Permanent Exhibitions | Museum of Tropical Queensland

Our permanent exhibitions showcase aspects of the natural and cultural heritage of North Queensland.

Colour - Secret Language of the Reef

Colour: Secret Language of the Reef, is a new interactive exhibition which explores how coral and marine creatures on the Great Barrier Reef use colour, light, patterns and textures to communicate.

Photograph of Mantis ShrimpPhotograph of Reef Hero activityPhotograph of Coral Explorer display
After decades of research, scientists have a good understanding of the Great Barrier Reefs changing kaleidoscope of colour. Today we know it can indicate the health of the reef, warn of danger, promise partnership and assist in deception and concealment.

Many reef creatures, such as Mantis Shrimp which reflect polarised light from their bodies, use colour and light in ways we are only just beginning to understand to flash secret signals that we will never see without the help of advanced technology.

Proudly supported by South42, Colour: Secret Language of the Reef interprets modern marine science such as the use of robots to explore reefs up to 130 metres below the surface, using modern technology such as a green screen, and showcases some of the museums own internationally renowned coral research and collections.

Colour: Secret Language of the Reef is proudly supported by South42.

South42s support of this exhibition underlines their dedication to educating the wider community about the remarkable natural resource that is the Great Barrier Reef, and how we can all work to preserve its wonder for future generations.

Discover Tropical Queensland Gallery

Explore the environment of North Queensland through time, in the intriguing Discover Tropical Queensland display located on Level Two. A stroll through the gallery will give you a great insight into the natural and cultural heritage of North Queensland.

Discover the creatures that inhabit rainforests and mangroves.
Learn about the creepy crawlies that represent the biodiversity of North Queensland.
Discover the creatures of the Great Barrier Reef, including our collection of Great Barrier Reef hard corals and staghorn corals.
Learn about the giant reptiles who ruled the ancient inland sea.
Spy on the backyard creatures that come to life at night.

Enchanted Rainforest

Learn more about one of our richly diverse North Queensland rainforest environments in The Enchanted Rainforest featuring:

a huge quandong tree including hidden birds and other animals;
light streaming through the rainforest canopy, a rainforest boardwalk and a slide;
an interactive walk-on rainforest floor highlighting the smaller rainforest inhabitants essential to the rainforest ecosystem; and
Indigenous artefacts and stories about how the Nwaigi people use the rainforest resources.

Heritage of Helmets

The Heritage of Helmets exhibition features historic diving helmets and associated equipment used for salvage, pearl shelling, marine science and war.

The majority of the exhibition is from the Langley Collection. This collection was built up over a 30-year period by former abalone diver Greg Langley of Hobart and was donated to Queensland Museum in November 2007 through the Commonwealths Cultural Gifts Program, with further objects donated in June 2008.

This new exhibition includes collection items never before seen on display as well as objects that are not part of the original Langley Collection.

Queensland Museum Network

Pandora Gallery

The Pandora exhibition is the main attraction at the Museum of Tropical Queensland. Visitors will be captivated by the story of the ill-fated HMS Pandora.

Pandora was the ship sent by the British Admiralty to capture the Bounty and her mutinous crew in 1790.

She was on her return voyage when the ship struck the Great Barrier Reef. Although the crew tried desperately to save her, HMS Pandora sank in the early hours of 29 August 1791.

The wreck of HMS Pandora was rediscovered in 1977 and this exhibition provides an insight into maritime life in the 18th century, including:

HMS Pandora, her voyage, crew and prisoners
The terror of the prisoners held inside Pandoras Box as the ship sinks
Unique artefacts recovered from the wreck of the HMS Pandora
First time visitors to the museum should allow at least one hour to enjoy this intriguing exhibition.

Your Shipwreck Adventure

Children can explore the marine life and history of a shipwreck in Your Shipwreck Adventure at the Museum of Tropical Queensland.

Our maritime archaeology exhibition features:

A mysterious underwater setting of a Great Barrier Reef shipwreck
An underwater soundscape and theatrical lighting
Interactive games and activities designed to teach children about the importance of preserving of historic shipwrecks and coral reefs

The exhibition was made possible with generous grants from:
The Ian Potter Foundation
The Tim Fairfax Family Foundation and
The George Alexander Foundation

❊ When ❊

Happens: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday

❊ Where ❊

 Museum of Tropical Queensland View Venue
 70-102 Flinders Street Townsville Queensland 4810 Map

❊ Web Links ❊

→ Permanent Exhibitions | Museum of Tropical Queensland

→ www.mtq.qm.qld.gov.au/

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