If you’re graduating from the University of Queensland, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to photo locations. Full of sandstone arches, jacaranda trees, and riverside views. Whether you want something grand and traditional or relaxed and natural, UQ has it all within walking distance.
The Great Court
The Great Court is the go-to spot for UQ graduation photos; it’s almost a rite of passage. The sandstone cloisters, arches, and open lawns make it perfect for timeless graduation portraits. You can do so much just within this area alone, from standing proudly under the arches, to walking across the courtyard gives you a huge variety of looks without needing to move far.
It’s also a great option if you’d prefer to keep your session short or want to avoid too much walking!
Forgan Smith Building
These steps are a great spot for wide, celebratory shots, perfect if you’re wearing your gown and want that “I did it!” moment. The building’s architecture gives every image a grand, classic feel.
UQ Lakes
If you want to have a bit of greenery in your photos, UQ Lakes is perfect. The pathways, greenery, and reflections on the water create a calm, airy feel. It’s an ideal spot for softer, more candid photos, walking across the bridges, sitting by the water, or capturing those quiet moments between poses.
During spring, this area becomes even more stunning when the jacarandas bloom. From mid-October to early November, the campus transforms into a blanket of purple. The colour adds a soft, dreamy touch that feels unmistakably UQ.
Faculty Buildings
If you’d like to make your session a little more personal, we can also include a few photos around your faculty building. Whether it’s the Advanced Engineering Building, Biological Sciences, Michie Building, or the Law Library, each has its own look and character that ties beautifully into your story at UQ.
These spots are great for quick stops, maybe a few relaxed portraits out the front or walking through the entryway where you’ve spent the past few years. It’s a simple way to add meaning to your gallery and capture where your uni journey really happened.
The UQ Sign
Across UQ there are several giant signs to get photos in front of. The biggest (and furthest) is on the corner of Sir Fred Schonnell Dr and Coleridge St, it’s the classic one you’ll see in lots of UQ grad photos.
If you’re not up for the walk out that way, there are a couple of great alternatives! The Chancellors Place sign (near the main bus stop) and the UQ Lakes sign both make perfect substitutes, they’re easier to reach and still give you that unmistakable UQ moment to finish your session.
Munro Soccer Fields/William Dart Park
So this location isn't quite on campus, but it is a short 10-minute walk away. This gorgeous spot lined with Jacaranda trees is perfect during spring.
There are so many other great hidden spots around UQ that can make your session feel unique; from quiet gardens and shaded walkways to unexpected corners of the campus you may have never noticed. Combined with the iconic Great Court, UQ Lakes, faculty buildings, and the UQ signs, your graduation photos can be as varied, personal, and memorable as your time at uni.
No matter which spots you choose, your session will capture not just your achievement, but also the places that made your university journey truly yours.
