Not all venues are created equal
At QPAC’s Cremorne Theatre for Preparing Ground
Come with me as I explore the accessibility of the venues that I have attended during the Brisbane Festival.
Some background. I identify as a person with a disability. I sustained my spinal cord injury in 1997 and have been using a mobility device for twenty-eight years. I own a manual wheelchair and also a mobility scooter. Being such a passionate lover of all things arts related as well as being a keen theatre attendee, I use either one of my mobility devices at venues depending on my mode of transport.
The Cremorne Theatre, Queensland Performing Arts Complex (QPAC)
Originally established in 1911 on the site of the Queensland Art Gallery until it was gutted by fire, the modern Cremorne Theatre was reconfigured in 1987 as part of QPAC. The Cremorne has a stunning aspect overlooking the Brisbane River and the immediate South Bank parklands. I’ve been a loyal theatre attendee at The Cremorne and have many wonderful memories of the outstanding productions held here, the most recent of which being Preparing Ground by BlakDance.
Directions to the lifts in QPAC’s carpark
Entrance: A lift in the carpark will take you directly to the main foyer on Level two. From street level, an upgraded, wide ramp will lead to the ground floor box office area from where you will have to take a lift to the main foyer (level two).
Bathroom facilities: The toilets on level two are not accessible for patrons who use a mobility device. However the door is wide enough to accommodate a small sized wheelchair and has one ambulatory toilet. There are no grab rails in this ambulatory toilet to assist with transfers. An accessible toilet complete with grab rails on the left, can be found on level three which can be accessed via a lift. The door leading to the accessible bathroom is a non-automatic one.
Layout of venue: The plush carpet in the main foyer is challenging to traverse in a manual wheelchair due to its thick pile. The entry to the theatre has a very slight incline and is easy to navigate.
Seating in venue: Patrons have the choice of either transferring into a seat or to remain seated in their mobility device. The seat will be removed to accommodate this request.
Where to park your mobility device: Front-of-house will store a patron’s wheelchair safely if they decide to transfer to a seat.
Pre-booking: I always call ahead to discuss this matter as my preference is to always transfer to a seat.
Further accessibility information about QPAC can be found here.
Attending Pasifika Made at Brisbane Powerhouse.
According to the New Farm and Districts Society, the Powerhouse is a former industrial power station that was built in the 1920s. In 2000 it was redeveloped and repurposed into a magnificent arts and cultural precinct that nestles serenely beside the Brisbane River. The original facade and most of the interior has maintained remnants of the bygone days when the Powerhouse operated solely as a power station. There are two theatres plus an open stage area, The Turbine Platform, within the complex. The Powerhouse Theatre is on level 1 and is the main theatre and the larger of the two. The smaller Underground Theatre can be found on the ground level. I have attended many theatre performances, exhibitions, creative launches, markets and festivals at this iconic venue. Most recently was Pasifika Made, a visual tribute to artists and communities from across the colourful Pacific diaspora which was held across several spaces within the Powerhouse’s cultural precinct.
Entrance: Patrons with a disability can choose to either park in a designated, paid carpark or in one of the free disabled parking bays inside New Farm Park. The former has a lift and a short, flat walkway to access the main entrance on level one while the latter has predominantly flat gravelled terrain to navigate from New Farm Park. There is an incline leading from New Farm Park which requires some effort to access the main entrance.
Bathroom facilities: There are accessible toilets with wide doorways on both levels. The ground floor toilets can be accessed via a lift if coming from level one. Both toilets have grab rails and are shared facilities ie. double up as infant change rooms.
Layout of venue: Flat surfaces throughout make for ease and comfort when navigating this space. A narrow, inclined ramp allows access to The Turbine Platform. This could be problematic for wider mobility devices.
Seating in venues: Powerhouse Theatre has designated accessible seating from doors one and two on level one. The Underground Theatre has accessible seating in the first row. Seats are removable if patrons wish to remain in their mobility device.
Where to park your mobility device: Mobility devices will be stored safely if a patron prefers to transfer to a seat.
Pre-booking: It is advised to call ahead to discuss your specific mobility requests.
Further accessibility information about Brisbane Powerhouse can be found here.
Touted as ‘Brisbane’s newest entertainment and lifestyle precinct’, The Landing at this latest CBD upgrade was a colourful addition to this year’s Brisbane Festival. On the night that I attended Baleen Moondjan, the latest choreographic offering from Stephen Page, The Landing had been transformed into an inviting open air tiered theatre complete with an impressive floating stage.
Entrance: For this performance I opted to use my mobility scooter as I used the CityCat to get to the venue. I alighted at North Quay from where The Landing was in close proximity via a dedicated foot path. I avoided the bicycle route for safety reasons. The open air theatre could be accessed via an inclining, clearly marked ramp.
Bathroom facilities: Accessible toilets with wide doorways were nearby. The door was wide enough to accommodate my large mobility device. In this particular instance, grab rails were on the left and the space was wide enough for me to manoeuvre around inside with my motorised scooter. My companion was on hand to assist me to enter/exit as I needed help to get the door open.
Layout of venue: Relatively flat terrain led to the open air theatre with paved surfaces along the way.
Seating: The outdoor theatre offered tiered seating with the first row designated for people with mobility issues. I was located two rows up. With the help of my companion, I managed to mobilise to my seat.
Where to park your mobility device: My mobility scooter was parked in a safe area within a short distance from my seat.
Pre-booking: I called ahead to discuss my specific mobility requests as I had never visited The Landing before.
Some limited accessibility information for Queen’s Wharf can be found here.
Two theatres and a beloved courtyard renamed Milmerriba — a First Nations name meaning an outstanding place — welcome patrons to this intimate space. In conjunction with this year’s Brisbane Festival, the 10th iteration of the Undercover Artist Festival was held across both theatres, the Diane Cilento and the Bille Brown theatres — the former being the smaller of the two. I was privileged to attend four disability led performances of which I review two, Icons Alive! and Daydreamer.
Buttons for hte automatic door in the QTC bathroom
Entrance/parking: The only entrance has glass sliding doors and can be accessed via a flat, gravel pathway. All facilities are located on the ground floor. Depending on the time of a performance, disabled parking bays can be found within a nearby carpark. There are also drop off and pick up zones for taxis/transport providers.
Bathroom facilities: One accessible toilet with a wide doorway and an automatic door is on site. Grab rails were on the left and the space was wide enough for me to manoeuvre my wheelchair.
Layout of venue: Flat surfaces throughout the venue with a slightly inclined ramp leading between the theatres and bathrooms. Both theatres are easy to access.
Seating: The front rows in both theatres provide accessible seating. The Bille Brown Theatre also offers accessible seating on level one which can be accessed by a lift.
Where to park your mobility device: Front-of-house stored my wheelchair in a safe place once I had transferred to my seat.
Pre-booking: My editor organised my seats for me and my companion, but do call ahead if you wish to discuss your particular mobility requirements.
Further accessibility information about Queensland Theatre Company can be found here.
Overall, my specific accessibility/mobility needs were met across almost all of the venues that I attended. However, the newer ones are more suitably designed for people who use mobility devices. In my opinion, Queensland Theatre came up tops — the automatic doors at the entrance and at the accessible bathroom are a winner!
More importantly, Brisbane Festival’s Accessibility Guide 2025 was an invaluable reference tool overflowing with a wealth of information for people with a disability. Kudos to Brisbane Festival on their inclusive design and layout.
Note: Companion card holders are exempted from paying for a companion so make sure that you inform the ticket provider if you’ll be having a companion accompany you. The companion will have a designated seat while the patron with a disability can choose to transfer to a seat or remain in their mobility device in which case the seat will need to be removed prior to attending a particular performance.
Attending the Undercover Artist Festival at Queensland Theatre, South Brisbane
