This weekend Brisbane hosted the annual Brisbane Open House event which is one of the city's best free architecture and design events. It's a city-wide event that opens the doors to architecturally, historically and culturally significant buildings that are often not normally accessible to the public.
The event runs Saturday the 18th of July and Sunday the 19th of July 2026.
Most activities are free, though many guided tours require advance bookings because places are limited.
This year's program is one of the largest yet, featuring:
93 buildings and spaces
More than 30 first-time participants
A record 16 private homes
Brisbane airport, who turned 100 in April 2025, wanted to join in the festivities and show off the new aircraft viewing area called Fellowship Place.
Generations have watched aircraft arrive carrying dreams, reunions and new beginnings. For just over one hundred years, Brisbane Airport has been more than a gateway—it has been a place where stories begin. It's a place where the real love on display, in the emotional goodbyes or the screaming, crying, long hugging hello's.
Its centenary is a celebration of countless journeys. From the earliest pioneers of aviation to today's travelers connecting Queensland with the world. The opening of Fellowship Place adds a new chapter to that story. It is more than a space; it is a reminder that airports are about people as much as planes.
Yesterday, my family and I proudly joined the celebrations at Brisbane Airport. After getting our tickets checked and given a bingo card form (where we had to look out for items on the bingo card), we boarded the 10:30 a.m. bus and were taken to the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Memorial, where we had a quick 10-minute stopover viewing the famous Southern Cross.
From there, we hopped back on the bus for a short 5-minute ride to Fellowship Place, which had been closed to the public yesterday but officially opens today. When we arrived, we saw a large display by the Royal Flying Doctor Service. You could step inside a makeshift aircraft, check out the beds and equipment, and really get a sense of the incredible work they do. There was a barista there offering free coffee, biscuits shaped like planes and a chocolate wheel where you could spin and win prizes.
But the centerpiece of the attraction was the new, improved viewing deck with a real Fokker 100 tail.
The area has an elevated viewing platform offering closer, less obstructed views of aircraft landing, taking off and taxiing past. It has shaded seating and accessible pathways, making it comfortable for visitors of all ages and is wheelchair friendly.
The highlight of the site is the authentic Fokker F28 Fellowship aircraft tail, carefully preserved as its centerpiece. This impressive feature was generously donated by Aviation Australia.
Thanks to the Royal Flying Doctors for putting on such a wonderful display and giving us a deeper insight into the amazing work you do. A big shoutout as well to Brisbane Airport for providing not just the aviation enthusiasts with a fantastic platform to capture great shots, but also a fantastic place for families of all ages to enjoy for many years to come.
This is what the old viewing deck looked like.
Please check back in tomorrow to view the aircraft photos we took that day.
