Scenic Rim Museums

Canungra Information and Historical Centre

This 125-year old village is the gateway to Binna Burra Mountain Lodge, O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat and the magnificent Lost World Valley. See the historic Lahey Tramway Tunnel and enjoy Canungra’s wineries, hang gliding, arts, craft s and cafes.

The centre has a small display of historical items, photographs and reference books. A replica of the George Sirett Bullock Wagon and a German Wagon are on display outside the centre.

See also “The Artists Hut”, a replica of the hut in which local artist Edwin Bode (1859 – 1926) lived and painted his beautiful watercolours.

Lahey’s Canungra Tramway Tunnel is 1 km from Canungra and is all that remains from the regions rich timber history.

T 07 5543 5156

Tamborine Mountain Heritage Centre

Located in Wongawallen Road this is a small historic pioneer village where you can catch a glimpse into the lives of the early settlers. Featuring buildings from the local area, the Tamborine Mountain Heritage Centre contains interesting displays which depict the history of Tamborine Mountain.

Tamborine Mountain was inhabited by Aborigines for tens of thousands of years and was the territory of the Wangerriburra family group. Until it was opened for selection in 1875 it was covered with subtropical rainforest. In that year, the first white settler, John O’Callaghan, selected a parcel of land on the Mountain. The history of both Aboriginal and White settlement is on display.

Exhibitions of pioneer clothing and equipment give you an insight into the resilience and dedication of the early settlers to the region. Visit the slab cottage, the blacksmith’s shop, the general store, dairy and barber shop to get a feel for everyday life in the early 1900s. The centre also features a scale model of an outdoor water wheel. The Mountain’s first church is here, as well as  extensive displays of fashion from the early 1900s.

The village is open on Sundays between 11am – 3pm. It can be viewed from  the car park at any time and is a great photo opportunity. A great example of  one of our Scenic Rim Museums.

T 07 5545 1485

One contains a collection of photographs and documents detailing a comprehensive archive. There are several display of valuable and irreplaceable collectible items. A extensive library, covering a broad spectrum of topics, some by local authors.

Then there is an area which contains a display of dioramas of local interest along with some of our animal drawn vehicles and also a large display of hand tools, many being of local invention and construction showing the ingenuity of our earlysettlers who had to make it or wait years for delivery.

There is a further area  which currently houses industrial equipment – a metal press guillotine, the Gutenberg machinery and a working astrological telescope, made by the founder of Lithgow Iron Works who later established Port Kembla Iron Works. An extensive representation of what the Scenic Rim Museums have to offer.

T 07 5541 3740

54 Brisbane St, Beaudesert, QLD, 4285
Open daily.

Operating Hours:
OPEN DAILY: 10.00 AM – 2.00 PM
CLOSED: Good Friday & Christmas Day

Entry Costs:
Adults …………………………………$7.50
Concession …………………………$6.00
Children ……………………………..$2.00 (must be accompanied by an adult)

A rural museum which exhibits the history of the region.

Currently there are 14 historic buildings in the precinct and each one displays local artifacts. There are fashions of the 1900s, irons, meat safes, cameras, medical memorabilia, war memorabilia  farming history and much much more.

Templin is located within a thriving rural environment where over the years the community has been involved in a diverse range of agricultural products including  milk, vegetables, grain and meat for local, national and international markets.

The original school and playshed were the first buildings but slowly over the years, more and more buildings were moved to the site and used to display a wide range of artifacts. There’s an 1879 slab hut, built by Carl Stumer at Milford for his wife and seven children. There’s the Cannon Creek Church of England, built in 1911 for a cost of 75 pounds. The Goolman Shire Council building has been moved to Templin, as has the Fraserview School, which is now set up with war memorabilia and as an early ward of the Boonah Hospital.

An old farm dairy features wooden butter boxes and an early separator. A great example of what the Scenic Rim Museums have to offer.

Historical Village

Boonah Fassifern Rd, Templin
Open Sunday from 9.30am to 3.30pm, or by appointment.
Bus groups are welcome. Toilets, wheelchair accessible.
Entry to the Village costs $7 for adults, $3 for children and $15 for families.

T 07 5463 1970

Heritage Precinct of Wiss Bross Store c.1909 and Dwelling c.1890

T 07 5463 7999

Rathdowney Information Centre and Historical Museum

Gateway to the wilderness areas of Mount Barney National Park. Rathdowney has an interesting Visitor Information Centre and Historical Museum. Here you can stock up on maps, brochures and suggested itineraries that will guide your exploration of this vibrant rural community and its incredible natural attractions.

The Rathdowney Historical Museum pays tribute to the pioneering men and women of the area.

The Museum, which is staffed by volunteers, recently won a Q150 grant which has been used to create a permanent exhibition profiling the women who from the 1850s onwards worked hard and overcame adversity to make a life in this rural area.

The Museum features a diorama of the tramway, as well as displays of the local hardwood timber gathered from the area.

Information on the local historical homes is displayed as well as a range of photographs from the different eras.

The Museum is connected to the Visitor Information Centre.

82 Mt Lindesay Highway, Rathdowney
Email: info@rathdowney.org.au
Open 9am to 2pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm weekends, school holidays and public holidays. Other times by appointment.
Closed Christmas Day, Good Friday and Anzac Day.
Admission by gold coin donation. Children are free.
Web: www.rathdowney.org.au

T 07 5544 1222

Harrisville 

A village with character, Harrisville has a diverse mix of shops including quaint antique and collectable stores.

Visit the Historic Museum or one of the excellent wineries. Pick up some locally grown organic vegetables, a bunch of native flowers or simply take in the fabulous scenery.

The museum contains a snapshot of local history through memorabilia donated by residents of the district. These artifacts encompass farming, sport, family life, religion, war service etc. etc.
The Historical Society Museum at 54 Queen Street. The building is open on the first and third Sunday of each month from 1-4pm, and houses an array of artefacts which highlight the heritage of the town and surrounding areas. 

Want to see a Rain Gun? The Harrisville Museum has one of only two surviving Rain Guns in Queensland. Visit Harrisville and the other Scenic Rim Museums as you tour the region.

Open 1 -4 on 1st Sunday of each month.

T 07 5464 6518