Family stays together, and we stay with them
Located in Herston, South Brisbane and inside the Queensland Children’s Hospital, our Houses offer families a warm, supportive space to stay just steps away from the hospital. Families with an ill or injured child, and expectant mothers facing high-risk pregnancies, can stay together and focus on what matters most.
Each night, up to 51 families call Ronald McDonald House Herston home. Close to the medical facilities of the Royal Brisbane & Women’s Hospital and a short drive to the Queensland Children’s Hospital our Herston House consists of two large houses side-by-side, with a range of great facilities and communal areas available for all guests to use.
Directly opposite the Queensland Children’s Hospital and Mater Mothers’ Hospital, our South Brisbane House can sleep up to 87 families each night. The House opened in 2016 in response to the overwhelming need for safe, reliable short and long-term accommodation for families travelling to Brisbane for their child’s medical treatment.
Located on Level 5 of Queensland Children’s Hospital, our House is a warm and supportive home-away-from-home for families who are inpatients at the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit. Our aim is to give parents and carers of critically ill children peace of mind, knowing that they are close-by to comfort their child whenever they are needed. This small but comfortable and modern facility, has 10 guest rooms, a kitchenette, communal pantry and a lounge area.
If you’re an Australian resident, we encourage you to first apply for your state or territory’s patient travel subsidy.
This allows us to provide the best support for your stay. You can view all state and territory patient travel subsidies here.
If you live overseas, skip to step 2.
What you’ll need
This form takes about 10 minutes. It’s helpful to have:
Who can complete this form
This form can be completed by:
Keeping the family together can be extremely tough without support, which is why we offer accommodation for families with seriously ill or injured children (up to the age of 18) who need to travel to their child’s treating hospital in Brisbane. Our Houses also supports families with mothers who are going experiencing high risk pregnancies and who need to stay close to the hospital until their babies are born.
We try to accommodate the needs of families where we can, but this is always subject to availability.
If you have not stayed with us before your referring hospital Patient Travel team or social workers will be able to request a booking on your behalf. Otherwise complete the “How to apply” steps above.
If you have stayed with us before then you can contact us directly to request a booking by phone:
All stays at our Ronald McDonald House in Queensland Children’s Hospitals are managed by the Paediatric Intensive Care team on the basis of family needs.
We understand that reaching out to us often happens during a stressful and uncertain time for families. Once we receive your enquiry, our team will review the information provided and confirm whether we have availability that matches your family’s needs and treatment location.
A team member may contact you if we need any additional details before confirming your stay, such as treatment dates, referral information or patient travel subsidy details. Booking confirmations are subject to availability and the clinical and accommodation needs of families at the time.
Booking confirmation
If your stay can be accommodated, we will contact you with your booking confirmation and the key details you need before arrival. This may include your House location, check-in information, parking details, what to bring, and anything else relevant to your stay.
If your treatment dates, travel plans or accommodation needs change, please contact us as soon as possible so we can update your booking and support other families who may also need accommodation.
What to expect on arrival
When you arrive, a member of our team will welcome you, support you through check-in, and help you get settled. You will be asked to read and sign the Guest Agreement, which outlines the shared expectations that help keep the House safe, respectful and comfortable for all families.
Our team will also show you around the House and explain how to access the shared facilities, including kitchens, laundry, lounges and family spaces, and answer any questions you may have about your stay.
We know that arriving at Ronald McDonald House often happens at a challenging time. Our aim is to make the arrival process as simple, clear and welcoming as possible so your family can settle in quickly and stay close to your child’s care.
Practical information
What to bring
Please bring your essential personal items, medications, and anything your child may need during the stay. Linen and towels are provided.
If your plans change
If your treatment dates, travel plans or accommodation needs change, please contact the House as soon as possible so we can update your booking request.
Arriving outside standard hours
If you expect to arrive later than planned, please let our team know so we can provide guidance on the best arrival process.
Parking and access
On site parking is extremely limited and we cannot guarantee a car space for every family that visits our House. Further details about parking and accessing the House will be provided as part of your booking confirmation.
Shared living environment
Our Houses are shared spaces used by many families who are going through difficult circumstances. We ask all guests to help us maintain a safe, respectful and welcoming environment for everyone.
Our Houses
Our Houses are designed to provide more than accommodation. They are a place where families can stay together, maintain some normal routines, and feel supported while their child is receiving medical care.
In general you will be able to stay with us while your child is receiving hospital care (either and as an inpatient or outpatient) at a Brisbane hospital.
Being forced to move your family far from home, work, school and your entire support network due to a child’s illness or injury is extraordinarily tough. Our Houses have a wonderful community spirit, where you’ll be able to connect with other families going through experiences similar to your own. Our communal facilities also provide families with the independence to be able to prepare meals for themselves and keep up with day-to-day living as much as possible.
