Built in the 1860s,
Parliament House, home to the Queensland State Government, is situated at the corner of George and Alice Streets in the CBD, adjacent to the City Botanic Gardens. Visitors are able to enjoy free guided tours of Parliament House on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 2pm.
The tour starts at the luxurious main entrance of Parliament House on George Street which features a Minton tile floor and grand staircase. On either side of the grand staircase are painted windows, imported from England at the time of construction, and featuring images of the Royal Family.
The grand staircase leads to the business areas of Parliament House: the chambers and Members Reading Room. The Red Chamber, which until it was abolished in 1922 was home to the Legislative Council (upper house) features two Waterford Crystal Chandeliers and the red Monarch's chair, which Queen Victoria gave to Parliament House. Queen Victoria is the subject of a stained glass window situated between the Red Chamber and the Green Chamber.
Featured frequently on television and home to current members of parliament, the Green Chamber (Legislative Assembly) of Parliament House has furniture in a horseshoe shaped alignment with the ornately carved Speaker's Desk in the centre of the room.
Another feature of the Parliament House guided tour is the opportunity to view Parliament's symbol of authority, the Mace. Queensland's mace is over 1m long, weighs 7.7 kg and is gold-plated sterling silver featuring Queensland gems, including opals and sapphires. The Sergeant-At-Arms is responsible for
placing the Mace in the chamber when parliament is in session and the Parliament House tour features a display of the costumes worn by the Sergeant-At-Arms and the Speaker on ceremonial occasions.
Parliament House is accessible by all forms of public transport, with the City Loop bus stopping right outside. The
City Gardens Cafe, in the adjacent Brisbane Botanic Gardens is open from 8am to 4pm or a short walk across the Goodwill Bridge will take you to
South Bank Parklands and its tempting array of food choices.
Photograph of the Minton Tile Floor in the Foyer
Photograph of the grand staircase
Photograph of stained glass window featuring Queen Victoria
Photograph of the Legislative Assembly
Virtual Tour of Parliament House
