An interactive team-based experience featuring 35 challenge rooms is opening in Fortitude Valley, marking the Brisbane debut of Prison Island.
Background and Concept
Prison Island, an indoor team challenge concept that originated in Scandinavia, is expanding into Brisbane with a new venue in Fortitude Valley. The experience, already operating in cities across Europe and Melbourne, is designed around completing various challenges in themed rooms known as “cells”. Each cell requires a combination of logic, skill, or physical coordination. The concept has been developed by Make It Now and is co-produced with Fever.
Experience Format and Game Design
The Fortitude Valley venue will open on 4 September 2025 at 162 Alfred Street. Players form teams of two to five and are given 90 minutes to complete as many of the 35 challenge cells as possible. The rooms range from physical tasks like basketball and laser mazes to puzzles testing memory, reflexes, and communication. The format is designed to appeal to all ages from 7 years and up.
Each challenge cell features a different objective and scoring system, with tasks such as dodging beams, colour puzzles, and interactive props. Game outcomes are tracked digitally, and teams earn points based on their performance in each room.
Venue Applications and Group Options
The Fortitude Valley venue caters to a wide audience including families, friends, schools, and corporate groups. Group bookings are available for teams of over 20 players, and sessions can be tailored for special occasions such as birthdays, bucks and hens parties, or workplace team-building events. Smaller group bookings can be made via the event waitlist.
Among the themed cells are games such as “Whack-a-Mole”, “Studio 21”, and “Joker”, each with its own stress rating and scoring system. Participants are encouraged to work together and play to individual strengths across different types of challenges.
Community Response and Ticket Availability
With thousands of global participants having tried Prison Island, organisers have reported strong early interest in the Brisbane venue. A public waitlist is already open, and general ticket sales begin at 6:00 p.m. on 5 August 2025. Sessions will run from the September launch onwards, with bookings available through the official website.
Looking Ahead
Prison Island Brisbane introduces a new indoor leisure option in Fortitude Valley, combining elements of sports, puzzles, and strategy into one structured experience. With 35 diverse challenge rooms and a format suited to groups of all kinds, the venue is positioned as a year-round activity for locals and visitors.
Published 4-Aug-2025
