Queensland Maritime Museum facts for kids
 |
|
| Established | 1971 |
|---|---|
| Location | Brisbane, Australia |
| Type | Queensland history, Maritime history, Maritime archaeology |
| Visitors | 35,000 visitors per annum |
The Queensland Maritime Museum is a cool place to visit in Brisbane, Australia. It's located right on the southern bank of the Brisbane River. You can find it near the South Bank Parklands and the Queensland Cultural Centre. It's also close to the Goodwill Bridge.
This museum first opened its doors in 1971. It has a big building with two floors full of amazing exhibits. You can see models of old sailing ships and modern cargo ships. There are also models of tankers and even cruise liners. The museum building was once the "Pavilion of Promise" at World Expo 88.
The museum also includes the South Brisbane Dry Dock. This dock was built in the 1870s. It was originally 95 meters (313 feet) long and 18 meters (60 feet) wide. In 1887, it was made even longer, reaching 131 meters (430 feet). This was because ships were getting bigger!
Inside the museum, there's a library. It holds many old documents, pictures, and items about sea history. You can also see old maps that show how early sailors drew accurate charts. The museum also shares stories about the more than 1,500 shipwrecks that have happened along the Queensland coast. This includes shipwrecks near the famous Great Barrier Reef.
Amazing Ships to See
The museum is home to several interesting vessels. These ships help tell the story of Queensland's maritime past.
_berthed_under_the_Goodwill_Bridge.jpg)
One of the main attractions is the HMAS Diamantina. This ship is a River Class frigate. It is located in the South Brisbane Dry Dock. Visitors can go on board and see a collection of items from the Australian Navy.
Another important ship is the steam tug Forceful. This tugboat is 37 meters (121 feet) long. It is the only working coal-fired steam tug left in Queensland. It was built in 1925 in Glasgow, Scotland. During World War II, the Royal Australian Navy used it. It was even armed with machine guns. The Forceful is currently undergoing repairs.
You can also see the "Penguin" at the museum. This is a special type of Torres Strait pearling lugger. It was used by Americans during World War II. The museum also has the small dinghy from General Douglas MacArthur's motor yacht, "Shangri-La."
The Light Ship Carpentaria is also on display. This unique ship once served as a floating lighthouse.
Bright Lights: The Story of Lighthouses
The museum has a special exhibit about lighthouses. It shows how lighthouse technology has changed over time. You can learn about old oil wick burners and compare them to modern equipment.
Outside the museum, you can see the former Bulwer Island Light. This lighthouse stood at Bulwer Island near the mouth of the Brisbane River. It operated from 1912 until 1983. It is a white, eight-sided wooden tower. Its roof is red.
Other parts of lighthouses are also on display. These include the original lens from Archer Point Light. You can also see parts from the Bustard Head Light and the Cape Don Light. The Cape Don Light is from the Northern Territory.
Gallery
-
Pearling Lugger "Penguin"
-
Steam tug "Forceful"
