Magnetic Museum

Magnetic Museum Our mission is to preserve the history and cultural heritage of Magnetic Island

The heritage-listed Picnic Bay Schoolhouse, on the grounds, is used as a Craft Centre, selling quality local craft and historical publications. The Museum itself is housed in the historic Butler Hut, named after the original pioneering family of the island.

MAGNETIC MUSEUM SUNDAY SESSIONS, FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH RECOMMENCE3 MAY 202611-15 Granite Street, Picnic BaySUNDAY SE...
24/04/2026

MAGNETIC MUSEUM SUNDAY SESSIONS, FIRST SUNDAY OF THE MONTH RECOMMENCE
3 MAY 2026
11-15 Granite Street, Picnic Bay

SUNDAY SESSION – JULIAN ASSANGE, MAGNETIC ISLANDER
Did you know that Julian Assange has a unique connection to Magnetic Island?
Before becoming known worldwide through Wikileaks, Julian spent parts of his childhood right here on the island during the 1970s and early 1980s, growing up in an alternative lifestyle consistent with that era on Magnetic Island.
At Magnetic Museum, you can explore two fascinating pieces of this story:
• A banner from the 2012 Picnic Bay rally supporting Assange
• A 2009 personal note in our visitor’s book from his mother, Christine Assange, reflecting on their time living on the Island.
How much did this free-spirited, alternative upbringing influence Julian’s later stance on transparency?
We’d love to hear your memories and stories – especially from those who remember those earlier days on the Island. Come and join us!
Come for the artefacts, stay for the history - and enjoy a true local Sunday Session!

2026 – CENTENNIAL YEAR OF THE DEATHS OF TWO PROMINENT MAGNETIC ISLAND PIONEERSThis year marks the hundredth anniversary ...
11/04/2026

2026 – CENTENNIAL YEAR OF THE DEATHS OF TWO PROMINENT MAGNETIC ISLAND PIONEERS
This year marks the hundredth anniversary of the passing of tourism pioneer Robert Hayles and also Magnetic Island pioneer settler William Bright who died 30 July 1926.
William Bright first came to Magnetic Island in October 1886 when he was building the Quarantine Station jetty at West Point. He also built the Station well, completed 1887, which remains on private land today.
By the end of the 1880s he was living at Nelly Bay with his wife Mary Ann and daughter F***y. He became a substantial Nelly Bay landholder and was recognised for his farming abilities. Several mango trees he planted at Nelly Bay remain today as does a second well he sank in the creek bed of what is now the Magnetic Island State School.
‘He proved the fertility of the bay by establishing ‘Bright’s Gardens’ which were famed through Queensland, his pineapples being supplied as far south as Government House’, claimed his daughter in ‘The Townsville Daily Bulletin’, 21 April 1936.
Bright Point is named for him.

Delighted that our new exhibition opened on the weekend is being so well received.
31/03/2026

Delighted that our new exhibition opened on the weekend is being so well received.

31/03/2026

Hayles vessel, very appropriate for our new exhibition Robert Hayles-a Man of Vision

ROBERT HAYLES – A MAN OF VISIONMagnetic Museum’s 2026 exhibition ‘Robert Hayles – A Man of Vision’ will officially be op...
25/03/2026

ROBERT HAYLES – A MAN OF VISION
Magnetic Museum’s 2026 exhibition ‘Robert Hayles – A Man of Vision’ will officially be opened this Saturday 28 March at 10.30am. The exhibition commemorates Robert Hayles’ contribution to tourism on Magnetic Island on the hundredth anniversary of his death in 1926. An invitation to attend is extended to all interested persons.
April 1951, then a quarter of a century after Robert Hayles death, Townsville Daily Bulletin while reporting on the new Hayles vessel ‘Magnetic’ noted:
‘New launch for the Townsville-Magnetic Island service…. Named Magnetic, she is a tribute to the growing popularity of the North’s Island playground and a credit to the firm of Hayles Bros…. She fittingly represents the spirit of the man [Robert Hayles] who laid his own keels under the oak trees at Picnic Bay.’

OPEN INVITATIONROBERT HAYLES - A MAN OF VISION EXHIBITION AND CELEBRATION LUNCHEON
21/02/2026

OPEN INVITATION
ROBERT HAYLES - A MAN OF VISION
EXHIBITION AND CELEBRATION LUNCHEON

ROBERT HAYLES – A MAN OF VISIONPIONEER OF TOURISM ON MAGNETIC ISLANDMagnetic Museum’s 2026 exhibition celebrates the con...
07/02/2026

ROBERT HAYLES – A MAN OF VISION
PIONEER OF TOURISM ON MAGNETIC ISLAND
Magnetic Museum’s 2026 exhibition celebrates the contribution made by Robert Hayles to the development of tourism on Magnetic Island.
The exhibition marks the centennial anniversary of pioneer Robert Hayles’ death illustrating his endeavours and the enduring legacy carried on by his family.
The exhibition will officially open at Magnetic Museum on Saturday 28 March 2026 at 10.30am and will be followed by a commemorative luncheon at Picnic Bay Hotel, the business established by Robert Hayles in 1899.

EVENT: HOSTED LUNCHEON TO CELEBRATE ‘ROBERT HAYLES - A MAN OF VISION’ in collaboration with Magnetic Museum’s 2026 exhibition launch.
DATE: Saturday 28 March 2026
TIME: 12:30pm
LOCATION: Picnic Bay Hotel in the Garden Oasis and The Magnetic Room (beautifully renovated)
CATERING:
- Grazing Table on arrival and one welcome drink provided
- 2-course Main and Dessert - dietary requirements eg vegetarian option on request at time of payment
- Bar available - premium beers, wines, spirits and cocktails - guests to pay
COST: $65 per head

OPEN INVITATION, ALL WELCOME

PAYMENT OPTIONS:
• Cash: directly at Magnetic Museum (Butler Hut) Tuesdays 10am to 2pm (contact 0488050145)
Guest contact details to be provided to Museum staff at time of payment
• Bank EFT Payment: Hayles Consulting; BSB 063-136, Account # 1033 2149
Bank REF details: Please include GUEST NAME and attendee number (eg SMITH x2) and email Glenys Reid at [email protected] to provide attendee email and/or phone contact details and any dietary requirements.

PLEASE NOTE:
All payments, guest numbers and dietary requirements required NO LATER than Friday 20 March
Luncheon Event Coordinator: Glenys Reid: 0412633304 - please leave a voicemail if no answer

PLEASE NOTE - DATE CLAIMERMagnetic Museum is now in recess as we prepare for our new 2026 exhibition. We will be reopeni...
29/01/2026

PLEASE NOTE - DATE CLAIMER
Magnetic Museum is now in recess as we prepare for our new 2026 exhibition. We will be reopening on Saturday 28 March. During this temporary closure period visits to our Reading and Research Room can be made by appointment only by phoning 0488050145.

MAGNETIC MUSEUM SUNDAY SESSION 4 January 2026 at 10.00amSIGNATURES – THEIR SIGNIFICANCE AND THEIR CONNECTIONSWe’ve come ...
30/12/2025

MAGNETIC MUSEUM SUNDAY SESSION
4 January 2026 at 10.00am

SIGNATURES – THEIR SIGNIFICANCE AND THEIR CONNECTIONS

We’ve come to expect that artists sign and often date their works. This practice generally authenticates their work unless the value of an original work is such that counterfeiters see it profitable to produce ‘signed’ fake copies. Authors often sign their work particularly at formal launches of their publications.

Come and view signed items held in Magnetic Museum’s collection – items that have an increased value because of a signature and/or inscription. Learn how this has provided unexpected and important connections within our story and even vital information regarding the item’s provenance.

Come for the artefacts, stay for the history – and enjoy a true local Sunday Session!
11-15 Granite Street
Picnic Bay
4 January, 2026 at 10am

Magnetic Museum Sunday Session – 7 December 2025, 10amAN UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT WITH CONNECTIONS TO A TIN TRUNK OF TOOLS...
02/12/2025

Magnetic Museum Sunday Session – 7 December 2025, 10am
AN UNPUBLISHED MANUSCRIPT WITH CONNECTIONS TO A TIN TRUNK OF TOOLS AND A BOX OF PHOTOGRAPHS AND DOCUMENTS
Come to our regular Sunday Session on 7 December when we will reveal the connections found with a 1950 unpublished manuscript by Jean Devanny and artefacts held in Magnetic Museum’s collection.
Devanny was a writer, orator and activist on matters of racial discrimination, sexual freedom and social justice. She was a member of the Australian Communist Party from which she was expelled, readmitted, resigned and rejoined in consequence of her passionately held beliefs.
Come for the artefacts, stay for the history – and enjoy a true local Sunday Session!
11-15 Granite Street Picnic Bay
Sunday 7 December 2025, 10.00

Christmas Shopping: Supporting Locally Made CraftsFor Christmas gift shopping why not call in to Magnetic Museum’s retai...
26/11/2025

Christmas Shopping: Supporting Locally Made Crafts
For Christmas gift shopping why not call in to Magnetic Museum’s retail shop located in the heritage-listed Picnic Bay school. We have a great range of locally made crafts – gifts that will stand out for their originality and quality.
Open10.00am to 2.00pm daily – closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays

Address

Picnic Bay, QLD

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 2pm
Thursday 10am - 2pm
Friday 10am - 2pm
Saturday 10am - 2pm
Sunday 10am - 2pm

Telephone

+61488050145

Website

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