Since 1945, the Queensland Institute of Medical Research, now QIMR Berghofer, has worked to improve the lives of people locally, and across the globe – driving better health outcomes through impactful medical research.
Today, QIMR Berghofer is a prominent feature in the Brisbane skyline, with the institute’s state-of-the-art facilities being housed across three buildings – The Bancroft Centre, The Clive Berghofer Cancer Research Centre and the Central Building – on Herston Road. However, the institute had far more humble beginnings, originally operating from a decommissioned WWII US Army hut situated at Victoria Park/Barrambin.
Even in those early years, QIMR Berghofer built an international reputation for making ground-breaking and transformative discoveries. The institute’s initial research focused heavily on the infectious diseases affecting Northern Australia at the time, including Q Fever, Scrub Typhus and Malaria. Today, QIMR Berghofer houses four vibrant research programs – Cancer, Infection & Inflammation, Mental Health & Neuroscience, and Population Health – focusing on the health challenges.
Visitors will have a chance to:
View the special display of QIMR Berghofer’s 80-year history.
View the Water Memory artwork by renowned First Nations artist, Judy Watson.
Education Lab
Our Education Lab(open to all age groups – closed in shoes required, age under 15 with adult guardian ) where they can see scientific equipment in action and get their gloves on for some hands-on experiments.
Working lab tours – pre-booked only
Visitors to QIMR Berghofer will have the opportunity to join laboratory tours led by scientists, where they’ll see a working lab in action and hear about the latest research and most exciting breakthroughs. These tours are strictly limited and must be pre-booked. Visitors to labs must be aged 16 or over and each attendee must individually register.
Lab tours will operate at 10am, 11am, 1pm and 2pm. Guests joining lab tours will be required to sign in with photo ID at QIMR Berghofer reception on Level 2 of the Central Building.
For general access, no bookings required
Tour Information
Frequency of Guided Tours: 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm
Tour Tips
Register at the building on arrival, All visitors must wear enclosed, comfortable shoes. All visitors to the lab must be registered and aged 16 or over. No booking required for the Education Lab.
Additional Activities
Children's Activities, Science laboratory open for visiting
Dress Requirements
Enclosed shoes
Wheelchair access
Yes
Awards
Recent Architectural or Engineering Awards: 2013 Premier’s Awards for Excellence in Public Service Delivery – TRI & BPA awarded Highly Commended for Growing and developing Queensland’s future 2013 AIA National Architecture Award Public Architecture 2013 AIA National Architecture Award Interior Architecture 2013 AIA FDG Stanley Award for Public Architecture 2013 AIA GHM Addison Award for Interior Architecture 2013 AIA QLD State Commendation for Sustainable Architecture Shortlist for 2013 World Architecture Festival, Higher Education category 2013 IDEA (Interior Design Excellence Awards), Highly Commended Public Space 2013 Horbury Hunt Think Brick Award for Urban Design & Landscape 2013 Australian Interior Design Awards: Best of State QLD Commercial Design 2013 Australian Interior Design Awards: Highly Commended Pubic Design 2013 Australian Timber Design Awards, Best Northern Region (Qld & NT) 2013 AIQS Infinite Value Awards - Architectural Excellence Award 2013 AIQS Infinite Value Awards - Project of the Year Award 2013 Engineering Excellence Award QLD Winner, Building Services (awarded to Aurecon, Multitech Solutions, Opus, Hawkins Jenkins Ross) 2013 IES Qld Lighting Society Award for Excellence 2013 AIA John Dalton Award for Building of the Year 2013 AIA Brisbane Regional Commendation Public Architecture 2013 AIA Brisbane Regional Commendation Interior Architecture 2013 AIA Brisbane Regional Commendation Sustainable Architecture