Museum of Tropical Queensland

The Museum of Tropical Queensland (abbreviated MTQ) is a museum of natural history, archaeology and history located in Townsville, Queensland, Australia.[1] It is located in the same complex as the Reef HQ Aquarium. MTQ is a member of the Queensland Museum Campus Network.[2]

Museum of Tropical Queensland
Established1987
LocationTownsville, Queensland, Australia
Coordinates19.2574°S 146.8221°E / -19.2574; 146.8221
TypeNatural history, maritime archaeology
DirectorPeter McLeod
Websitemtq.qm.qld.gov.au

History
Spiderella - The giant spider on the front of the museum

The museum opened in 1987 as the "North Queensland Branch" of the Queensland Museum, under the direction of Curator-in-Charge Dr. Carden Wallace.[3]

In 1997, Carden Wallace was named director of the museum.[4] Its current building was constructed at a cost of 18 million Australian dollars,[5] and was opened on 3 June 2000 by the then Queensland Premier Peter Beattie.[6]

In 2003, Sally Lewis was named director of the museum[7] and two years later Spinderella the giant silver orb spider was unveiled. It overlooks Flinders Street East. In 2007, Peter McLeod was named director of the museum.

Research

Scientists in the museum have gained international recognition in various fields, particularly those with marine themes.

Marine archaeology

The museum houses artefacts recovered from the wreck of HMS Pandora, one of the most significant wrecks in Australian waters. The Pandora sank off the coast of north Queensland in 1791 after capturing some of the participants in the infamous mutiny on the Bounty.

The Maritime Archaeology Section administers the Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, which covers sites including HMS Pandora and SS Yongala wrecks. Access to these sites is through permit only.

Marine megafauna

In 2006, worldwide attention was received for the discovery of the Australian snubfin dolphin, the first species of dolphin to be discovered in 56 years.[8]

Corals

The museum also houses what has been described as "the scientifically most important coral collection in the world".[9]

Images
  • A view of the museum from up the creek
  • A view of the museum from across Ross Creek

References
  1. Getting here
  2. Queensland Museum Campuses
  3. 'Women Scientists at the Queensland Museum'
  4. 'Wallace, Carden: Bright Sparcs Biographical entry'
  5. 'Profile of Townsville City Area'
  6. Queensland Museum Annual Report 1999–2000
  7. Queensland Museum Annual Report 2002–2003
  8. New dolphin species under the spotlight at MTQ Archived 20 August 2006 at the Wayback Machine
  9. 'Ask a Staghorn Coral'
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