Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Arts: Brisbane & Beyond
Following the fall of the National Party in the 1990s, the new Labor government did much
to stimulate and encourage artistic and cultural development. Brisbane in particular has ex-
perienced a cultural renaissance with the building of world-class art museums and exhibi-
tion spaces. Home to one of Australia's biggest arts festivals - the Brisbane Festival in
September - it's also a town where you can get your artistic rocks off every night of the
week: live music, theatre, opera, art-house and international cinema and poetry readings are
all accessible and affordable.
Outside of the capital, you'll find simmering arts scenes in Cairns and Townsville, both
of which have a mix of galleries and cultural centres that showcase the best of north
Queensland and beyond. Cairns also has a lively arts and culture festival to rival Bris-
bane's, though on a smaller scale - the Cairns Festival in August.
The Aboriginal art scene in Queensland is quite vibrant, though you have to know where
to look. The state has some captivating rock-art sites, where you can connect to ancient art
traditions dating back tens of thousands of years. You can also encounter fine works by liv-
ing Aboriginal artists at galleries scattered around the state, though Brisbane is still the best
place to begin the cultural journey.
ROCK 'N' ROLL BRISBANE
It's a long way from Hollywood Blvd, but Fortitude Valley has its very own (comparatively modest)
Valley Walk
of Fame
honouring the city's most successful musicians. At the top end of Brunswick St Mall are 10 plaques cel-
ebrating artists that have called Brisbane home (at least for their formative years): the pre-Saturday Night Fever
Bee Gees
; punk legends
The Saints
; New Zealand-born, but Queensland-raised
Keith Urban
; and 15-time ARIA
award-winning rockers
Powderfinger
, just to name a few. Nineties electro-rockers
Regurgitator
and indie band
Custard
also get a mention. Brisbane rocks!
