Standing in a heritage-listed dry dock from the 1870s, surrounded by historic vessels, I realised this isn’t your typical museum. The Queensland Maritime Museum sprawls across indoor galleries and outdoor dock areas where you can climb aboard HMAS Diamantina, a World War II frigate that’s the last of her kind in original condition. The museum houses ship models, nautical equipment, and Jessica Watson’s Pink Lady, the yacht she sailed around the world solo at 16.
Quick answer
The Queensland Maritime Museum costs $18 for adults, with concessions at $12 and children (5 to 15 years) at $8. Children under 5 enter free. A family pass (two adults plus two to three children) costs $45. The museum opens Wednesday to Sunday, 10am to 4:15pm, with entry doors closing at 3:15pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays). You can book tickets online or purchase at the entrance. The museum is located on the southern bank of the Brisbane River at South Bank, beside Goodwill Bridge.
At a glance
| Price | Opening hours | Address | Free for | Last entry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18 adults, $45 family pass | Wed–Sun 10am–4:15pm (entry closes 3:15pm) | 412 Stanley Street, South Brisbane QLD 4101 | Children under 5 | 3:15pm |
How much does the Queensland Maritime Museum cost?
The museum is independently operated and relies on admission fees rather than government funding.
| Ticket type | Price (checked December 2025) | Who qualifies |
|---|---|---|
| General admission | $18.00 | Adults |
| Concession | $12.00 | Seniors, students, pensioners |
| Child | $8.00 | Ages 5 to 15 |
| Family pass | $45.00 | Two adults plus two to three children |
| Children under 5 | Free | With paying adult |
Your ticket grants access to all static exhibits, the dry dock, and the opportunity to board HMAS Diamantina, the steam tug Forceful, and the pearling lugger Penguin. A complimentary audio guide is available from reception. The museum occasionally offers special events and evening programs which may have separate pricing.
Is the Queensland Maritime Museum free to enter?
No. There are no free entry periods or discount days. The museum operates as an independent institution without substantial government funding, so admission fees support ongoing conservation and educational programs.
Children under 5 enter free, which is the only complimentary access available. The museum doesn’t participate in free museum days that some government-funded institutions offer.
What time does the Queensland Maritime Museum open?
The museum operates on a specific schedule that excludes the first part of the week.
Wednesday to Sunday: 10am to 4:15pm (entry doors close 3:15pm)
Closed: Mondays, Tuesdays, Christmas Eve (24 December), Christmas Day (25 December), Boxing Day (26 December), Good Friday, and Anzac Day (25 April, limited hours)
Last entry is at 3:15pm, one hour before the museum closes. This gives you time to explore without being rushed out. The restriction exists because many exhibits are outdoors in the dry dock area, and closing at 4:15pm allows staff to secure the vessels and outdoor displays.
I visited on a Saturday morning and found it pleasantly quiet until about 11:30am when families started arriving. Weekday visits (Wednesday to Friday) tend to be quieter than weekends.
Do I need to book Queensland Maritime Museum tickets in advance?
As of December 2025, there is no online booking option. You can purchase tickets at the entrance.
Built in a working shipyard
The Queensland Maritime Museum occupies the South Brisbane Dry Dock, a heritage-listed graving dock built in the 1870s. The dock originally measured 95 metres long and 18 metres wide. In 1887, it was extended to 131 metres to accommodate larger vessels. This dock repaired ships that served Queensland’s ports for over a century.
Many of Queensland’s naval and merchant ships were built beneath the nearby Story Bridge between 1940 and 1971, making this location historically appropriate. The Queensland Maritime Museum Association, run by volunteers, established the museum in 1973.
The main exhibition building previously served as the “Pavilion of Promise” at World Expo 88. This two-level structure houses ship models, maritime artifacts, and the Lighthouse Gallery showing the evolution of coastal beacons from oil wick burners to laser lights.
Walking through Queensland’s maritime history
HMAS Diamantina, a River Class frigate launched in 1944, sits in the dry dock. She’s the only frigate of her class remaining in her original wartime configuration. You can board the vessel and explore the mess decks, engine room, bridge, and crew quarters. Naval memorabilia throughout shows what life was like for the 177 crew members during World War II and beyond.
The steam tug Forceful, built in Glasgow in 1925, served Brisbane port for 45 years. At 37 metres long, she’s the only remaining working coal-fired steam tug in Queensland. During World War II, the Royal Australian Navy requisitioned her as HMAS Forceful, armed with machine guns. Currently laid up for repairs, she’s berthed at the museum wharf but boarding may be restricted depending on restoration work.
The pearling lugger Penguin dates from 1907. Built on Thursday Island, she represents the Torres Strait pearling industry. During World War II, Americans used her for operations in the Pacific. The vessel shows the maritime connection between Queensland and its northern waters.
Jessica Watson’s Pink Lady sits inside the exhibition building. Watson sailed this 10-metre yacht around the world in 210 days, becoming the youngest person to circumnavigate the globe solo, unassisted, and non-stop. At 16, she completed the journey in 2010. The yacht’s modest size makes the achievement even more remarkable.
The Lighthouse Gallery displays the former Bulwer Island Light, which operated at the mouth of the Brisbane River from 1912 to 1983. This white octagonal wooden tower covered in corrugated iron sits outside the museum. Inside, exhibits show how lighthouse technology developed over 150 years.
Ship models fill display cases throughout the building. Historical sailing ships, merchant vessels, modern container ships, tankers, and cruise liners show Queensland’s maritime evolution. Some models are incredibly detailed, built to precise scale with rigging and deck fittings.
What’s included with your ticket
Your admission includes access to all indoor exhibits, the South Brisbane Dry Dock, boarding HMAS Diamantina, boarding the steam tug Forceful (when available), boarding the pearling lugger Penguin, Jessica Watson’s Pink Lady, the Lighthouse Gallery, ship model collections, complimentary audio guide, and maritime library (documents and photographs).
Not included are special event tickets, food or drinks (limited availability on site), and guided tours (check with reception for availability).
Things to do near Queensland Maritime Museum
South Bank Parklands (immediate area) – Seventeen hectares of riverside parklands with Streets Beach (Australia’s only inner-city beach), rainforest walks, bougainvillea-covered arbour, Nepalese peace pagoda, restaurants, and weekend markets.
Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA) (350 metres, 5-minute walk) – Contemporary art gallery focusing on Australian, Asian, and Pacific art. Angular glass and concrete building with frequently changing exhibitions. Free general admission.
Queensland Museum Kurilpa (400 metres, 5-minute walk) – Queensland’s main museum covering natural history, science, and Queensland history. Free general admission, though some special exhibitions charge.
Goodwill Bridge (adjacent) – Pedestrian and cycle bridge connecting South Bank to Brisbane CBD and City Botanic Gardens. Built in 2001, spans 500 metres across Brisbane River. River views and good spot for photos.
Queensland Performing Arts Centre (500 metres, 7-minute walk) – Queensland’s largest arts venue with Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Playhouse, and Cremorne Theatre. Check schedule for shows ranging from musicals to opera.
Practical tips
Getting there: South Bank train station is a 7-minute walk. City buses stop at Mater Hospital (5-minute walk). CityCat ferry to South Bank terminals. Parking at South Bank car parks (expensive). Walking from Brisbane CBD via Victoria Bridge takes 15 minutes.
Time needed: Two to three hours to see everything properly. HMAS Diamantina alone takes 45 minutes if you’re reading information panels. Budget 30 minutes for ship models and galleries, plus time for other vessels.
Photography: Allowed for personal use throughout the museum and vessels. The dry dock with HMAS Diamantina makes for striking photos. Bring a wide-angle lens if you want to capture the full vessels.
Accessibility: The museum has wheelchair access to most areas, though boarding historic vessels involves steep stairs and narrow passages unsuitable for wheelchairs. The main exhibition building and outdoor dry dock viewing areas are accessible.
Crowds: Quietest on weekday mornings (Wednesday to Friday before 11am). Busiest on Saturday afternoons and during school holidays. The museum’s size means it rarely feels oppressively crowded.
Facilities: Basic cafe on site with limited menu. Restrooms available. Gift shop stocks maritime books and souvenirs. South Bank Parklands (immediate area) has numerous cafes and restaurants.
FAQs
How long does it take to see the museum? Two to three hours covers everything properly. You could rush through in 90 minutes but boarding HMAS Diamantina and exploring thoroughly deserves more time.
Can you board all the vessels? HMAS Diamantina and Penguin are fully accessible. Forceful boarding depends on restoration status. Check when booking or upon arrival.
Is Jessica Watson’s yacht the actual boat? Yes, Pink Lady is the original 10-metre yacht Watson sailed around the world. Seeing its modest size in person makes the achievement more impressive.
Why closed Mondays and Tuesdays? The museum operates with limited funding and volunteer support. Reduced opening days help manage costs while still providing good public access Wednesday through Sunday.
Is parking expensive? South Bank parking costs around $15 to $25 per day depending on car park. Public transport is more economical. Consider train, bus, or CityCat ferry.
More Queensland travel
Other Queensland travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Should you visit Eumundi Markets on Wednesday or Saturday?
- A guide to walking in Bunya Mountains National Park.
- Six reasons to visit K’gari (formerly Fraser Island).
- Plan your visit to the Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary in Brisbane.
- Guide to Old Government House in Brisbane.
