The Commissariat Store Museum — Attraction in Brisbane City

The Commissariat Store is a niche museum that specialises in showcasing Queensland’s history. The museum is an initiative of The Royal Historical Society of Queensland and staffed by volunteers from the Society.

The most significant exhibit is the building itself. The Commissariat Store is Queensland’s oldest habitable, and most significant heritage building. The lower two floors of this magnificent building were convict built during 1828 and 1829. The third floor, now the main entrance from William Street was added in 1913.

Upon entering the museum you’ll be greeted by our friendly guides. The top floor contains the first of our rotating exhibitions that feature various aspects of Queensland’s varied and colorful history. The exhibition cabinets continue on the middle floor and feature rotating exhibitions and more permanent exhibitions that explore the colonial period in Queensland’s history. On this floor you’ll find the infamous ‘Convict Finger’.

The ground floor features several handcrafted, detailed models of buildings from the early colony of Queensland. These models are arranged in a street layout. On this floor you’ll also find the latest addition to the Museum, the Moreton Bay Panorama and Tom Petrie interactive displays. You may notice the numbered panels on the ground floor. These panels are numbered from a previous archaeological dig and some of the items from this dig are on display on the...

⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ Had a fantastic experience touring The Commissariat Store Museum! The tour was expertly managed by the wonderful ladies, who brought history to life with their engaging storytelling and deep knowledge. Their passion for the site’s heritage made the experience both informative and enjoyable.

The museum itself offers a fascinating glimpse into Queensland’s colonial past, with well-preserved artifacts and exhibits that highlight its rich history. While some sections could benefit from additional interactive elements, the overall experience was excellent.

Highly recommend for anyone looking to explore Brisbane’s history with an expertly...

Very well run museum mostly staffed by volunteers of the Queensland Historical Society. It is well laid out over three floors with an air conditioned area set for serious research. It is one of only two buildings in Brisbane built by convicts (the other being The Windmill). It provides an excellent introduction to early settlements of Queensland including the Indigenous history. Staff are helpful and knowledgeable. Within an easy walk in the CBD. A bit of a hidden gem and an excellent start for visitors to be introduced to Brisbane and Queensland. Often have interesting speakers. Highly...