Welcome to the Family: The Condensery, Toogoolawah
Brisbane Living Heritage is delighted to welcome The Condensery | Somerset Regional Art Gallery as our newest member. Housed in the former Nestlé condensed milk factory packing building, it is a contemporary art space with deep roots in its town’s industrial past.
A heritage building with a contemporary program
The Condensery opened in December 2015 after an award-winning adaptive reuse of the historic site. Today it produces and presents contemporary exhibitions, programs and activities for the Somerset region and its visitors, with a focus on living artists. Entry is always free.
Right now, visitors can see Pulse of place by Kuweni Dias Mendis, on until 29 November. The immersive, multisensory installation spans the main gallery and the historic Bomb Shelter. It explores domestic ritual and the cultural histories of Sri Lankan women.
Every second year the gallery also stages its Harvest Biennial, which celebrates environment and sense of place. It pairs new work by Somerset artists with selected artists from across Australia. The 2025 edition was Volatile Terrain, and the next is due in 2027.
More than exhibitions
The Condensery runs a free public program alongside its shows, including workshops, talks and performances for adults and children. Coming up on Saturday 7 November are a performance by Dean Ansell at 11am and a traditional weaving session with Kahli Dawkings from 12 to 3pm, part of the gallery’s regular “Condensery Social” series. Families can also drop into the Creation Station during opening hours. Schools and preschools are welcome too, with activities tailored to the curriculum where possible.
Getting there
Toogoolawah is about an hour and a half from the Brisbane CBD. The drive runs up the Brisbane Valley through Ipswich, Lowood and Esk, which makes a good coffee stop.
Plan your visit
The Condensery is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm, at 29 Factory Road, Toogoolawah. It is fully accessible and family friendly, with ample parking. It closes occasionally for exhibition changeovers, so check its website or social media before you set out.
Heritage lives in how communities keep using and reimagining their places, and The Condensery shows that beautifully. Find it in our online directory, and see current exhibitions and programs at thecondensery.com.au.
