Step back in time and uncover the human stories behind one of history’s greatest maritime tragedies at Titanic: The Human Story—an immersive exhibition that brings the past to life
The Brisbane Travel Guide acknowledges the Turrbal and Yuggera people, the Traditional Custodians of the land on which QPAC is situated. We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging, and recognise their continued spiritual and cultural connections to Country. Always was, always will be, Aboriginal land.
If you’ve been meaning to see the Titanic: The Human Story in Brisbane – now is your last chance as the exhibition is only on until 20 April!
Titanic: The Human Story offers a deeply moving, interactive journey through the personal experiences of those aboard the ill-fated ship. With authentic artifacts, recreated spaces, and firsthand accounts, this exhibition invites visitors to connect with history like never before.
From the grandeur of the first-class cabins to the struggles of third-class passengers, each display tells a tale of ambition, fate, and resilience. Walk through detailed reconstructions, see real relics recovered from the ocean floor, and immerse yourself in the emotional narratives that define the Titanic’s enduring legacy.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, a fan of the Titanic story, or simply looking for a thought-provoking experience, this exhibition offers a powerful glimpse into the human side of the legendary voyage.
But does Titanic: The Human Story truly capture the scale and emotion of this historic event? I visited to find out—here’s what I discovered.
This post may contain compensated links. Please refer to our disclaimer here for more information.
Overview of the Titanic: The Human Story Exhibition
To enhance your experience at Titanic: The Human Story, visitors receive an audio guide that leads them through the exhibition, offering insightful commentary at each stop. This immersive narration brings the history of the Titanic to life, guiding you through the key moments of its tragic journey.
The exhibition begins in haunting silence—an evocative reminder of the stillness that followed the Titanic’s descent beneath the ocean’s surface. This quiet introduction sets a sombre tone, preparing visitors for the deeply moving stories ahead.
From there, the scene shifts to the era just before the Titanic set sail, capturing the optimism and grandeur of the time.
As you progress through the exhibition, you’ll journey through a series of meticulously curated rooms that unravel the ship’s true story—from its ambitious construction and life on board to the pivotal moments leading up to its fateful sinking.
Along the way, personal stories from passengers and crew bring an intimate, human perspective to this legendary tragedy.
Highlights of the Titanic: The Human Story Exhibition
Let me briefly run you through the various rooms of the Titanic: The Human Story Exhibition.
The Life Jacket
“One thing stands out in my mind about it all – the quietness” – Arthur Rostron, Captain of the rescue ship Carpathia, 1931.
The Titanic: The Human Story exhibition makes an immediate impact, drawing visitors into its tragic history from the very first room. At the centre of the dimly lit space stands a simple yet haunting artifact—a life jacket recovered from the Titanic.
Its original owner remains unknown, yet its presence alone speaks volumes. Surrounded by an eerie silence, this solitary object is a powerful reminder of the immense loss and human tragedy that unfolded on that fateful night.
Old World New World
This room set the stage for life in 1912 when the “Old World” still held firm to its aristocratic traditions and rigid social hierarchies. However, change was on the horizon—social structures were shifting, new opportunities were emerging, and the Titanic itself symbolised both progress and the lingering divides of the era.
Design and Construction
The next rooms delve into the ambitious design and construction of the Titanic, as well as the other luxury liners being built by the White Star Line.
These ships were envisioned as the pinnacle of opulence, designed to rival the world’s finest hotels, combining cutting-edge engineering with unparalleled elegance.
Life Onboard the Titanic
The next section of the exhibition immerses you in life aboard the Titanic, offering a glimpse into the daily experiences of its passengers.
Life-size reconstructions bring the ship’s interiors to life, from the grandeur of a first-class suite to the simplicity of a third-class cabin, highlighting the stark differences in comfort and privilege.
Enhancing the experience, the exhibition displays around 200 original artifacts and personal belongings from passengers and crew, each item telling a deeply personal story and offering a tangible connection to those who lived—and perished—onboard.
Events of 14 April 1912
The next section of the exhibition takes you through the fateful night of April 14, 1912, as the Titanic met its tragic end.
To provide a deeper understanding of the unfolding disaster, the exhibition features a series of videos covering different aspects of the evening alongside detailed timelines that map out the key events as they happened.
One of the most striking and heartbreaking displays is a graph illustrating the number of unoccupied seats in the lifeboats. Despite there being room for only half of those onboard, many lifeboats left the sinking ship just 40% full—a haunting reminder of the chaos, fear, and missed chances for survival.
The Media
The tragic story of the Titanic has captivated the world for over a century, inspiring countless movies, books, and documentaries. Most notably, the 1997 film Titanic introduced audiences to the fictional love story of Jack and Rose, a narrative that became deeply intertwined with the ship’s real-life history.
This room showcases posters from various Titanic-themed films released across the globe, highlighting how the story has been retold through different lenses.
Adding to the nostalgia, the exhibition even features the iconic costume worn by Rose in the film as she boarded the Titanic, offering a special moment for fans of the beloved movie.
The Wreck
The next room explores the discovery of the Titanic’s wreck, which remained lost beneath the ocean for over 70 years until its remarkable rediscovery in 1985.
Here, you’ll find detailed replicas of the wreck, offering a haunting glimpse into how the once-grand ship now rests on the seafloor.
The Titanic was found 3.8 kilometres deep off the coast of Newfoundland, its remains serving as a solemn reminder of the tragedy that unfolded on that fateful night.
Memorial Room
The exhibition concludes in the Memorial Room, a profoundly moving space where the full scale of the tragedy truly sinks in.
At the heart of the room is a display with four images shaped like the Titanic itself, each representing the passengers onboard – first-class passengers, second-class passengers, third-class passengers, and the crew.
In a stark visual reminder of the disaster’s impact, the top half of the display lists the names of those who survived, while the bottom half bears the names of those who perished that fateful night.
As you take in the memorial, the stark reality of class divisions aboard the Titanic becomes evident. Of the 324 first-class passengers, an astonishing 60% survived. Meanwhile, third-class passengers and crew—who made up the majority of those on board—had a survival rate of just 25%.
Adding to the poignancy are images of some who lost their lives, reinforcing that the Titanic is not just a tale of history and fascination but a deeply human tragedy that continues to resonate through time.
Accessibility
Titanic: The Human Story is wheelchair accessible, and guests with a hearing impairment can request a transcript of the audio guide (available in English) from the box office staff upon arrival.
Guests requiring assistance throughout this experience can apply for one free pass for their personal assistant/support worker. Simply show proof of needing a carer ticket at the entrance, and the carer will be allowed in for free.
Service dogs are also welcome.
Facilities and Amenities
While no toilets are inside the Titanic Exhibition, Uptown has toilets on Levels A, E, 1, 2 and 3. Toilets providing access for the mobility impaired can be found on Levels E, 1, 2 & 3 and a parent’s room on Level 2.
Location
Titanic: The Human Story is in the old Myer Centre in the Brisbane CBD, now called Uptown. The entry is on Level Q, just next to Just Jeans.
If you’re driving, I’d recommend parking at Uptown. If coming on the weekend, parking is only $11 per day or $10 if pre purchased online.
The location is also very convenient if you want to take a train or bus into town.
Tips for Visitors
To wander through all the various rooms, read all the material, view all the items on display and watch all the video footage, you could spend a few hours at the exhibition. However, I’d suggest allowing around 1 to 1.5 hours to visit.
Pricing and Booking Information
Tickets for Titanic: The Human Story are $44 for 13+ and $35 for kids. For families, you can get discounted tickets for $36 per person. Kids under 4 are free.
You’ll need to book online and nominate a particular session time. Titanic: The Human Story is open Wednesdays through to Mondays from 9 am to 7 pm.
Click here to book your tickets.
Who’s Titanic: The Human Story Exhibition for?
Titanic: The Human Story is an immersive experience that appeals to many visitors, from history buffs to families looking for an engaging day out.
If you’re captivated by the story of the Titanic, this exhibition provides an in-depth look at the ship’s construction, the lives of its passengers, and the fateful voyage that made history.
While the exhibition isn’t directly tied to James Cameron’s blockbuster film, Titanic, fans of the movie will appreciate the detailed recreations of the ship’s interiors and personal stories that bring the tragedy to life.
With interactive displays and real-life artifacts, the exhibition is an educational and engaging experience for children and teenagers. It’s a great way to introduce younger generations to an important historical event in a way that feels immersive and memorable.
I’ve been twice. The first time was with some friends, and we spent about 90 minutes exploring the exhibition in depth. The second time, I went with my teen, whose fascinated by the Titanic story. However, she wasn’t as excited about the exhibition, and we spent about 45 minutes there on that occasion.
Enjoy Titanic: The Human Story Brisbane!
Hopefully, you found this review on Titanic: The Human Story helpful.
Why not check out some of our other reviews of things to do in Brisbane, such as the Blanc de Blanc, Vertigo or Soak Bathhouse.
I’d also recommend you join our free Queensland and Brisbane Travel Guide Facebook community, where you can ask all your questions.