Hinkler Hall of Aviation and Hinkler House
Hinkler Hall of Aviation and Hinkler House
2 Bundaberg must see Museums
Today I had the great pleasure of visiting Hinkler Hall of Aviation and Hinkler House. I took with me, 4 great Wide Bay Kids, 3 aged 11 and one 8. We had an awesome time at each of these museums.
The flight simulators and the globe theatre were voted as best exhibits in the Hall. While the excitement of finally seeing what was inside Hinkler House fulfilled a long-term mystery for each of the kids.
These museums are self guided with your entry fee including access to both. They offer special discounts for locals which make visiting very affordable. Here is what we thought.
Hinkler Hall of Aviation
The Hall consists of just over 20 exhibits which include touch screens, stationary displays, theatrettes and hands-on interactive stations. There is plenty of in depth information to soak up if you are interested. For the most part, the kids were mainly after surface information, and were more interested in interacting with the exhibits in a fun and playful manner. Here is a list of the exhibits we liked the best.
Favourite exhibits:
Glide like Bert
This was the first station we came to upon entry. It consisted of two ‘gliders’. The kids got to lay down and fly over Mon Repos and out to sea and back again just like Bert did. We spent a good 15 minutes at this exhibit with everyone having a few turns.
Avro Baby Plane
This station consisted of a plane the kids could climb up into and steer. The look on their faces when they realised they could sit in the plane was priceless. They were fascinated by the different parts of the wings and tail that moved to steer the plane. They spent a good 10 minutes working together figuring it all out.
Box Brownie
As the name suggests this station is a big old box brownie camera. The camera sits in front of the Avro Baby display and allows you to take photos (with the help of a timer) whilst standing in front of the plane. You can then opt to have the photo forwarded directly to your inbox.
Fly like Bert Flight Simulators
These flight simulators were an absolute hit with all of the kids. There were 3 to choose from, and they were tricky to work out to being with. Once the kids got the hang of them there was no getting them off. They really enjoyed this experience. Take-off produced the most laughs. Two of the four kids I had with me voted the flight simulators as the best part of museum.
Hinkler House Touch Screen
To my surprise the kids loved the touch screen tour of Hinkler House. I think perhaps because we have been to the Botanic Gardens so many times over the years and the kids were finally getting the chance to see what was inside. They spent a good 10 minutes going through each of the rooms and checking everything out. To say they were happy when I told them we would be heading into the house once we had finished in the museum is a slight exaggeration….they could not wait.
Hinkler Quick Step
Did you know that songs and dances were made to celebrate Bert Hinkler’s triumphs? I certainly did not. The kids loved learning the hinkler quick step insisting on videoing themselves so they could recreate the dance steps at home later.
The Globe Theatre
This exhibit was amazing to view from the outside. Shaped in the form of a globe it traces and lights up the different trips Hinkler made across the world. The inside houses a theatre where a short 10 minute film of Bert’s life plays. I have to say I found this really interesting. Two of the four kids that were with me voted this as the best exhibit in the museum.
Hinkler House
Each of the kids were super excited to have the opportunity to see what was inside Hinkler House. I was so surprised at their reactions. I felt a little bad that we had perhaps not done this sooner. The house is very well set up and gives a great insight into the day to day living of Bert Hinkler.
The kids walked through the entire house 5 or 6 times soaking it all up. In some rooms there were recordings playing of daily conversations. The kids enjoyed listening to these. I think they all walked away with a sense of satisfaction…..finally knowing what was inside the house.
Verdict
I was not expecting the Hinkler Hall of Aviation to be as interactive as it was and this is perhaps one of the reasons why we have not been to check it out earlier. It is a great museum for kids aged 4 and up with so many hands-on things to see and do. The museum was fairly quiet today when we visited so there was no waiting and the kids could take as long as they liked. I’m sure this improved our experience.
I was surprised how excited everyone was to see inside Hinkler House and I’m so glad this mystery has now been solved. The kids entry fees were well worth just seeing inside Hinkler House let alone all the great exhibits in the Hall.
Hinkler Hall of Aviation caters really well for children and is definitely a place I’d say to make the time to go visit. Their local resident entry fees certainly make it affordable. The museums are located within the Botanic Gardens and are open 7 days per week from 9am to 4pm and 10am to 3pm on public holidays.
Entry Fees
Adult $24
Senior $18
Child (4-17 years) $15
Infant (0-3 years) Free
Family (2 Adults, 2 Children) $67
Family (1 Adult, 2 Children) $43
Details
Name: Hinkler Hall of Aviation and Hinkler House
Address: Bundaberg Botanic Gardens – Mt Perry Road, Bundaberg
Open: 7 days 9am to 4pm | Public Holidays 10am to 3pm
