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The Cube: Digital Interactives That’ll Bring Out the Nerd in You

| Last Updated: September 2024

I don’t like studying, but if it’s as mind-blowingly creative as The Cube in Brisbane, sign me up for the honours list!

Here, it’s like textbooks come to life, and learning is as addictive as binge-watching a mind-blowing Netflix documentary!

So, toss out those typical, text-heavy references, and get ready for an adventure where subjects come alive in ways you never imagined possible.

The Cube: An Overview

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The Cube in Brisbane is a huge digital space filled with 48 screens where people can interact and learn. It’s located in Queensland University of Technology’s Science and Engineering Centre and is one of the biggest of its kind in the world.

What makes The Cube special is that it’s not just about staring at screens – it’s about getting hands-on with Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) concepts. It’s like a giant playground for learning and discovery. 

The Cube is open to everyone, from students to adults, and it’s designed to be welcoming and inclusive.

One of the coolest things about The Cube is that it’s also connected to real research happening at Queensland University of Technology. Here, you can explore actual projects and even contribute your own ideas. 

The Cube is also an important part of Brisbane’s education and outreach efforts. It hosts workshops for schools and engages with the community to inspire curiosity and learning. 

How to Get to The Cube

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Getting to The Cube is relatively easy, and you’ve got a bunch of options to choose from. 

If you’ve got your own wheels or want to hop in a ride-sharing service, driving a car is a good bet. Just pop the address, 2 George Street, into your GPS, and you’ll be there in no time!

If you prefer public transport, you’ve got a few choices too. The Gardens Point campus, where The Cube is located, is close to the city centre. You can catch a train to Central or South Bank stations and take a short walk to reach The Cube. 

There’s also an option of hopping on a bus from King George Square or Queen Street bus stations.

And if you’re feeling fancy, you can even hop on a CityCat boat! The campus has its own stop, making easy to cruise your way to The Cube. 

Meanwhile, if you want to reach The Cube on foot, there’s pedestrian access from the city centre via George Street, or you can stroll over from Southbank Parklands via the Goodwill Bridge.

Either way, it’s just a short walk to QUT Gardens Point campus where The Cube is located.

Once you’re there, just head to the Ground Floor of the Science and Engineering Centre (that’s P Block on the Gardens Point map) and take the lift straight to The Cube. 

The Best Time to Go to The Cube

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The best time to get to The Cube in Brisbane is during the cooler seasons, like autumn and winter, when the weather is more pleasant for exploring.

If you’re aiming for the best day of the week, weekdays tend to be less crowded compared to weekends, making it easier to fully enjoy the interactive displays.

Now, as for the best time to go in a day, aiming for mid-morning is a smart move. Arriving around 10 in the morning gives you plenty of time to soak up all the learning and fun before the day gets too busy. 

Plus, you’ll have the whole afternoon to explore and experiment.

Keep in mind that The Cube is open from Tuesday to Sunday, so plan your visit accordingly. Also, make sure to check for any public holidays when The Cube might be open for special hours or closed altogether. 

Remember, they’re open from 10 in the morning until 4 in the afternoon, so plan your visit within that timeframe for the ultimate Cube experience!

Things to Know About The Cube

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Here’s what you need to know about The Cube in Brisbane:

  • Entrance tickets: Good news! Admission to The Cube is completely free, so you can dive into the interactive fun without worrying about ticket prices.
  • Schedule: The Cube is open from Tuesday to Sunday, giving you plenty of opportunities to visit. Swing by between 10 in the morning and 4 in the afternoon to make the most of your experience.
  • Parking: If you’re driving in, there are pay-on-exit public car parks nearby. You can find one underground in the Science and Engineering Centre (P-block) or under the Riverside Expressway. 

Keep an eye out for updates on parking locations and fees on the QUT Facilities Management page. Just be aware that parking might be limited during busy times or university semesters.

Pay stations accepting both cash and cards are available in and around the car parks for your convenience.

  • Accessibility: Queensland University of Technology is committed to making sure everyone can enjoy The Cube, so the building is designed to be accessible for visitors with disabilities.

Check out the accessibility maps to help you navigate the campus. There’s also a taxi drop-off and short-term parking zone outside Parliament House on George Street, just a short walk from The Cube. 

And if you have a Disability Parking permit, there are designated parking bays reserved just for you.

  • Restrooms: The Cube has restrooms available for your convenience, so you can take a break and freshen up during your visit.

The Cube: Tips and Reminders

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Here are some tips and reminders for your visit to The Cube:

  • Food and beverage: Please note that bringing food and drinks into The Cube is not allowed. However, you can still explore a variety of food and beverage options at the Gardens Point Precinct.

Here, they offer lunch, a quick snack, and even strong coffee.

  • Attire: Dress comfortably and appropriately for your visit to The Cube.

Since you’ll be engaging with interactive displays, wearing comfortable clothing and shoes is recommended to ensure you can move around freely and enjoy your experience to the fullest.

  • Camera: Feel free to bring your camera along to capture your memorable moments at The Cube. Snap away and share your experiences with friends and family!
  • Guided Tours: Interested in learning even more about The Cube? Consider joining a guided tour to dive deeper into the interactive displays and gain insights from knowledgeable guides.

Keep an eye out for scheduled guided tours during your visit.

  • Self-guided tours: If you prefer exploring The Cube at your own pace, you can download self-guided tour resources to enhance your experience.

These resources provide valuable information and insights into specific areas of The Cube, such as the Code-A-Bot, Wind Tunnel, and Physics Observatory.

Current Projects in The Cube

Octopus Estate

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With Octopus Estate at The Cube, you’ll encounter an octopus facing challenges from predators like sharks.

It’s up to you to decide the fate of your octopus—will you command it to fight, flee, or feast on the shark? The choices you make will shape the survival of your octopus in this thrilling underwater world.

Behind the scenes, serious research drives the Octopus Estate. Dr. Zoe Doubleday leads the MARIS lab (Marine Research for Innovative Solutions) at the University of South Australia’s Future Industries Institute. 

Alongside Dr. Jasmin Martino, Zoe studies octopus ecosystems, behaviours, and biology, bringing real-world science to life in this interactive exhibit.

Terra Nil

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At The Cube, one of the awesome games you and your kids can enjoy playing is Terra Nil. It’s super fun and a bit challenging too! 

In Terra Nil, your job is to transform empty and lifeless landscapes into lively and healthy ecosystems. You get to do cool stuff like purifying the soil, bringing back the oceans, planting forests, and bringing animals back to the land.

This game is all about nature repair and restoration, teaching us how important it is to take care of our environment. It’s like a virtual journey into how we can protect and preserve nature to keep our planet healthy.

Moreover, at Queensland University of Technology, they’re doing some serious research on these topics too, exploring ways to make our planet a better place. 

And the best part? You get to play Terra Nil on touch screens, using simple touch, drag, and zoom controls that we’re all familiar with. 

The Living Reef

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At The Cube, you and your kids can dive into the wonders of the ocean with a cool game called The Living Reef. 

The fish in the game behave just like real fish, thanks to some fancy artificial intelligence technology. They swim around, look for food, and even swim in schools, just like they do in the wild.

Queensland University of Technology’s researchers worked hard to make everything in The Living Reef as lifelike as possible. They even consulted with coral experts to make sure the coral looks just right.

And get this – each piece of coral in the game is unique, just like in nature!

The Living Reef also has interactive activities on the screen. In Turtle Tangle, you can help free a turtle caught in a ghost net. 

And in Reef Ranger, you can pilot RangerBot, an underwater vehicle developed by QUT researchers. It’s like being a real-life marine biologist!

The Great Acceleration

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For those of you who love learning about climate change and how humans are affecting the Earth, you’ll enjoy checking The Great Acceleration at The Cube. 

This special program from 2019 brings together artists who have looked into the history of human activity recorded in ice cores. 

By studying these traces from the past, we can learn a lot about what’s happening with our climate today and how human actions are speeding up changes on our planet. 

It’s an interesting way to explore important issues and gain a deeper understanding of our impact on the Earth.

Water Tank

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If your kids ever wonder why some things float while others sink, take them to see The Cube’s Water Tank!

It’s like a cool virtual water playground where you can experiment without getting wet. You can fill the tank with water, add objects like stones, rubber ducks, or balls, and then see what happens. 

Watch as the objects float or sink, and see how the water ripples and waves when you touch it. It’s a fun way to learn about buoyancy and how water behaves, all without needing to bring a towel!

Wind Tunnel

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You can also explore the interesting world of aerodynamics with the Wind Tunnel exhibit. It’s like having your own virtual wind tunnel where you can see how air flows over different objects, like planes, cars, or trucks.

Using fancy algorithms, the Wind Tunnel simulates airflow and shows you how it interacts with static objects. You can pick your object, set up the conditions, and then watch as smoke and particle effects help you visualize how the air moves around it. 

This helps you understand concepts like drag, lift, turbulence, velocity, and pressure in a fun and interactive way. 

Dino Zoo

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At The Cube’s Dino Zoo, you can step back in time and meet dinosaurs up close – without worrying about becoming dino dinner! These life-sized dinosaurs are the most scientifically accurate representations ever created. 

With the help of artificial intelligence, they move and behave just like real dinosaurs, based on what scientists know about their behaviour.

The Cube team worked with Dr. Scott Hocknull from the Queensland Museum to make sure these dinosaurs are as realistic as possible. From their movements to how they interact, everything is based on the latest scientific research.

Dino Zoo also has digital activities, an archaeological dig simulator, and an interactive Earth timeline to explore.

But remember, even though these dinosaurs aren’t real, they can still be a bit scary for some kids. So, if your little ones need some extra courage, make sure to stick close by. Additionally, kids under 12 should always have an adult with them.

Physics Observatory

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The Physics Observatory is a fun and interactive environment where people of all ages can discover the wonders of physics. 

Imagine throwing a wooden block on the Moon and then seeing how it behaves differently on the sun – that’s just one of the cool things you can explore here.

In the Physics Observatory, you can interact with different elements and see how they react to their environment. 

Here, you’ll learn about famous scientists and their experiments, and you can even play through different scenarios to understand key principles of physics. 

This project builds on The Cube’s earlier Physics Playroom and is designed to align more closely with the STEM national curriculum. 

Code-A-Bot

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At The Cube’s Code-A-Bot, you become the boss of programming robot workers in a waste recycling plant. Using the digital touch screens, you can code the robots to move, sense, and collect or sort rubbish to make the plant more efficient. 

You can even team up with other players and their robots to get the best results for DERP (Department of Environmental Resource Processing). 

It’s a fun and interactive way to learn about coding and how technology can help solve real-world problems like waste management. 

Chem World

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At Chem World, you get to dive into the exciting world of chemistry with hands-on experiences and virtual experiments. This project is designed to help students learn about the fundamentals of chemistry in a safe and inspiring way.

Inside Chem World, you’ll find three interactive experiments: Fireworks, Rocket launch, and Macro-Micro. These experiments let you explore chemical reactions and phenomena that might be too dangerous or tricky to try out in a classroom setting.

Additionally, Chem World features a periodic table filled with information about chemical elements. You can learn about their reactions, properties, structures, and histories.

Plus, there are artworks created by students to add an extra creative touch to your learning experience.

Chem World was launched during National Science Week at Queensland University of Technology, making it a perfect destination for science enthusiasts of all ages. 

Climate Futures: Air

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Climate Futures: Air is the newest exhibit at The Cube, inspired by the research of QUT scientists led by Professor Lidia Morawska. It dives deep into the world of air pollution, showing how it affects us from the sky to our own homes.

This project combines art and science to create a visually stunning experience backed by real research and data. 

Using ultra-high resolution projections, it visualises global-scale data collected by organizations like NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and WAQI (World’s Air Pollution: Real-time Air Quality Index). 

You can see how air quality changes over time and how winds carry pollution across the world.

On the touch screens, you can explore nine categories that tell the story of QUT’s research into air pollution. Each animation aims to educate and raise awareness about how air pollution impacts our daily lives and what we can do about it. 

Robot Factory

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At the Robot Factory, you can build your very own robot using parts from the factory. There are tons of combinations to try out, so you can create a robot that’s totally unique.

Once your robot is built, then it’s time for its launch! Watch as your creation floats into space, experiencing zero gravity. 

It’s a fun way to explore creativity and learn about space at the same time!

Wind and Water Simulations

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At The Cube, you can explore two awesome projects that focus on wind and water simulations.

First up is Water Tank, a cool digital simulation of water. You can fill the tank with water, add objects like stones or rubber ducks, and see how they affect the water’s surface. 

Watch as ripples and waves form when you touch the water, learning about buoyancy and how water behaves.

Next, there’s Wind Tunnel, which lets you explore air flow over different objects. Using fancy algorithms, it simulates how air moves over things like planes or cars.

You can choose your object, set up the conditions, and then watch as smoke and particle effects show you how the air moves. It’s a great way to understand concepts like drag, lift, and turbulence. 

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