You’ll Love This Mind-Blowing Escape Room in Brisbane
Arcadium Adventures escape rooms in Brisbane are more mind-blowing than ordinary. We drank from dragon eggs with wheat straws, entered a realm of magic and racked our brains to solve clues and puzzles. We even managed to find what we were seeking with only 18 seconds to spare.
Pheeewwwww that one was close!
Located in the heart of Brisbane in Spring Hill, tucked away beside the highrises and appropriately named, ‘’The Basement’’, Arcadium is no ordinary escape room. To start with, you don’t actually have to escape the room. It doesn’t have the usual horror themes, therefore it’s really quite family-friendly. Instead, you will work together to unravel mysteries with elements of magic.
Um … Did I mention it has a really cool escape room bar?
Credit – Jessica Palmer
We were greeted by Lex Lumière, Master Companion at the Brisbane Chapter for The Order of Arcadium and who would act as our Adventure Guide. “Greetings Adventurers!” he said with a bow and a theatrical swish of his hand, before beckoning us into the bar area. Drinks were served. Water for the kids in a dragon egg vessel, and a cocktail for my husband served in a crystal skull. According to our Adventure Guide, one sip of the cocktail, Vanitas – a Bacardi, coconut, lime & pineapple delight – will loosen one’s tongue and render them unable to speak anything but the truth.
Our Adventure Guide Lex did not once break character …
Theatrical as always and never once breaking character, our Adventure Guide led us into the portal for a magical one hour journey. This journey was one of four options you can choose from. We were to enter the Realm of Magic to discover (and hopefully find) the fate of the Wand of Illumination.
The room we entered appeared to be a gentleman’s study from a bygone Victorian era. There were jars with feathers and strange runes behind glass-fronted shelves, a metal trunk with locks, Celtic symbols and many other strange mysteries and paraphernalia. As a result, I felt like I had stepped into a fantasy world that had merged all of my favourite authors and stories into one, including The Belgariad series by David Eddings, Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling and any of the many tales of Merlin the Sorcerer.
This was not what I expected from a Brisbane escape room … This was awesome!
Credit – Jessica Palmer
Solve a puzzle to unlock yet another clue …
One must find clues to solve a puzzle which will then, in turn, unlock the next set of clues. At the ages of 6 years and 8 years, much of the clues went over the kid’s heads. However, they were still able to join in and have a great time!
Even if they don’t quite grasp the clues, kids can still have ‘’hero moments’’ tackling easier tasks, such as helping to find symbols that we need to solve a clue or opening the locks once the clue is solved and the lock combination found. Their keen eyes are great for seeking out symbols and reading the fine print.
The rooms have a modern twist which younger members appreciate. A TV screen that provides hints along the way if you get stuck, and a mobile device which is provided by our Adventure Guide at the beginning to scan symbols, objects and images for clues.
How did we go at the Brisbane escape room?
Well, I won’t go into details about the clues and mysteries to be solved at Arcadium Adventures. I don’t want to give anything away! However, I will say that we did find the mysterious Wand of Illumination, barely finishing with only 18 seconds to spare and with a little help from our Adventure Guide Lex, who was providing clues via words, images and sounds through the TV screen.
How Arcadium Adventure Works
Grab your favourite people (2 – 6 is an ideal number) and bring your curiosity for an hour-long adventure where you will enter a secret portal (a hidden room) to one of the Realms of Arcadium. Here you will work together to solve clues and unravel the mysteries.
Credit – Jessica Palmer
The Quests at The Escape Room in Brisbane
Quest for The Wand of Illumination
Legend says this wand is the most powerful of the original three arcana of magic. Said to have been delivered to an ancient civilization by wise and mythical beings that arrived over the sea on a cloud of mist, the wand is rumoured to have last been seen during the lifetime of Emrys (aka Merlin the Great). Your task is to solve the clues to discover the Wand of Illumination.
This was the escape room in Brisbane that we did and we loved it!
Pursuit of The Elixir of Life
Studious adventurers have found many references to the Elixir of Life in the archives. It’s quite possible that it may be concealed somewhere beyond the portal! Said to grant the drinker immortality, your task is to get to the bottom of the mystery and uncover the Elixir.
Search for The Stone of Destiny
The stone of destiny is said to give the holder supernatural talents. It bestows the bearer with wisdom beyond measure and the ability to divine the truth about both things that have passed and things that are yet to come. This task is a true challenge and only the wisest and most observant are likely to find this prized artefact. Are you up to the challenge?
The Mystery of The Missing Professor
While the other three quests take place in the Realm of Magic, this quest will see you entering the Realm of Mystery. Adventurers from Arcadium have been exploring the Realm of Mystery with the assistance of Professor H Geber, who appears to be a native of the Realm. In our last encounter, he was enthusiastic about a breakthrough he wanted to share but it seems that he has now disappeared. Your task is to find what the missing Professor has been working on and discover what secrets he has been keeping.
The Final Verdict
Thoroughly entertaining, a lot of fun and guaranteed to blow your mind, Arcadium Adventures is the premium escape room in Brisbane. Great for couples, groups of friends, workplaces and families alike!
Book direct on the Arcadium Website Here.
Credit – Jessica Palmer
Psstt – If you’re looking for an Ipswich escape room and wish to avoid Brisbane, check our Seraphim Escape Rooms.
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Essential Information for Your Brisbane Family Holiday
Best time to visit Brisbane
April and May is often touted as the best time to visit as the weather is mild and you can avoid school holiday crowds. However, it’s not hot enough to swim during these months which is a real downer for me.
Timing your Brisbane holiday with the Brisbane festival in September is a great idea. Although more crowded, there is HEAPS going on in and around the city, including the Riverfire fireworks.
Where to stay in Brisbane
We loved the Brisbane City YHA for its location and value for money. If you wish to cook for yourself, the communal kitchen is massive, and it also features a games room and a rooftop pool and bar. There are some decent options for families here.
If five-star luxury with all the works is more your style, find a great deal on bookings.com here!
Getting to Brisbane
Getting to Brisbane is pretty straightforward. You can fly into the international or domestic airport, embark on an epic road trip through Queensland, or travel via train or bus.
- Search for a great deal on flights on JetRadar.
- Search car hire across major brands here.
- Book your bus here.
Getting around Brisbane
There are a number of options for getting around Brisbane but first things first – let’s get from the airport to your hotel!
- Book your private airport transfer here.
Public transport
Brisbane Visitors can purchase a cashless ticket called the Go Card which can be used on the city’s buses, trains, CityCats and ferry services. Get your card from the Brisbane Visitor Information Centre or at most local news agencies.
The Translink Journey Planner or Google Maps can be used to plan your route.
Hop-on Hop-off Bus
The Hop-on Hop-off Bus is a tourist bus that stops at 15 major locations throughout Brisbane. Tickets are valid for 24 or 48 hours from first use and you basically just hop on and off when you feel like it. Family passes are available.
- Book your Hop-on Hop-off bus tickets here.
City loop bus
The City Loop Bus is free and runs every 10 minutes, stopping at popular spots throughout its loop. More information on the City Loop Bus can be found here.
Bicycle hire
If the kids are old enough to peddle on their own, visit one of the 150 CityCycle hire stations to get around. This is a fun option for older kids!
Car hire
Compare car rental prices across major brands here. Be aware that unless your hotel offers parking, you will pay a small fortune to house the vehicle overnight.
Taxi
Taxi ranks can be found at the Brisbane international and domestic airports, as well as throughout Brisbane City.
Black & White Cabs: 13 32 22.
Attractions and tours
There is plenty of things to do and see around Brisbane. Highlights with kids include the Museum and Science Centre, Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary, Streets Beach and the surrounding National Parks.
- Book your tickets to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary here.
- Book your Brisbane River cruise here.
- Book your Moreton Island Tangalooma Dolphin Adventure here.
WiFi
Most hotels in the city will offer free Wifi. However, if you wish to take control of your own connection, a Portable WiFi for Australia can be delivered directly to your hotel in Brisbane.
Book your portable WiFi here.
Brisbane holiday travel guides
Check out the official Visit Brisbane Page here.
