SITE PARTNER:  

Queensland Maritime Museum

South Brisbane

Updated: Sep 25, 2025

You don’t have to be a ship enthusiast to visit the Queensland Maritime Museum, which offers a fascinating insight into Queensland's seafaring history from its site on the Brisbane river.

Staffed by mostly ex-naval and maritime workers, between them they have a wealth of knowledge and are always delighted to explain the finer points of the exhibits.

The star attraction is the hulking great navy frigate Diamantina which was commissioned in 1945 and sits in the South Brisbane dry dock, which itself is a historic rarity. Once Brisbane’s riverbanks around the city area were littered with working wharves as the boat was the chief form of transport in the colonial days. This granite and Helidon sandstone dry dock was built between 1876 and 1881, when it opened.

Brisbane River view from Queensland Maritime Museum

Tours of the Diamantina itself are taken with a guide and are only suited to those who can negotiate cramped spaces and ladders. If time permits it’s worth taking, for an insight into both how the ship operates, the mock-up of the compromised living conditions of the ship’s crew during life at sea and to view signed Japanese surrender papers from the end of the war.

The museum itself has a fantastic collection of model boats and ships from throughout history and those associated with the discovery and history of Australia, a map pinpointing 200 of Queensland’s shipwrecks, the 1925 tug boat Forceful, cannons from the battle of Trafalgar and one of the smallest sailing boats ever to circumnavigate the world - the Happy II - sailed by owner Howard Wayne Smith as a replacement for Happy which was wrecked on a Noumea reef.

Diamantina boat at Queensland Maritime Museum

Need to know - The Museum can be hired out for functions - from the whole museum to the quarterdeck of the Diamantina, the Old Workshop or Goodwill Lawn.

Bottom image: courtesy of Queensland Maritime Museum Facebook page

Queensland Maritime Museum

Sth Brisbane Dry Dock

Cnr Stanley & Sidon Streets

South Brisbane

Opening hours

3844 5361

Map

412 Stanley St, South Brisbane QLD 4101

Top Things To Do In Brisbane This Week

Archie Moore's kith and kin makes its Australian premiere at GOMA
A turbo-charged, Olivier and Tony Award-winning comedy smash
Stories and music create the unforgettable - as Camerata has captured
Brisbane Writers Festival has launched its 2025 program
One of Australia’s and Brisbane’s very own great lyric soprano, Leanne Kenneally
Bringing together the best of Australian rodeo, campdrafting & country hospitality
Milton House Spring Social is a four weekend pop-up bar
The Plantapalooza plant festival returns to the Saturday Fresh Market
Step inside the world of Waltzing the Wilarra, a powerful, entertaining and music-filled night
EDITOR'S PICK

Best Picnic Spots Around Brisbane

When it comes to picnic spots, Brisbane offers no shortage of stunning locations to lay out a rug and soak up the spring sunshine. Here's 8 of the best
Best Picnic Spots in Brisbane
MUST DO

Brisbane Writers Festival

Brisbane Writers Festival (BWF) unveils an exciting new chapter with a star-studded program of events, held for the first time at the Brisbane Powerhouse
Brisbane Writers Festival 2025
THIS WEEKEND

Top Things to Do Oct 3-6

From a 2 day CelticFest, The Veronicas at The Triffid. a stunning art exhibition and Oktoberfest at Eat Street to a mega country music festival, the top things to do this long weekend
This Weekend Oct 3-6
COMING UP

What's on in November in & around Brisbane

From Brisbane's top foodie night feast, Halloween at Eat Street, 2-day chilli festival, Melbourne Cup events and Supanova ComicCon to a free pop up riverside concert, what's on in November
What's On in November 2025
MUST SEE

Recovered Futures Art Exhibition

A huge exhibition showcasing 300 stunning works from more than 217 artists with lived mental health experience is taking over King George Square
Recovered Futures
HOT TICKET

The Long Sunset

After a massive sellout in 2024, The Long Sunset is back - and this year it’s setting up camp in Boonah for 3 unforgettable days
The Long Sunset
THE GUIDE

September School Holiday Guide

Spring into the September school holidays with these fantastic activities, shows and events in and around Brisbane
September School Holidays 2025
BEST OF BRISBANE

50+ Best Restaurants in Brisbane

Looking for the best restaurants in Brisbane? Then check out this guide for the must-do dining experiences from the city to the suburbs
Best Restaurants in Brisbane
A wild ride through love, lust & lunacy!
CONTENT RESUMES ON SCROLL
ADVERTISEMENT