I’m standing on Brisbane’s Northshore at 9am with a toddler dangling from each arm, about to spend the next hour chasing a fictional rabbit through a 4,000-square-metre pavilion. Such is the gravitational pull of Bluey – the animated juggernaut that’s secretly a parenting manual disguised as a cartoon.
If you live with kids under five, chances are the Heelers are probably part of the family. The theme song plays on loop in your head. “Wackadoo!” might slip uninvited into conversation. And every now and again, a seven-minute episode about growing up too fast will obliterate you while you’re just trying to fold the laundry. All of it is set against the backdrop of Brisbane, and every episode is peppered with familiar local details: purple jacarandas, CityCats gliding down the river and old Queenslanders with wraparound verandas. And now, the Heelers’ world exists IRL.
At Northshore Pavilion, fans can step into Bluey’s World Brisbane – a world-first attraction dedicated to the beloved blue heeler, complete with life-size rooms, games from the show and more. We checked it out so you know what to expect from your first visit.
Mission: find Floppy
Our adventure at Bluey’s World Brisbane begins, appropriately, with a quest. We’re greeted by Rhonda, the garden gnome, who announces the day’s challenge: Bingo’s beloved stuffed bunny, Floppy, has gone missing (classic Floppy). Our job is to bring her home. Under Rhonda’s chaotic leadership, we follow a breadcrumb trail of clues through the Heeler house, room by room, solving puzzles and playing games along the way.
Inside the Heeler house
What follows is a house tour where you’re not just a spectator, but part of the plot. The house itself is uncanny – a life-size, fully immersive version of the one on screen. Our small troupe moves as one, rifling through couch cushions, inspecting hidden corners and all the while marvelling at the oddly familiar-looking decor we’ve seen on our screens for so long. Then, we pause for an impromptu round of musical statues before crawling into the iconic cubby house from the ‘Cubby’ episode (a personal highlight).
In Bluey and Bingo’s bedroom, glowing moons and stars light the walls while Unicorse bursts in for an unhinged cameo. In the kitchen, there’s a duck cake baking in the oven, a pitch-perfect replica of the one from that legendary Women’s Weekly birthday cookbook. I stare at it. I want a slice.
Out back, a towering poinciana tree – a recurring backdrop in so many episodes – shades the massive backyard. Scattered balloons are ready for rounds of Keepy Uppy, and a fleet of ride-on toy cars waits for kids to channel their inner Rita and Janet from ‘Grannies’.
The hunt for Floppy continues. We’re ushered through Bandit’s shed, which is filled with Easter eggs from the show that only true fans will notice. And just as the experience seems to be winding down, we’re led into a 360-degree projection dome room. I won’t spoil what happens here, but it’s a moving acknowledgement of the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it-ness of childhood.
Then – cue the fanfare – we step into the final room where Bluey and Bingo await. It’s selfies, hugs and high-fives. I hold their oversized paws, snap a photo and feel genuinely excited to meet them. Perhaps even starstruck.
The encore
After the hour-long quest wraps, kids can go feral in a themed play zone, while parents can refuel with a Pizza Girl slice or takeaway from the Golden Crown (get the spring rolls!). The final stop is Alfie’s Gift Shop, where you can buy your very own fluffy Floppy (which we did), Bluey-themed merch, clothes, toys – the works.
Since opening in November 2024, more than 200,000 visitors have wandered through Bluey’s World Brisbane, bringing an estimated $18 million boost to the economy. The pop-up has been such a runaway success that its stay has already been extended beyond its original run – proof that this is far more than kid stuff.
Floppy tucked into my tote, I can confirm: Bluey’s World is absolutely one of the best days out for kids (and for the kids we still carry inside us).
Tips for visiting Bluey’s World Brisbane:
- Book ahead. Sessions sell out quickly.
- Go off-peak. Weekday mornings are quieter and often cheaper.
- Don’t rush the ending. The café, playground and gift shop are part of the experience.
- Be present. No photos are allowed during most of the guided experience – and while that might feel strict at first, it’s actually refreshing.
- Arrive by ferry. The CityCat has been rebranded as part of the adventure – a delightfully on-theme way to arrive.