The Queensland Maritime Museum is a South Bank museum where you can walk through HMAS Diamantina, a World War II River Class frigate. It sits at the southern end of South Bank Parklands, beneath the Goodwill Bridge, and is open Wednesday to Sunday.
Much of the site is in the open air, so it suits kids who like real ships and anyone wanting a history stop on a South Bank day.
Step aboard HMAS Diamantina
Diamantina is the star. She was built in Maryborough and commissioned into the Royal Australian Navy in 1945, and you can board her at her berth in the dry dock.
On the quarterdeck you stand where Japanese garrisons on Nauru Island and Ocean Island signed their surrender documents at the end of the war. Disabled access onto the ship is limited to the main deck.
South Brisbane Dry Dock
The museum sits in the heritage-listed South Brisbane Dry Dock, which opened in 1881 and was lengthened by 1887. It was extremely busy during World War II, when navy ships were repaired here.
Once the dock closed, the site became the museum’s home, and Diamantina took up her permanent berth in it in 1981.
Boats, a light ship and a lighthouse
The collection runs from the steam tug Forceful, built in 1925, to the pearling lugger Penguin, which the Americans used in World War II. The red Carpentaria Light Ship sits in the dock beside Diamantina.
Inside, the lighthouse displays include the original lens of the Archer Point Light, the lens and apparatus from the Cape Don Light in the Northern Territory and the pedestal and gearbox of the Bustard Head Light. Out in the grounds, the former Bulwer Island Lighthouse tower guided ships near the mouth of the Brisbane River from 1912 until 1983.
More to look for
Visit Brisbane also lists a World War II commando kayak, a builder’s model of the passenger ship Otranto and Jessica Watson’s yacht Pink Lady among the displays. There are public toilets, an Interactive Centre and a picnic area on site, so it is easy to fit in a snack stop between ships.
Tickets and opening hours
The museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10 am to 4:15 pm, with last admission at 3:15 pm. It is closed on 24 to 26 December, New Year’s Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day.
- Adult: $18
- Child (under 15): $8
- Family (2 adults and up to 3 children under 15): $42 to $50
- Pensioner, senior and student with a valid card: $15
Tickets are bought at the entrance. Check the museum’s ticket page before you go.
Planning your visit
- Cost: $18 for adults, $8 for children; see above for family and concession prices.
- What to bring: a hat, sunscreen and comfortable shoes. Much of the site is outdoors.
- Accessibility: most of the museum has disabled access, with ramp or lift access to much of it. Access to Diamantina is limited to the main deck.
- Events: the museum runs exhibitions and events such as Twilight Jazz by the River. See its events page.
Getting there and parking
The museum is about 4 km by road from the Brisbane CBD, about 10 minutes by car without traffic. An underground car park in South Bank Parklands is a 5 minute walk away.
By public transport, trains on the Beenleigh and Cleveland lines stop at South Bank Station, and buses stop at Mater Hill and South Bank. The museum is within walking distance of the CityCat and CityHopper ferry terminals. You can also walk from the city across the pedestrian-only Goodwill Bridge. Plan a trip with the Translink Journey Planner.
See the museum’s visit page for more. Details can change, so check before you go.
Nearby
- South Bank Parklands – the museum is at the southern end, so pair it with a walk and a play.
- Streets Beach – the swimming lagoon a short walk along the river.
- Queensland Museum Kurilpa – a free museum with dinosaurs, a few minutes away.
- Gallery of Modern Art – free entry across the Cultural Centre precinct.
- QPAC – the theatres next door to the Cultural Centre.
- Kangaroo Point Cliffs Lookout – cross the Goodwill Bridge for city views.
Browse more museums and Brisbane days out.
You might also like
- Museum of Brisbane (Brisbane City)
- Brisbane Planetarium (Toowong)
- Brisbane Tramway Museum (Ferny Grove)
Quick answers
How much is the Queensland Maritime Museum?
Adults pay $18 and children under 15 pay $8. A family ticket is $42 to $50, and pensioners, seniors and students with a card pay $15.
What days is the Queensland Maritime Museum open?
Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 4:15 pm, with last admission at 3:15 pm.
Can you go on HMAS Diamantina?
Yes, you can board her at her berth in the dry dock. Disabled access is limited to the main deck.
Where is the Queensland Maritime Museum?
On the corner of Stanley and Sidon Streets, South Brisbane, beneath the Goodwill Bridge at the southern end of South Bank Parklands.
How do I get to the Queensland Maritime Museum by public transport?
Take the Beenleigh or Cleveland train line to South Bank Station, or a bus to Mater Hill or South Bank. The museum is also a short walk from the CityCat and CityHopper ferry terminals.
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