Brickman® Wonders of the World Exhibition review

As a LEGO^® loving family, we were super excited to attend a special preview of Brickman Wonders of the World.

With over 50 individual LEGO builds on display, with areas dedicated to Ancient Wonders of the World, the Americas, Europe, Asia, Transport and Technology and the Great Barrier Reef, there is bound to be something to suit everyone’s taste.

For those that like to learn about what goes on behind the scenes and discover some hidden gems, be sure to stop by the theatrette and listen to Brickman talk about some of the displays (he even tells you about secret hidden figures to find in some of the displays).

Hands-On Activities

There are several opportunities for the kids to get hands-on by using Duplo or LEGO to construct their own displays, make a LEGO vehicle to speed down the mini racetrack or decorate a base plate with LEGO to display on the dedicated wall in the exhibition.

Our Favourites

Our whole family were truly amazed by the skill displayed in building these masterpieces, as well as the detail and storytelling included in each build.  For me, my absolute favourite was St Basil’s the Blessed Church. The scale of the build, the colours and details were phenomenal, though the Mona Lisa portrait was a close second.

Miss 6 adored the bright colours and hanging sea creatures in the Great Barrier Reef display while Mr 8 loved the Blue Volkswagen Beetle, which rotates while on display.

Hidden Elements

The beauty of these Lego masterpieces is the attention to detail, the storytelling elements and the hidden gems which have been cleverly incorporated to enhance each build. As you move throughout the exhibition, make sure you look at the front, back and sides of each display, as there is always something new to discover.

A LEGO minifigure ‘backpack guy’ is hidden throughout many of the exhibits – how many can you find? HINT: One of the obvious one’s can be found on the Statue of David.

Star Wars fans – now is your time to shine – there are several Star Wars minifigures hidden in the displays. Can you spot any?

A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle minifigure can also be seen popping up out of the ground in one build – will you be able to work out which one?

The Verdict

Overall, visiting Brickman Wonders of the World exhibition at the Queensland Museum was a marvellous experience, where you could spend many hours checking out the detailed LEGO masterpieces. It is also a fantastic opportunity to start conversations with children about the origins and stories behind the displays.

Each build is accompanied by a fact sheet, which details how many pieces were used, designer and builder notes, as well as historic facts. It’s the perfect way for adults to brush up on their history and for the young ones to learn something new (without actually realising they are ‘learning’).

Fast Facts

• Over five million LEGO bricks, weighing more than seven tonnes, were used to build over 50 displays for the exhibition.
• The Brickman (Ryan McNaught) and his team took more than 4,922 hours (205 days) to build the displays.
• St Basil the Blessed Church took over 320 hours to build.
• The Titanic display weighs over 120 kilograms.
• The Space Shuttle, located near the entrance of the exhibit, was featured in LEGO Masters Australia and is the tallest (4m), heaviest and most time consuming (775 hours) build in the display.

Things to Consider

• Entry to the Queensland Museum is free, though you must have a paid ticket to enter the Brickman Wonders of the World exhibition.
• A lot of time and effort has gone into building the LEGO masterpieces, so be respectful and obey the signs asking you not to touch.
• There is no eating or drinking allowed in the exhibit hall, so make sure your children have had something to eat before you head in.
• The exhibition area is broken up into separate areas, and is quite dark, making visibility a bit tricky, so keep a close eye on your children at all times, especially at peak times when it is busy.
• Hand sanitiser is located throughout the exhibition for all to use, but as always, if you are unwell, please stay home.

Accessibility

Queensland Museum welcomes all visitors.  The exhibition is upstairs, though there is a lift, escalators, and stairs available to access the area.. The displays are spaced out, so there is room available to manoeuvre wheelchairs.

Tickets

Tickets start from just $12.50 (children 3-12 years) or $59 for a family ticket and can be purchased online at the Queensland Museum website.

The Brickman Wonders of the World exhibition is on now at the Queensland Museum in South Brisbane from the 18th of June to the 30th January 2022.