Future Rail Experience Centre FREE with Kids
Are you wondering what it is like inside the Future Rail Experience Centre?
We stumbled upon the Cross River Rail Experience Centre in Brisbane City (now named the Future Rail Experience Centre), and it is the perfect place to spend an hour or two with kids.
Not only is the Future Rail Experience Centre absolutely free, but our kids were entertained for more than 2 hours. I actually had to convince them to leave for lunch.
Though it looks small, there are so many fun and interactive things to do at the Future Rail Experience Centre.
We brought our kids (6 and 8), but the Future Rail Experience Centre is geared toward all ages. While the centre was quiet the first half of our visit, plenty of adults showed up to explore the past, present, and future of rail travel in South East Queensland.
Keep reading to find out what to expect at the Future River Rail Experience Centre.
Activities
Interactive Touch Screens
Interactive touch screens are on the wall and on the center tables at the Future Rail Experience Centre in Brisbane City.
The touch screens had information on the past, present, and future of each rail station. Exhibition (at the Show Grounds), Roma Street, Albert Street, Woolloongabba, and Dutton Road Stations were expected to be completed in 2025.
Reality Theatre
The theatre at the Future Rail Experience Centre is made up of 3 walls. There are a couple of rows of seating in the back.
A few different films are playing at the “Reality Theatre.” Learn about the beginning of the rail system in Brisbane, get an overview of the newest stations, and see the tunneling machine used to dig the tunnels.
Additional videos can be seen throughout the discovery centre, including in the Learning Room and the main room. While the Learning Room video is geared towards adults, there is a Lego-themed movie in the main room.
Virtual Reality
Four chairs line the back wall, and each has a set of Virtual Reality gear ready to put on. Brisbane takes over the screen, and viewers can walk through the city and look at the train stations.
Archeology Case
Explore items found while digging out train tunnels and see drilling samples at the archeology case display. Don’t forget to open the drawer to see even more found items.
Maker Space
A variety of crafts are available to create in the maker space at the Future Rail Experience Centre.
Kids can color, build, and design a variety of objects.
Supplies are always out at the seats and tables in the maker space. Additional projects for kids are held at a larger table on the weekends.
Special Events
Free events are held every Saturday and Sunday at the Future Rail Experience Centre. The activities are for kids, and most are drop-ins and don’t require a booking.
Special events at the Future Rail Experience Center range from Lego Challenges to Building a Bridge to Coding Workshops. Find out the schedule and more information here.
Scavenger Hunt
The Science of Tunneling Challenge at the Future Rail Experience Center is basically a scavenger hunt. Start at the front desk and receive a booklet of 8 clues to look for.
The answers are scattered throughout the exhibit. Some of the answers are also in the movie. While it took them a long time, our kids were able to complete the challenge almost entirely on their own.
We didn’t realize there would be a prize, but each kid received a Cross River Rail bag filled with 2 buildable projects, stickers, and a plastic hat.
More Free Things to Do with Kids in Brisbane
- 24 Free Things to Do in Brisbane with Kids
- Free Guided Tours in Brisbane
- Children’s Art Centre
- Museum of Brisbane and the Clock Tower Tour
- The Cube at QUT
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