City Hall clock tower

The City Hall clock tower is the most iconic feature of the building and an important landmark and timekeeper for the city. The clock tower is open seven days a week from 10am to 5pm. Entry is free. Obtain a ticket in person on the day at the Museum of Brisbane reception counter on Level 3.

When City Hall first opened the clock tower was not open to the public. However, frequent requests by visitors to ride the lift up to the clock tower led to the clock tower being opened to the public. Visitors were charged six pence for adults and three pence for children to cover the cost of the lift operator.

Over the years, hundreds of thousands of visitors have taken a ride up to the clock tower. Whilst the view from the observation deck has changed significantly over the past 80 years, it is still a time honoured tradition.

The clock tower contributes to the cultural and architectural significance of City Hall. Interesting clock tower facts include:

• when the clock was built, it was the largest public clock and most modern time-keeping piece in Australia
• the clock face is almost five metres in diameter
• the minute hands of the clock are three metres long
• over 1,000 screws hold the white opal clock face in place
• the clock chimes are known as Westminster or Cambridge and consist of four bells weighing over three tonnes that chime every 15 minutes and a 4.3 tonne striking bell that marks the hour
• the clock tower is 92 metres high, with an observation platfrom at 76 metres
• the clock tower was the tallest structure in Brisbane until the 1960s and was fitted with a red beacon at its apex to warn aircraft of this location.

Find out how to take a trip up the City Hall clock tower.