See the HMS Pandora Replica at the Museum of Tropical Queensland

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The Museum of Tropical Queensland is situated in Flinders Street East, next door to the complex that houses Reef HQ.

The Great Gallery

It seems fitting to me that this museum, which most would associate almost wholly with the HMS Pandora who now lays in a watery grave, is situated right on the banks of the Ross Creek, itself home to many a sailing boat. In fact directly across the creek is the Yacht Club. A lot of people, even Townsvillians (like me) refer to this creek that flows through the CBD and out past the Entertainment Centre and Casino, as the Ross River, but it is in fact the Ross Creek. The Ross River flows out into the ocean just a little further South.

The Great Gallery features a life-size replica of the bow of HMS Pandora – as I walked up the stairs from the entrance and museum shop, the Pandora replica filled my entire line of vision and grabbed my attention.

HMS Pandora replica in the Great Gallery - Museum of Tropical Queensland — HMS Pandora replica in the Great Gallery – Museum of Tropical Queensland

The huge windows of the Great Gallery have startlingly good views of Ross Creek, while Castle Hill and the City are framed through the doors that access the outside deck. As well as the imposing Pandora replica, the huge space holds a small cafe, and table and chairs.

Run Out the Gun

At 11 am and 2.30 pm you can be part of the Gun Team on HMS Pandora and load and fire a cannon, just the way they did in the 1790s! (But you must be 8 years old and over and be wearing closed in shoes).

HMS Pandora

The HMS Pandora section of the Museum is one of the most interesting museum displays I have seen. There are actual items from the wreck on display behind glass, and there are audio and visual presentations. Allow an hour for this section alone. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I am NOT a museum lover.

I also particularly liked the Discover Tropical Queensland section.

But wait there is more:

An enchanted forest display around a recreated Quandong tree,
The Langley Collection of Diving Helmets,
A Mind Zone with interactive science displays.

Top is the Quandong Tree. Bottom is Mindzone. Is there a hand on that fruit?

I give the Museum a thumbs up for families – the kids will love the interactive displays.

What was the HMS Pandora doing when she sunk?

She had been sent by the British Admiralty to find another ship The Bounty who had been overtaken by mutineers. She did find some of the Bounty crew and they were locked in the hold of the Pandora – Pandora’s Box. When she ran aground on 29/8/1791 120 km east of Cape York, North Queensland, 31 crew and 4 prisoners died. 89 crew and 10 prisoners assembled on a sand cay after the wreck and sailed for Timor in 4 open boats. They arrived in Kupang on 16/9/1791. Due to deaths only 78 returned home.