At 115 William Street in Brisbane’s CBD, the Commissariat Store Museum explores the city’s convict-era beginnings and Queensland’s colonial history. Convicts built the sandstone storehouse in 1828 and 1829 for the Moreton Bay penal settlement; it is one of Brisbane’s oldest surviving buildings. Inside, exhibits bring early settlement to life through historical objects, including leg irons and a convict’s prosthetic foot. A free guided tour adds context to the displays, and questions are welcome. The museum is open to visitors Tuesday to Friday, so plan your visit for a weekday.
A storehouse built for the penal settlement
The Commissariat Store was built by convict labour between 1828 and 1829, when Brisbane was the Moreton Bay penal settlement. It was constructed to hold and distribute provisions for the settlement. The museum occupies a building that is among Brisbane’s oldest surviving structures and Queensland’s oldest buildings still in use.
The stone walls and iron-barred windows give the former storehouse a clear connection to its original role. Its history continued after the penal settlement: the building was also used as a customs house, a storehouse and a shelter for immigrants. The Royal Historical Society of Queensland has occupied it since 1981, and the museum opened in 1982.
Objects that tell Queensland’s colonial story
Exhibitions use artefacts to explore early Brisbane and the wider history of Queensland. The collection includes objects connected to prison life, such as leg irons and a convict’s prosthetic foot. Other unusual items include a tree carved with the name of a wrecked ship and the full-bottomed wig of Sir Samuel Griffith, who was Queensland’s premier from 1883 to 1888.
The displays also touch on the day-to-day work of the military department and the changing uses of the building. Some exhibitions rotate, so the objects on display can vary. Together, the collection gives visitors a material link to the people and institutions of colonial Brisbane.
Making sense of the displays
A guided tour can help connect individual objects with the history of the city and the building. Tours are free, and guides share accounts of Brisbane’s nineteenth-century development. You can ask questions during the visit, which helps make the displays useful whether you are new to the city’s history or already know Brisbane.
The museum is part of the Royal Historical Society of Queensland’s work, alongside its library and historical research. The society’s library and the museum welcome visitors on weekdays. If you want a tour, arriving at opening time gives you a chance to ask about one, but a guide’s availability is not guaranteed. Set aside time after the tour to look through the exhibits at your own pace.
Preguntas frecuentes
When is the Commissariat Store Museum open?
The museum is open Tuesday to Friday, 10 AM to 4 PM. It is closed Monday and Saturday to Sunday.
Are guided tours available?
Free guided tours are offered, with guides sharing stories about early Brisbane and the museum. Ask about a tour when you arrive; availability can depend on the guides present.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow about 1 to 1.5 hours for a guided tour and time to explore the exhibits.
What can you see at the museum?
The exhibits cover Brisbane’s early settlement and Queensland’s colonial history. Objects include leg irons, a convict’s prosthetic foot and a full-bottomed wig associated with Sir Samuel Griffith.
