Australian "Open House" Events - Genealogy & History News

The Open House concept was founded in London in 1992, and continues to gain interest around the world, with more places joining in each year. Some officially, some unofficially. You can find the official list on the Open House Worldwide website.

‘Open House’ is a simple but powerful concept: the idea is to “showcase outstanding architecture for all to experience, completely for free. Open House initiatives invite everyone to explore and understand the value of a well-designed built environment.” These often include modern buildings as well as very old ones.

Held once a year, usually over a weekend, going to an Open House event allows you get to see up close, and behind the scenes, of many buildings that you aren’t normally allowed to go in.

Brisbane has been leading the way in Australia, having run a Brisbane Open House event since 2010, and Perth joined in 2012. But I’ve found a number of others in Australia are also being held, even though they’re not on the official Open House Worldwide website. So here’s a rundown of the Australian “Open House” events. Most are still coming, but a couple have past already, and a couple no longer run – but you never know, they may again in time.

QUEENSLAND

Open House Brisbane – 7-8 October 2017
Website: http://brisbaneopenhouse.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BrisbaneOpenHouse/
Twitter: @BrisOpenHouse
Instagram: @brisbaneopenhouse
Pinterest: @bneopenhouse

Open House Bundaberg – 30 September 2017
Website: http://bundabergregionevents.com.au/events/open-house-bundaberg-2017-0
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OpenHouseBundaberg/

Open House Cairns – this was held in October in 2016, but I can’t see it scheduled for 2017 at this stage
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cairnsopenhouse/

Open House Gold Coast – 4 November 2017
Website: http://goldcoastopenhouse.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gcopenhouse/
Twitter: @gcopenhouse
Instagram: @goldcoastopenhouse

Open House Maryborough – 23-24 September 2017
Website: http://www.ourfrasercoast.com.au/Open-House
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maryboroughopenhouseday/

Open House Toowoomba – 28 May 2017
Website: https://www.toowoombaopenhouse.com.au/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toowoombaopenhouse/
Twitter: @twmbaopenhouse
Instagram: @toowoombaopenhouse
YouTube: channel

SOUTH AUSTRALIA

Open House Adelaide – this has been held in conjunction with SA’s History Festival, but seems to have disappeared in the past few years, although there are always a number of “Open House” days held during the month-long event.