Brisbane Powerhouse gets a new venue while Wynnum Fringe loses theirs

When Wynnum Fringe chief executive Tom Oliver’s parents stumbled across a disused spiegeltent in outback Queensland, and Tom was able to acquire it for his festival, he could hardly believe his luck.

But after just two years on Bay Terrace, Wynnum Fringe has to move, as sponsors BMD Group take back their site for development.

And that means the Augathella Spiegeltent will relocate from the bayside to New Farm to join the Brisbane Powerhouse precinct.

The tent takes over the site of the former Dendy Powerhouse Outdoor Cinema from October. Construction has already commenced.

Brisbane Powerhouse chief executive Louise Bezzina said the Augathella Spiegeltent would welcome its first audiences in its new home during the Brisbane Writers’ Festival from October 8-11.

“To have another venue that gives us the ability to do different kinds of performances is wonderful,” Bezzina said.

“It’s a really good example of arts organisations working together for a mutually beneficial outcome.”

Wynnum Fringe’s Oliver said the cost of power was “the kicker”, and meant the venue had only been able to operate six weeks a year in Wynnum.

“A performing arts venue as good as the Augathella Spiegeltent should be welcoming artists and audiences every week of the year,” he said.

“The venue will [now] have a permanent connection to mains power, dressing rooms and toilets – a major logistical win – and it will be co-programmed by Brisbane Powerhouse and Tom Oliver Productions.

“Companies looking to play in Brisbane can book the venue through the Powerhouse, and I will curate and produce various shows throughout the year.”

He said the move dovetailed with his ambitions for the wider Queensland Fringe to have venues in Brisbane, Wynnum and regional Queensland.

“With Brisbane 2032 just over five years away, it feels like the right next chapter for the Augie.

“Part of me is sad, and part of me is incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved there and where we are headed.”

The tent was built in Belgium in 2008 for Queensland’s 150th anniversary celebrations and originally named the Q150 Shed.

However, it lay largely abandoned in Augathella until brought to Wynnum through a crowdfunding appeal.

At the same time, Wynnum Fringe moved from George Clayton Park to the site at 166 Bay Terrace, where the 300-seat tent was the festival’s heart in 2025 and 2026, welcoming around 40,000 patrons.

In 2026 it hosted performances by comedians Arj Barker, Matt Okine and Mel Buttle, and musicians such as James Blundell, Mahalia Barnes and Wes Carr.

Oliver paid tribute to civil construction firm BMD Group and its owners the Power family for their support.

“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.

Oliver said he was looking into alternative venues for the 2027 Wynnum Fringe.

BMD chief executive officer Scott Power said the Bay Terrace site was earmarked for the development of BMD’s future headquarters.

“BMD is proud to have supported Tom Oliver, Wynnum Fringe, the Augathella Spiegeltent and the many artists who have brought the festival to life in Wynnum over recent years,” he said.

The Spiegeltent joins another tent, the Pleasuredome, which has occupied the Powerhouse precinct’s Performance Lawn since 2022.

The Pleasuredome was designed by set designer Bruce McKinven, who is also revamping the look of the Augathella Spiegeltent.

It will be redesigned with a gloss black façade and illuminated signage set against the existing rustic corrugated iron shell.

Inside will be dressed in red velvet with new black vinyl flooring and black marine carpet in the foyer.

The Dendy Cinema’s former candy bar would be repurposed for use with the Spiegeltent.

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