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Heritage and Museums

South Burnett Region Timber Industry Museum complex

(Wondai Visitor Information Centre)
80 Haly Street, Wondai
Phone: 07 4168 5652     Email: wondaivic@southburnett.qld.gov.au

Opened in November 2001, the Museum showcases the history of the South Burnett’s timber industry, which underpinned the early settlement of the region and has continued to play an important part in its development.

The traditional timber structure is flanked by life-size sculptures of a bullocky and his head bullocks, an old water-well and post-and-rail fence.  On the eastern end of the building is the stainless steel silhouette of a timbercutter. Inside, the wagon camp diorama, complete with restored bullock wagon, effectively captures the spirit of those involved in the felling and logging of timber in the early 1900s.  Set against authentic wooden slabs and shingles, are displays of South Burnett timbers, artifacts and photos pertaining to the early timber industry in the region.

A well stocked Gift Shop, featuring locally produced woodcraft, forms part of the incorporated Visitor Information Centre.  In the Woodcrafters’ Workshop, constructed beside the Museum in 2003, local woodworkers regularly demonstrate their skills.  A display of over 100 wooden mushrooms highlights the variety of timbers available.

Entry is free with plenty of parking for buses and caravans.  The V.I.C./Timber Museum is open seven days a week from 9.00am to 4.00pm, except for Good Friday, ANZAC morning, Christmas and Boxing Days.

Kingaroy Heritage Museum

(Kingaroy Information Art and Heritage Precinct)
126 Haly Street Kingaroy
Email: kingaroymuseum@southburnett.qld.gov.au
Phone: 07 4162 6275

Formerly the Kingaroy Power House (1925-1952), the Kingaroy Heritage Museum showcases the history of the Kingaroy region under the themes of 'People, Power and Peanuts'.

The early development of town and region is illustrated by informative displays and a large collection of photos. The peanut exhibition area contains machinery and photos of the early development of the peanut industry, including prototypes of national significance, invented by local farmers.

The Museum also has facilities available for study and research, attached to its archive area. Research services are available and a fee applies. A new exhibition and educational area has been developed with the opportunity for the local community and visitors to experience travelling and local exhibitions. School groups can enjoy hands on experiences (with prior booking).

The Museum is open from 9.00am to 4.30pm Mondays to Fridays  and 10.00am to 4.00pm Saturdays,  10.00am to 2.00pm sundays and public holidays (excluding Christmas Day, Boxing Day, Good Friday and ANZAC Day when the complex is closed). Admission is free.

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Wondai Heritage Centre

80 Mackenzie Street, Wondai
Phone: 07 4169 0987

No waiting at this hospital!  Part of the Museum comprises the original Wondai Hospital operating theatre, built in 1929.  With Theatre Sister in attendance, straight jackets, tonsil snares, mouth gags and other ‘interesting’ items on display, along with medical machines such as cardiac, violet ray, skin scanner and diathermy, it is certainly worth a visit.  Adjacent is a complete nursery set-up, with cot, bassinet, baby scales and clothes from a bygone era.

The Museum is also home to the town’s Manual Telephone Exchange and a 1924 Dennis fire engine, used to help fight the “Great Fire” at the Kingaroy peanut silos in 1951.  The “Eric Radunz-Vince Miller Slab Barn”, complete with shingle roof, and a restored Cream Shed full of memorabilia relating to the dairy industry are also sited within the grounds.  The “Vince Miller Collection”, comprising over 300 tools and artifacts, is another drawcard.  Among the articles in the War Memorial Cabinet is an historic bugle which was played at the Japanese First Army Surrender to the Australians aboard ‘HMAS Rockhampton’ in the Dutch East Indies in 1945.

A complete set of “South Burnett Times” dating from 1962 to present day, records from a number of closed one-teacher schools in the shire and numerous local history books and individual stories are popular resources for those researching family histories etc.

The former Oddfellows Hall, built in 1932, also forms part of the Museum complex, displaying interesting household displays, as well as a barber’s shop, early dentist’s chair, lino-type machines and travelling film projectors pertaining to early businesses and entertainment venues in the town.

The Museum is open 10.00am – 4.00pm Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday (excluding public holidays), with other times by prior arrangement.  Entry is $2.00/adult.

Woodcraft  Workshops

Members of the South Burnett Woodcrafters and Wondai Woodworkers demonstrate at the Kingaroy Information Art and Heritage Precinct and the Wondai Woodcrafters' Workshop/South Burnett Timber Museum respectively - offering the opportunity for visitors to view woodcraft demonstrations and purchase ready-made pieces. For more information contact the Kingaroy and Wondai Visitor Information Centres.

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 Dairy and Heritage Museum

Gesslers Road, Murgon
Phone: 07 4168 1499

The  Dairy and Heritage Museum at Murgon recognises the importance of dairying in the early development of Queensland and especially in the South Burnett. Look out for the colourful 'Cavalcade of Cows' - large paintings in the shape of cows affixed to the fence.

While dairying is now almost extinct in many parts of the State, it was once a major rural industry employing tens of thousands of people. It was  one of the foundation industries that helped Murgon spring into being at the turn of the 20th century.

The Museum's displays are housed in the former  Bank of New South Wales building (circa 1920) which was moved to the site in 1986. Separators, milk and cream cans, milkng machines, butter churns, butter boxes, cheese presses ... are all on display. A working three bail dairy with an original milk line (circa 1940) and a herringbone pipeline system are set up in the grounds and available for viewing.

Trinity House (c. 1893), an original Burnett slab construction homestead, and Castra (c. 1904). the first home built in Murgon, have been relocated to the Museum grounds and clearly depict the conditions under which the early pioneers lived. An early 20th century church, recently moved from Hivesville, has been set up as a chapel.

The Museum is open to the public between 9.30am and 12.30pm daily, or by appointment. The Museum welcomes tour groups and is particularly popular with schools. Butter making can be arranged for a small charge. Lunches and morning or afternoon teas are available upon request for a nominal fee.

Boondooma  Homestead - Museum and Heritage Complex

8262 Durong-Mundubbera Road,
Proston Q
Phone: 07 4168 0159

Step back over 150 years and experience what life was like on an isolated station in the early years of Queensland settlement.  The restoration and preservation of the buildings have been carefully and methodically carried out with the approval and guidance of the National Trust. With the buildings being ‘in situ’ (where they were built), coupled with the extensive research undertaken, an authentic picture of early station life has been established.

As with other isolated stations in the early days, the homestead and surrounding acreage was developed with all necessary infrastructure, similar to a small village. While many of the original buildings are no longer in existence, a detailed plan is available of the original layout.   As well as the slab homestead (the restoration of which is now nearing completion, ready for furnishings), other surviving buildings include the Stone Store (believed to be one of the earliest buildings constructed to metric standards in Australia) and Post Office (complete with letter posting hole through the door). 

Artifacts uncovered during the restoration process have been carefully recorded and housed, along with a growing collection of researched material, in a specially constructed Museum.

The annual Heritage Weekend and Bush Ballad Muster held in April attracts a large following.  The complex is open to the public 9.00am to 4.30pm most days (Ph: 4168 0159 to check), with a resident caretaker able to provide guided tours ($5/adult).  Over night grass camping sites are available, with toilet facilities but no showers.

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Ringsfield House Historical Complex

41 – 45 Alfred Street, Nanango
Phone: 07 4163 3345

Ringsfield House was built in 1908 for Mr and Mrs James William Davies Graham. It was designed by noted Queensland Architect Robin Dods and is distinguished by its wide verandahs, bay windows, large, airy bedrooms and built in cupboards.

Ringsfield has enjoyed four lives so far! From 1908 till 1942 it was the private home of the Graham and Sullivan families.  In 1942, the house became the Ringsfield Maternity Hospital. During the hospital’s 28 year history, between 3,000 and 4,000 babies were born here prior to the hospital finally closing in 1970. By 1973 the house was occupied again as a lifeline refuge and continued in this capacity for a further 20 years.  Finally in 1992 the then Nanango Shire Council  determined that Ringsfield should be restored as a museum and historical centre.

Today, Ringsfield is an active community museum offering displays, art and crafts, and catering for small functions. As the headquarters of the Nanango Historical Society, it is a repository for historical photographs and archives. Also within the precinct is a replica coach house (built from materials rescued from the demolished 100 year old Nanango Show grandstanda), a cream shed, a slab shepherd's hut, the town's original Presbyterian Cchurch and Nanango's oldest surviving building - the State School built in 1866.

The extensive gardens were designed in 1993 by landscape architect, Jeremy Ferrier.

Ringsfield has many stories to tell and, for visitor of all ages, it provides a unique opportunity to experience the lifestyle of past generations.  It is open 10.00am to 2.00pm Monday to Friday and weekends by appointment.