Beginning at the historic Windmill on Wickham Terrace and winding down to the river at Queens Wharf, the tour traces Brisbane’s transformation between 1823 and 1842 – from a remote penal outpost to an emerging free town. Hear stories of convicts and commandants, revealing how punishment, labour and authority shaped daily life. Along the way, our guides bring the settlement into focus, illuminating the social fabric and living conditions, as well as the central role of the Brisbane River in sustaining the colony.
Woven throughout the tour are First Peoples’ responses to British settlement, their enduring connection to Country, and the Frontier wars that directly followed this era. Together, these intersecting stories offer a deeper understanding of how Brisbane grew from its earliest foundations into a regional centre.
Tour highlights include:
Please note: this tour involves walking downhill on city streets and uneven surfaces.
Meeting point: Windmill / Wickham Terrace
Finished at: The Commissariat Store/ Queens Wharf Road
Duration of tour: 90mins
Distance: 1.75km
Capacity: Maximum 12 visitors
Difficulty: This tour has been designed to suit most fitness levels.
Please contact Museum of Brisbane reception on (07) 3339 0800 or email bookings@museumofbrisbane.com.au to organise a private tour.
Yes, the Convict Brisbane Walking Tour is wheelchair accessible. Please note, this tour will include uneven terrain and moderate uphill walking.
If you require a tour modification to simplify the route, please contact the Museum of Brisbane reception on (07) 3339 0800 or email bookings@museumofbrisbane.com.au.
Meet your MoB Tour Guide at the Windmill in Observatory Park at 226 Wickham Terrace, Spring Hill, Brisbane.
We recommend you arrive 10 minutes prior to the beginning of the tour.
Dependent on the weather and group size, the walking tours run for approximately 90 minutes.
Please bring comfortable walking shoes, a hat, earphones, sunscreen, water, and a light snack. We recommend an umbrella in case of rain.
Tours will go ahead unless you are informed of a cancellation. If there is a severe weather warning, we will notify participants of cancellation and organise an alternative date. If showers or extreme heat are predicted, the tour guide may modify the route and the length of the tour.
Eating is not recommended on the walking tour. Light snacks are acceptable. Please bring plastic or metal sealable water bottles, and stay hydrated. Be aware that the walking tour does not allow time to stop to buy food or beverages.
There are up to 12 places available on each tour. Please note, Museum of Brisbane walking tours require a minimum of four adult and/or concession tickets to be booked to proceed.
To make a group booking, please email bookings@museumofbrisbane.com.au.
A professional Museum of Brisbane Visitor Experience Member leads the walking tours. Our staff have in-depth knowledge of local history and offer wonderful insights about landmarks, art, architecture, and Brisbane’s rich history.
Yes, photos are permitted. If you are taking a photo or filming any of our staff members or your fellow tour participants, we request you seek permission first.
If you plan on sharing your photos online, don’t forget to tag us @museumofbrisbane or use our hashtag #MuseumOfBrisbane.
No, Clock Tower Tours and City Hall Tours are separate to walking tours. Clock Tower Tours and City Hall Tours are free and can be booked online. Spaces are limited, so we recommend you book early or talk to your tour guide to check availability on the day.
We would love for you to share your reviews. Please share your experience via Facebook, TripAdvisor, Yelp or email us at info@museumofbrisbane.com.au.
Please call Museum of Brisbane’s Visitor Experience Team on (07) 3339 0800 or email bookings@museumofbrisbane.com.au.
