Queensland Police Museum

The Queensland Police Museum is a fascinating secret trove that contains the history of crime, law and order since the Queensland Police force was established in a tent in 1864, and arrested prisoners were attached to trees.

From its home on the ground floor of the Queensland Police HQ, the museum features some 25 displays covering the history of the police force, famous Queensland crimes such as the still-unsolved murder of Betty Shanks in 1952, operational equipment through the ages, the role of policewomen, and a confronting mock-up murder scene to solve.

Amongst the intriguing exhibits on display are one of the petrol drums from the Whiskey Au Go Go mass killing, the homemade bombs used by crazed Wickham Terrace murderer Karl Kast, early handcuffs and batons, and gas masks from World War II air raid shelter wardens.

Queensland Police Museum is open Monday to Thursday all year round and on the last Sunday of the month (10-3pm) from February to November.