Commissariat Store Museum

The basics

There’s a charge to visit the Commissariat Store Museum, with an audio tour available to download for free through an app. Relics of the museum’s brutal past include leg irons worn by convicts, a jar of fingers supposedly cut off so convicts could escape hard labor, and objects from the daily life of Queensland’s wealthier inhabitants. There are also archaeological relics, a panorama of Moreton Bay, and models of early colonial homes alongside rotating special exhibitions. The first two stories of the building are from 1829: the top floor was added later, in 1913.

Things to know before you go

• The Commissariat Store Museum is a great choice for history buffs interested in learning about the Moreton Bay Penal Settlement.

• When staff is available, the museum offers guided tours for free.

• There is wheelchair access to the building from William Street, as well as a wheelchair-accessible bathroom and an elevator.

How to get there

The Commissariat Store Museum sits in the Queen’s Wharf area of Brisbane’s Central Business District, about a 15-minute walk southwest of Central railway station. The nearest parking lot is at the Myer Centre, a 5-minute walk away, or you can catch the ferry to North Quay, a short walk from the waterfront.

When to get there

The Commissariat Store Museum is open Tuesday through Friday, from mid-morning to mid-afternoon. It’s rarely busy, so you can stop by at a time that suits you.

Discovering historic Brisbane

Founded as a penal settlement in 1824, Brisbane has a fascinating history. The Old Windmill, built with sails so heavy that convicts had to operate a treadmill to power it, is Queensland’s oldest building. Outside the city, Historic Ormiston House (open on Sundays only) is an 1860s estate with views over Moreton Bay. For cultural enthusiasts, head to the enormous Brisbane City Hall for neoclassical and art deco architecture.