Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum

The complex is a pioneer village and museum. It comprises eighteen weatherboard buildings in original condition: a museum hall (3 buildings); Acutt House - 1930 original home; 1910 ex Methodist Church and Church Vestry; a blacksmith shop; Dundowran State School; Dairy and three sheds of agricultural and manufacturing machinery including special "sugar cane" collection; and Goodwood Railway Station with rails and small goods carriage used for servicing oil tankers from the "Pier". The buildings are furnished with historical items, including significant collections of agricultural machinery, tools, appliances, furniture, clothing, photographs, books and manuscripts.

The 1911 New Era Rope Making machine pictured above is used on Sundays to demonstrate the art of making rope last century.

The Hervey Bay Historical Museum, located in Zephyr Street, Scarness, next to the big fish, is open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoon

and allSchool & Public Holidays from 1.00 p.m. to 4.30 p.m. It can be opened any time for groups, buses, and schools. Now opens at 10.30 on Sundays. Bring your picnic.

An enjoyable afternoon can be spent browsing through the 18 buildings which are on the grounds of the Hervey Bay Historical Village & Museum situated in Zephyr St Scarness next to the big fish.

The Museum gives a fascinating glimpse into the bays past. Hundreds of household items and implements used in business, in the homes and on the farms in the 1800's are found with clothes worn in that period, the wagons the pioneers drove and the books they read.

A slab cottage which was built around 1900 is on the premises and is furnished with authentic furnishings of this era. Also located is a fully equipped blacksmith shop . Other buildings include a church built in 1910, a complete railway station from the 1920's and a fully furnished school room built in 1930.

The non-denominational church on the premises is a popular venue for weddings, with the old buildings and slip rail fences ideal backgrounds for photographs.

The church was built in 1910 in Main Street for the Methodist residents, but after being donated to the historical society in 1987, it was restored and rededicated.

A 1921 International Harvester single cylinder engine has recently been restored to running condition along with an early petrol engine driven washing machine.

Another recent addition is the old Dundowran State School which was relocated to the Museum grounds during 2004. It is now open to the public and displays all of the items found in a school of the 1800's, including a beautiful replica of the school teachers dress.