The beloved Augathella Spiegeltent — the centrepiece of the Wynnum Fringe festival for the past two years — is set to find a permanent new home at the Brisbane Powerhouse precinct in New Farm, after its bayside site was reclaimed by sponsors for a major development project. Construction is already underway, with the venue expected to welcome its first Brisbane Powerhouse audiences during the Brisbane Writers' Festival from October 8 to 11.

Why Wynnum Fringe Is Losing Its Signature Venue

Wynnum Fringe has operated from a site at 166 Bay Terrace for the past two years, with the 300-seat spiegeltent serving as the festival's beating heart. But civil construction firm BMD Group — which provided the land rent-free — needs the site back to develop its future headquarters.

BMD chief executive Scott Power confirmed the company was proud of its support for the festival but that the Bay Terrace site was now earmarked for BMD's own expansion. Wynnum Fringe chief executive Tom Oliver paid tribute to BMD and the Power family, saying the rent-free arrangement had been transformational. "If we weren't able to sit on their site at 166 Bay Terrace for as long as we have, rent free, then we would not be able to think this big, and step into this next chapter," he said.

During its two seasons in Wynnum, the spiegeltent drew around 40,000 patrons and hosted performances from comedians including Arj Barker, Matt Okine and Mel Buttle, as well as musicians James Blundell, Mahalia Barnes and Wes Carr. Oliver is now investigating alternative Wynnum venues for the 2027 Wynnum Fringe.

The Augathella Spiegeltent's Unlikely Story

The tent itself has a remarkable history. Built in Belgium in 2008 to mark Queensland's 150th anniversary celebrations — originally named the Q150 Shed — it eventually lay largely abandoned in the outback Queensland town of Augathella. Oliver's parents discovered it there, and a subsequent crowdfunding campaign brought it to Wynnum, where it became the anchor of the festival Oliver had conceived during COVID-19 lockdowns.

Power costs proved a persistent constraint in Wynnum, limiting the venue to just six weeks of operation per year. Oliver described this as "the kicker", and said a venue of the spiegeltent's quality should be active far more regularly. The move to Brisbane Powerhouse will resolve that issue, with the tent receiving a permanent mains power connection, along with purpose-built dressing rooms and toilet facilities.

What the Move Means for Brisbane Powerhouse

The spiegeltent will occupy the site of the former Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema and join another tent, the Pleasuredome, which has been part of the Powerhouse's Performance Lawn since 2022. The venue will be co-programmed by Brisbane Powerhouse and Tom Oliver Productions, with touring companies able to book it directly through the Powerhouse while Oliver curates and produces additional shows throughout the year.

Brisbane Powerhouse chief executive Louise Bezzina said the addition would meaningfully expand the precinct's programming capabilities. "To have another venue that gives us the ability to do different kinds of performances is wonderful," she said. "It's a really good example of arts organisations working together for a mutually beneficial outcome."

Set designer Bruce McKinven — who also designed the Pleasuredome — is revamping the spiegeltent's exterior, giving it a gloss black façade with illuminated signage set against its existing rustic corrugated iron shell.

Eyes on Queensland Fringe and Brisbane 2032

For Oliver, the relocation is part of a broader vision for Queensland Fringe to establish venues across Brisbane, Wynnum and regional Queensland. With Brisbane 2032 now just over five years away, he sees the move as timely. Brisbane Powerhouse currently hosts around 1,250 performances and events annually.

"Part of me is sad, and part of me is incredibly proud of what we've achieved there and where we are headed," Oliver said of the transition.