Lunchtime Lectures

Our free Lunchtime Lecture series takes place on the last Thursday of each month. We invite you to get to know our Queensland Museum staff who’ll present some of the research and projects they’ve been working on. 

Each talk runs approximately thirty minutes, making it the perfect opportunity to take a trip though time, explore an area of Queensland, gain cultural insights, or find out about a spectacular species you mightn’t have heard of before.

You are welcome to BYO lunch. Please be mindful that the Theatre seating does not have side tables so bring something you can hold in your hands. Please ensure drinks are covered.  

Thursday 26 June 2025 | The Secret Lives of Scarab Beetles 
Presented by Dr Nicole Gunter, Scientist and Curator Entomology

Did you know there are over 2300 species of Australian scarab beetles? Learn about their biology, where to find them and how they have influenced society. 

Thursday 31 July 2025 | The Sunshine Route
Presented by Robert Shiels, Curator Transport

31 July 2025 marks 160 years since the opening of Queensland’s first railway. From humble beginnings, the network has become one of the largest narrow gauge railway systems in the world. Join us as we look back at how railways have shaped our state through the 19th and 20th centuries, and how they continue to shape our lives.