QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute

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.

General access, no bookings required 

QIMR Berghofer will be opened from 9am – 4pm on both Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 July.

Visitors will have a chance to: 

• Engage in a range of activities showcasing why Queensland is the skin cancer capital of Australia, and what they can do to reduce their risk.  
• Visit the Education Lab (open to all age groups – closed in shoes required) where they can see scientific equipment in action and get their gloves on for some hands-on experiments. 
• View the expansive Water Memory artwork by renowned First Nations artist, Judy Watson. 
• Take five in the Kids’ Corner where younger visitors can ‘Make a Microbe’ to take home. 

Working lab tours – pre-booked only: BOOKED OUT

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 hourly between 10am – 3pm on Saturday 15 July and between 10am – 2pm on Sunday 16 July. Guests joining lab tours will be required to sign in with photo ID at QIMR Berghofer reception on Level 2 of the Central Building.

QIMR LAB TOURS are now BOOKED OUT, please refer above for general access details.

FREE MUSICAL PERFORMANCE 16 JULY: Craigslea State High School String Quartet (foyer of QIMR Berghofer building) 3 – 4pm