Bookfest will return Saturday 27 June until Sunday 5 July 2026.
With a good book, you can be transported to magical places, travel without moving your feet and live a thousand lives. Lifeline Bookfest Brisbane is back, with a million pre-loved books on sale over five massive days – that’s a million stories in which to lose yourself.
With free entry and book prices starting at $2.50, you’ll find all kinds of fiction, non-fiction, biographies, textbooks, magazines, sci-fi, games, CDs, DVDs and special rare finds. And our Comic Fest section will have more space, filled with more than 10,000 comics, memorabilia and other collectables.
Plus, you’ll save with every book – not only are there great prices, but every book you buy helps support the 24-hour 13 11 14 Lifeline Crisis Support Line so we can answer more phone calls from Queenslanders in need. Books really can save lives!
So come along and fill a bag (or a trolley) with books from the endless rows of tables.
Event info
Where: Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre, South Brisbane
When:
- Saturday 27 June - Sunday 5 July 2026
Opening Times TBD (Estimated 7:30AM - 6PM Daily)
Entry is free. Books from $2.50.
- Plenty of registers - cards preferred, cash payment available.
- Cafe with seating for refreshments.
- Trolleys available.
- Remember to BYO bags/suitcases or purchase a $1 Lifeline bag.
Getting to BCEC
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC) has three entrances, the main entrance on the corner of Merivale & Glenelg streets, the Grey Street entrance, and the exhibition entrance at the corner of Melbourne & Merivale streets.
Walking to the centre
BCEC is a short stroll across from the Brisbane CBD connected by Victoria Bridge. Hotels, restaurants and bars, South Bank beach and its parklands are all within walking distance from BCEC.
Parking
BCEC provides undercover parking for up to 1500 vehicles. The car park has direct lift access to the centre’s multiple convention floors and exhibition facilities. Car parks 2 and 3 are best for Exhibition Halls (Bookfest is in Halls 3 and 4).
Public transport
Getting to BCEC via public transport is easy and efficient with bus, ferry and train options available. More information about planning your journey via public transport can be found on the TransLink website.
Train
South Brisbane Railway Station next to the Convention Centre on Grey Street, or South Bank Railway Station, are the most convenient stations to the BCEC.
Bus services
The Cultural Centre Station on Melbourne Street and the South Bank Busway Station on the corner of Colchester and Tribune streets are closest to BCEC.
CityCat and ferries
CityCats operate every day and stop at the South Bank River Terminal on the Clem Jones Promenade. The inner-city ferry travels between the CBD, North Quay and Kangaroo Point, stopping at South Bank Terminal 1 and 2 on the Clem Jones Promenade.
Taxis
Taxi ranks are located outside the main entrance to the centre on Merivale Street and a taxi drop off located at the centre’s Grey Street entrance.
We have heaps of soft and hard-cover second-hand books, as well as games, puzzles and more, in the following categories:
- Art/music.
- Australiana.
- Autobiography/biography/humour.
- Cabinet/table books.
- CDs.
- Children's.
- Classics/literature/hardback.
- Comics/gaming.
- Cooking.
- Craft/hobbies/lifestyle.
- DVDs.
- Games/puzzles.
- Health/family.
- High-quality.
- History/war.
- Magazines.
- Paperback fiction.
- Rare/collectables.
- Records.
- Reference.
- Religion/new age.
- Sci-fi/fantasy.
- Sheet music.
- Stationery.
- Travel/foreign language.
- True crime.
- Vehicles/sport/DIY.
Thank you for thinking of us. We appreciate your generosity and welcome donations throughout the year through our:
- Lifeline shops
- Lifeline donation bins or hubs
- Lifeline Warehouse: Request a free pick-up for bulk clothing donations
Sign up to volunteer
Our Lifeline Bookfests are a lot of fun. From sorting and pricing books to serving our amazing customers, you could be part of a great community of volunteers. Every minute you give helps us support life.
To become a volunteer at Lifeline Queensland
- Visit our Volunteering Portal
- Search for volunteer opportunities available
- Fill in an application form by creating an account
- Connect with the volunteer supervisor to learn more about the role
Every dollar you give helps us save lives
Money raised at Lifeline events supports the Lifeline 13 11 14 Crisis Support Line, offering 24/7 suicide prevention and crisis support. If you can’t make an event, why not make a donation?
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