned for further exploration. To the north, King George Square, with its grand architectural presence, and the towering facade of Brisbane City Hall provide a historically rich appeal – not to mention a place to rest, take in impromptu public performances or watch entertainment on the 37-square-metre high-definition screen in King George Square.

    The City Botanic Gardens offer a tranquil retreat from the urban hustle, and offer a perfect opportunity for leisurely strolls along accessible pathways. The gardens are also home to an all-abilities playground. Just a short walk away, the new River Access Hub at the end of Alice Street provides panoramic views of the Brisbane River and a serene spot to relax and reflect.

    The nearby Riverside Centre and Howard Smith Wharves bustle with a medley of dining options that serve everything from fresh seafood to mouth-watering international cuisines, ensuring your sensory journey extends well beyond the mall itself.

    Brisbane Greeters and the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre

    Brisbane Greeters, a cohort of passionate locals, embody the warmth and friendliness that Brisbane is known for, and can add a rich narrative layer to your visit. These volunteers have offered bespoke tours since 2012, entertaining and informing visitors with captivating tales from Brisbane’s days as a penal colony, the history of ANZAC Square, and the transformation of key historical sites. With the flexibility to customise tours to meet the needs of all guests, including people who are blind or have low vision, Brisbane Greeters ensure everyone can connect deeply with the city’s heritage. Book at least a day ahead to avoid disappointment. Find Brisbane Greeters at the Brisbane Visitor Information and Booking Centre, located in the heritage-listed Regent Theatre near the centre of the Queen Street Mall. 

    The award-winning centre is staffed by knowledgeable local ambassadors who have undergone training through the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower Scheme. They offer free booking services and itinerary planning assistance, as well as inspiration on where to eat, stay and play during your visit. Here, you can pick up complimentary brochures, guides and a mobility map showing features such as accessible toilets, seating, disability parking spots, taxi ranks, drop-off zones and path gradients. If you are blind or have low vision and would like support to navigate the city centre or to obtain a hard copy of the map, please contact Council’s Access and Inclusion team by calling 07 3403 8888.

    Accessibility

    Queen Street Mall is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all visitors. Most areas within the mall are wheelchair accessible, with smooth, barrier-free paths and gentle slopes. Upgrades to Edward Street now offer step-free access, providing seamless mobility from Central Station to the heart of the mall. A small minority of older buildings have a step at the entrance.

    Both sides of the mall are equipped with a braille trail to assist blind and low-vision visitors, with six cross-over trails between the two main trails. The trail also runs through Reddacliff Place, at the river end of the Queen Street Mall, and through King George Square between Adelaide and Ann Streets, connecting to the main entrance of City Hall and both entrances of the King George Square Bus station. Audio-tactile crossings and tactile street signs ensure safe and straightforward navigation throughout the mall for people with low or no vision. Placed on pedestrian crossing signal poles, these brightly coloured signs have yellow raised letters on a blue background, spelling out the name and building numbers of the relevant street, with the same information also inscribed in braille. The signs are placed vertically on the pole just above the signalised button that you press to cross the road. They can be found by listening for the ‘beep’ of the audio crossing signal. 

    Queen Street Mall welcomes service dogs, with nearby grassy areas such as Post Office Square providing suitable places for toileting. The Brisbane City Mobility Centre, located at City Hall, offers free loans of mobility devices, wheeled walkers and single prams, ensuring that everyone can explore the city comfortably. To make a booking or for more information phone 07 3014 4702. Brisbane Square Library has wheelchair-charging points, meeting rooms with hearing loops and computers with on-screen keyboards, narrator and magnifier. 

    Accessible public toilets are located near Hungry Jacks on Albert Street, Central Station and King George Square, with more available within all major shopping centres. A Changing Places toilet – that is, an accessible adult change facility – is located in City Hall. Accessible toilets in the nearby Botanic Gardens require an MLAK key to access.

    Public transport accessibility is excellent, with numerous bus stops and Central Station nearby, making it convenient for all. A taxi rank is located in George Street, just past the top of the Queen Street Mall, and there are several drop-off zones or private or ride-share vehicles within a short walking distance.

Queen Street Mall Accessibility Information

Queen Street Mall is committed to creating an inclusive and accessible environment for all visitors. Most areas within the mall are wheelchair accessible, with smooth, barrier-free paths and gentle slopes. Upgrades to Edward Street now offer step-free access, providing seamless mobility from Central Station to the heart of the mall. A small minority of older buildings have a step at the entrance.

Both sides of the mall are equipped with a braille trail to assist blind and low-vision visitors, with six cross-over trails between the two main trails. The trail also runs through Reddacliff Place, at the river end of the Queen Street Mall, and through King George Square between Adelaide and Ann Streets, connecting to the main entrance of City Hall and both entrances of the King George Square Bus station. Audio-tactile crossings and tactile street signs ensure safe and straightforward navigation throughout the mall for people with low or no vision. Placed on pedestrian crossing signal poles, these brightly coloured signs have yellow raised letters on a blue background, spelling out the name and building numbers of the relevant street, with the same information also inscribed in braille. The signs are placed vertically on the pole just above the signalised button that you press to cross the road. They can be found by listening for the ‘beep’ of the audio crossing signal. 

Queen Street Mall welcomes service dogs, with nearby grassy areas such as Post Office Square providing suitable places for toileting. The Brisbane City Mobility Centre, located at City Hall, offers free loans of mobility devices, wheeled walkers and single prams, ensuring that everyone can explore the city comfortably. To make a booking or for more information phone 07 3014 4702. Brisbane Square Library has wheelchair-charging points, meeting rooms with hearing loops and computers with on-screen keyboards, narrator and magnifier. 

Accessible public toilets are located near Hungry Jacks on Albert Street, Central Station and King George Square, with more available within all major shopping centres. A Changing Places toilet – that is, an accessible adult change facility – is located in City Hall. Accessible toilets in the nearby Botanic Gardens require an MLAK key to access.

Public transport accessibility is excellent, with numerous bus stops and Central Station nearby, making it convenient for all. A taxi rank is located in George Street, just past the top of the Queen Street Mall, and there are several drop-off zones or private or ride-share vehicles within a short walking distance.

Created with Brisbane

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