Opening hours: General

9.00 am -1.30 pm (9.00 - 13.30)

Closed Sundays

Closed Australia Day, Easter Friday, Anzac Day

Closed 19 December 2024 - 1 January 2025. Reopens 2 January 2025.

Please note - This museum is operated by volunteers and occasionally may not open or  close early if problems arise outside of our control.

Admission fees

Adult $12

Concession $8

Child (3-14 years) and school student $6

Family $20

School groups $6 per student, accompanying teachers, parents and carers free

Payment by EFTPOS or cash

Free admission: Seafarers (crew of ships), military personnel, fire and emergency services, police, carers

Location

42-68 Palmer Street, South Townsville. Main entrance located 190 m beyond the traffic circle (with the red lighthouse structure) on the left-hand (north) side of the street,

Palmer Street was named after Sir Arthur Hunter Palmer (1819-1898), pastoralist, politician and Queensland Premier.

Image source: Wikipedia

How to get to the Museum

• Private transport: Free street parking for vehicles and motorcycles is available on Palmer Street (maximum two hours) or in the Museum’s car park just beyond the roundabout (free)
• Buses: Are allowed to park across the vehicle parking bays on the north side of Palmer Street
• 13Cabs: 132227
• Checker Cabs: 13 19 74
• Translink bus: Route 208 from the city centre via Palmer Street. Most other bus routes begin and end in the city centre, from where it is only a short walk across Ross Creek to the Museum.
• Sealink ferry: From the Breakwater Ferry Terminal it is a short walk across Ross Creek to the Museum. The Breakwater Ferry Terminal also is used by Townsville Taxis, Sunbus Routes 200 and 201 and the Greyhound bus service.
• Magnetic Island Ferries: The barge terminal in Ross Street is about 600 m from the Museum
• Quayside Terminal (cruise ships): 1 km from the Museum

Museum Guide

Download our Museum Guide to start planning your visit. This Guide contains a map of the Museum that shows the various areas and exhibitions

Download Museum Guide

Photos and videos

You can take photos and videos for personal and non-commercial use only. We would appreciate seeing the museum through your eyes, so please share your photos and videos with us on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Accessibility and Footwear

The Museum has ramp and boardwalk access to all its buildings and is accessible for people using wheelchairs and walkers.

 There are male and female accessible toilets in the Seafarers’ Gallery and a toilet for People With Disabilities next to the Model Ship Gallery.

There are no specific footwear requirements.

Gift shop

There is a small gift shop in the Reception area where you can purchase souvenirs, books, DVDs and other merchandise.

Eating and drinking

The Museum does not provide food but visitors can purchase bottled water and soft drinks at Reception.

Palmer Street has a range of places that provide food and beverages, ranging from pubs to more upmarket restaurants, all within walking distance from the Museum. Eateries that offer mid-day lunches include:

• Masala Indian Cuisine (Friday)
• Aalishan Indian Restaurant (Thursday to Saturday)
• Simply Tops Seafood Bar (Daily)
• Australian Hotel (pub lunches daily)
• Grill'd (Daily)
• Bayview Bistro and Grill
• Oaks Metropole (Daily)
• Rydges (Daily)
• Indian Royal Flavours (Daily)
• Palmer's Bar and Kitchen (Tuesday-Sunday)

Other facilities

A number of benches on the boardwalk allows you to relax during your visit, enjoying the view of Ross Creek.

 At the other end of the Museum there are tables and benches.

Information for carers and other visitors

Carers have free admission to the Museum. Please present your carer’s card or companion card at Reception.

Members of Australian and foreign military services have free admission; also Port of Townsville employees and employees of the police, fire and emergency services. Please provide evidence.

Mariners (sailors) serving with merchant navies also have free admission. Ask the Mission for Seafarers office at the Port of Townsville for a free admission voucher.

Animals

The Museum welcomes companion dogs and also guide dogs.