The Lifeline Bookfest is on again, with volunteers ready to welcome the crowds of bookworms that will soon descend upon the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The Lifeline Bookfest is a popular, second-hand book sale held regularly at locations throughout Queensland to raise money for Lifelineโs charity work.
The Brisbane event is the biggest, boasting more than 4 kilometres of tables holding up to 22 semi-trailer loads of books, magazine, comics, records, stationery, puzzles, DVDs, board games and even sheet music!
Everything you need to know about the Lifeline Bookfest
We believe everyone should attend at least one Lifeline Bookfest in their lifetime. It is a fun, free and rewarding experience, where you never know what you will find. A classic, a new fave or perhaps a special book you have been searching for for ages. So, mark your calendars and head to the Lifeline Bookfest.
The next Lifeline Bookfest details are as follows:
When: Saturday 27th June to Sunday 5th July 2026
Where: Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane
Entry: Free
Books range in price, but many are as little as $2.50 each. There are LOTS of books for children, so be sure to take your Brisbane Kids along and help foster a love of reading. The books and other wares are divided into the following categories:
- Art and music
- Australiana
- Biography
- CDs
- Childrenโs books
- Comics
- Cooking
- DVDs
- Family
- Foreign Language
- Games and puzzles
- Hardback fiction
- Health
- History
- Humour
- New age
- Lifestyle
- Literature and classics
- Magazines
- Paperback fiction
- Rare and collectables
- Records
- Reference
- Religion
- Science fiction
- Science and politics
- Sports
- Stationery
- Textbooks
- Travel
- True crime
- War and vehicles
- Young Adult
What are the funds raised used for?
All the funds raised will go towards the good work of Lifeline, specifically their Crisis Support Line, which offers potentially life-saving support to people who are suicidal or in crisis, 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
As well as contributing to a good cause, the Lifeline Bookfest event saves tons of books from ending up in landfill, so you can feel good about doing your bit for the environment!
You may even snag a rare or valuable book or a much-loved classic from your childhood. There is a book to suit every age, interest, taste and budget!
Tips for tackling the book fair with kids
With so many books and other pre-loved items on offer, it can be difficult to know where to start! Here are our tips to make your visit as enjoyable as possible:
- Feed the kids (and yourself) before you enter.
- Hire a trolley to avoid lugging heavy books around.
- BYO bags to carry your books home in. Backpacks work well too.
- EFTPOS and ATMs are available,
- BYO hand sanitiser and wipes to freshen up dirty hands (you would be surprised how yuck your hands feel after touching all the books)
- Food and drinks will be sold at the event.
Getting to the Lifeline Bookfest
Lifeline Bookfest is located at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, on the corner of Merivale Street and Glenelg Street in South Brisbane.
The event can be easily reached by catching a train to the South Brisbane Railway Station, a bus to the Cultural Centre Station or a ferry to the South Bank terminal. It is then a short walk to the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.
Alternatively, you can drive and park at the venue (parking fees apply) or park in the surrounding streets or other public car parks. If you choose to drive and park, booking your parking spot online before you go can save a lot of money. There is also a taxi rank located directly outside the venue.
Can’t make the Brisbane event? Other Lifeline Bookfests are held in Ipswich, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Maryborough, Bundaberg, Mackay and Rockhampton.
Can I donate books to the Lifeline Bookfest?
Yes! Simply donate your pre-loved books throughout the year at any Lifeline Shop or by depositing books into a Lifeline donation bin.
For more information, or to check out a map of the Brisbane Bookfest to help plan your day, visit the Bookfest website.ย
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