Go Play Brisbane 2026: A First-Timer’s Guide to the Free Weekend |
Choose a session, check the game notes and find the new Level 1 venue at State Library |
A free weekend can still come with a small hurdle: walking into a room where the rules are unfamiliar. Go Play explicitly welcomes beginners, which makes its 31 October–1 November 2026 convention worth a look if tabletop roleplaying has always sounded interesting.
The volunteer-run event returns to State Library of Queensland in South Brisbane. This year’s clearly marked venue is Level 1. Some older information remains on the organiser’s pages, so check the 2026 panel before heading out. |
At a Glance
|
Choose a session you can stay for |
The 2026 programme lists event hours of 8:30am–5pm each day. Morning games run from 9am to 12:30pm, followed by afternoon games from 1:30pm to 5pm.
Choose a block you can give your attention to. A roleplaying session asks a group to build a story together, and leaving halfway through can affect the table. Allow time beforehand to find the room, meet the game master and settle in.
One session is a manageable first outing. You can leave the rest of the day open without committing your entire weekend to a new hobby.
 Promotional illustration: Go Play Brisbane, displayed on the organiser’s 2026 website. |
Read the game notes before choosing |
The games list ranges from fantasy adventures to science-fiction and horror. Individual entries explain the system, premise and, where relevant, content warnings. Those details matter more than recognising a famous game title.
For example, the listing for Another Bug Hunt, using Mothership, asks players to bring particular dice and a pencil. Other games have their own preparation notes. Read your chosen entry before assuming everything is supplied.
If a theme makes you uncomfortable, choose another table or ask the organiser about suitable options. A beginner-friendly welcome doesn't mean every story suits every age or taste. |
Sort out registration before travelling |
The website contains conflicting notices about whether advance registration is open. Its games page includes both an invitation to register and a notice saying formal registration has closed, with on-the-day sign-ups available.
Use the current registration destination linked by the organiser and confirm the position through its contact page if it isn't clear. Don't assume a particular seat is reserved simply because the event itself is free.
For a walk-in visit, arrive with a second-choice game. A specific table can fill while there are still other ways to take part. |
Find the right room and ask for help |
Follow the new 2026 location: Level 1 at State Library, Stanley Place, South Brisbane. Older references to The Edge are still visible on the same site. The organiser states that the venue has lift and stair access.
State Library’s transport guide puts Cultural Centre busway station about 260 metres away and South Brisbane station about 500 metres away. Allow walking time before your session, then use its visitor information to find the room.
Go Play’s organisers describe volunteer support for new players and identifiable Hearth Wardens for concerns during the event. Ask for help early if you're unsure where to go or how a game works. You can learn the rules at the table. |
6 Comments
Join the conversation
Good heads up about the old info still being on their pages. I've been caught out by that kind of thing before, showed up at the wrong spot and felt like an idiot. Level 1 at State Library is easy enough to find at least.
trish_bneSame, showed up at the wrong floor for something at State Library once and wandered around for ages. At least Level 1 is pretty obvious once you're through the main entrance.
Glad the heads-up was useful, the Level 1 detail is specifically there for that reason, since even a well-signed venue can cause confusion when older pages are still floating around online.
Never been to Go Play before but this actually sounds like something I could get into. Always wanted to try tabletop stuff but felt a bit lost not knowing the rules. Might have to make a weekend of it and check out South Brisbane while I'm there too.
That beginner-friendly atmosphere is genuinely the heart of what makes Go Play worth the trip, and South Brisbane is a lovely spot to make a full weekend of it while you're there.
Joel M.Go Play is genuinely perfect for that situation. The whole point is that GMs running sessions expect people who have never played before. No one's going to look at you weird for asking basic questions.