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From Saturday morning cartoons to all-day movie marathons, Disney has shaped the childhoods of generations of Australians. If you, like me, spent hours dreaming of castles, talking animals and faraway adventures, you’ll be stoked to hear that you can soon step right inside your favourite stories.
This December, Disney is bringing its world-renowned centenary exhibition to Australia for the very first time, giving fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at its most beloved films – complete with more than 120 rarely seen artefacts and costumes. It's honestly just as exciting for big kids as it is for the little ones!
You might expect a blockbuster exhibition like this to premiere in Sydney or Melbourne, but Disney: The Exhibition – A Century of Magic is actually debuting in Mackay, a laid-back coastal city located roughly halfway between Brisbane and Cairns. It’s a pretty big claim to fame for regional Queensland, especially considering the exhibition has only previously toured the likes of Munich, London, Chicago, Seoul, Paris and Madrid.
Disney: The Exhibition – A Century of Magic will unfold across eight immersive, themed galleries, including The Spirit of Adventure and Discovery, The Magic of Sound and Music, and Where Do the Stories Come From? Across these zones, fans can get up close to legit film props – from Cinderella’s glass slipper in the 2015 live-action film to Jack Sparrow’s compass from Pirates of the Caribbean, and the lightsaber hilt used by Disney Legend Mark Hamill in Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
Straight from the Walt Disney Archives, you can also admire original costumes worn by iconic characters such as Minnie Mouse, Cruella, Black Widow and Mufasa. Talk about a serious trip down memory lane!
As an added behind-the-scenes treat, the centenary exhibition will also showcase large-scale sketches and 3D maquettes, offering a glimpse into how beloved characters and stories evolved from concept to the big screen over the past 100 years.
Disney: The Exhibition – A Century of Magic debuts at the Mackay Entertainment and Convention Centre on December 4, 2026, running until May 4, 2027. Tickets go on sale in April via the website here – and honestly, it’s the perfect excuse to turn your visit into a sunny Queensland getaway while you’re at it.