Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology

21/10/2026

Did you know you can take a virtual tour of the museum rain, hail or shine? Check it out here... https://abbeymuseum.com.au/virtual-tour/

21/10/2026

Do you think you can escape the plague? Find out at our next event:
https://abbeymuseum.com.au/event/abbey-after-dark-black-death/

Imagine a pandemic where 40 to 60% of the population succumbs to disease. This staggering mortality rate was a reality for fourteenth-century witnesses of the Black Death across Europe, Asia and Africa.

While the Black Death is one of the most infamous episodes of medieval history, it remains steeped in myth and misconception.

Drawing on the most recent scholarly breakthroughs, this talk asks some of the big questions: what disease was the Black Death? Where did it come from? How did medieval observers make sense of the catastrophe, and how did they try to save themselves? Finally, we will explore the impact of such mass mortality as revealed by the haunting funerary monuments and art of the late medieval period.

Bio - Beth Spacey is a Lecturer in Medieval History at the University of Queensland. She has published on the crusades, heresy and the supernatural, and teaches courses on the medieval Mediterranean, plague, and witchcraft.

15/09/2026

Tickets for A Regency Ball at Abbey are ON SALE NOW.
Only 100 tickets available so don't delay!
Saturday 26th September
6pm - 9pm

Purchase tickets here:
https://www.ticketebo.com.au/abbey-museum-art-archaeology/a-regency-ball-at-the-abbey

08/09/2026

School holidays are just around the corner, and Kids Dig It! Ancient Egypt is returning for three days only, from 21–23 September!

Designed for young explorers aged 5–12, kids can:

•Try their hand at archery
•Uncover Egyptian artefacts in an archaeological dig
•Create Egyptian-inspired artworks
•Discover the fascinating process of mummification in an interactive presentation
•Enjoy crafts, games and quizzes throughout the Museum

Sessions are limited and often fill quickly, so book early to secure your place!
The Abbey Cafe will be open daily with delicious options for all ages.

Enjoy a family day out or try something new at the Abbey Museum as we celebrate 40 years of the Museum this September.

Details or to book visit:
https://abbeymuseum.com.au/event/kids-dig-it-ancient-egypt-family-fun-week/

04/09/2026

Tickets for A Regency Ball at Abbey are ON SALE NOW.
Only 100 tickets available so don't delay!
Saturday 26th September
6pm - 9pm
https://www.ticketebo.com.au/abbey-museum-art-archaeology/a-regency-ball-at-the-abbey

03/09/2026

Tickets on sale tomorrow!

You’re invited to step into the Regency era for a very special evening of music and dance!

As part of the Abbey Museum of Art and Archaeology's 40th anniversary celebrations, we’re hosting A Regency Ball at Abbey on Saturday evening during the Abbey History Festival weekend.

Presented in partnership with Dance Kaleidoscope QLD this separately ticketed event begins at 6pm and includes more than two hours of dancing and a light repast.

Tickets go on sale Friday 4 September at 10am.
Prices $37.50 + Booking Fee

Find out more:
https://abbeymuseum.com.au/event/a-regency-ball-at-abbey/

02/09/2026

Spring is here, and warmer days are on the way! ☀️🍨

Cool down with a visit to the Abbey Café this September.

Treat yourself to a delicious banana split*, complete with sprinkles for the young at heart, or satisfy your sweet tooth with an ice cream cup topped with your choice of flavoured syrup and chocolate fingers.

We’ll be serving up sweet treats throughout Spring and during the September School Holidays.

Abbey Café
Open Monday to Saturday
10am–2pm

*Bananas subject to availability

28/08/2026

Put on your Dancing Shoes at the Abbey History Festival 🕺💃

The Abbeystowe Dance Hall returns with toe-tapping workshops from across history and around the world.

From Maypole Dancing to Regency-style dances, join in the Japanese Awa Odori or learn a medieval jig.

Whatever your rhythm (or even if you have two left feet), kick up your heels, join in and dance your way through history this September 26–27!

Tickets on sale now. 🎟️
https://abbeystowe.com/history-festival/

21/08/2026

Congratulations to Edith Cuffe OAM for being named a finalist in this years’ Museums & Galleries Queensland GAMAA awards.

The awards recognise excellence across Queensland’s gallery and museum sector, and Edith’s 40 years of commitment to the Abbey make this a wonderful opportunity to celebrate both her contribution and the journey of the Abbey.

For four decades, Edith has believed in what the Abbey could become, through the exciting periods of growth and the difficult years when keeping that vision moving forward required enormous persistence and sacrifice.

Together with Michael Strong and the wonderful community around the Abbey, that belief has shaped an enduring vision for the Museum, growing and sharing its remarkable collection, taking history beyond its walls through Archaeology on the Move, which laid the foundations for the education programs we are so proud of today, and helping establish the Abbey Medieval Festival 35 years ago, beginning a tradition that has continued to grow and evolve into the extraordinary event it is today.

Congratulations, Edith! Thank you for continuing to believe in what the Abbey can be.

⭐ Museums & Galleries Queensland is delighted to announce the finalists for the 2026 Gallery and Museum Achievement Awards (GAMAA) ⭐

The winners will be revealed at a special awards ceremony hosted by Ipswich Art Gallery in October.

We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who submitted a nomination this year. The breadth and quality of nominations received reflect the outstanding work being undertaken across Queensland's gallery and museum sector.

Our congratulations to all of this year’s finalists. We look forward to celebrating your achievements in October!

See the full list of finalists here:
https://magsq.com.au/gallery-and-museum-achievement-awards/







australia

Australian Museums and Galleries Association Queensland

Public Galleries Queensland

21/08/2026

A PopUp Museum has arrived at the Abbey!

We’re delighted to be hosting a fascinating exhibition from the PopUp Museum Project, created by members of Historia, a not-for-profit living history group.

Featuring objects loaned from private collections, this temporary exhibition explores arms, armour and warfare across different cultures and periods, from Iron Age bronze, Renaissance weaponry and Indian arms.

Keep an eye out for some particularly interesting pieces, including a 16th-century wheellock pistol, an impressive Zweihander sword, and 3000yr old jewelry.

The Popup Museum Project brings objects that might otherwise remain in private collections into public view, creating new opportunities to explore history through real objects and their stories.

Now on display at the Abbey Museum — make sure you have a look on your next visit!