Bert Hinkler Hall of Aviation and his English home.....

We both had never visited here before, and so when we were having a short holiday in Bundaberg we decided to visit the Hinkler museum. The admission fee is for both the hall and the house.

Bert Hinkler's plane

 There is a replica of Bert's airplane that he actually flew under the Burnett traffic bridge, and when you look at the bridge it would have been an amazing feat.  Further into the museum you will find another airplane which you can sit in and in front of that one is a large box brownie.  With this brownie you can take a photo of the airplane and someone special and email it to yourself. 

  There is a plank that you can lie on and try gliding by moving the steering stick to glide with the screen in front of you.  There are also 3 different flight simulators where you sit in the seat like your are actually flying and you are now the pilot flying an airplane. These are fun and children would enjoy them and try to fly.  

Simulator glider

Hanging from the ceiling you will find a glider and other airplanes.  In one corner there is an old automobile that has been reconditioned and looks lovely.  Along one wall there is a picture frame that holds a piece of wood from Bert's first handmade glider that was presented to astronaut Don Lind in early 1986, who then gave it to Dick Scobee the captain of the ill fated Challenger mission.  After the explosion it was found floating in the ocean, identified and later returned to the museum.

                                                                                                                                                                        There are also small theatrettes where you can sit and listen to people talking about Bert Hinkler and glass cabinets that hold certificates and information.

A piece of Bert's glider

From the museum you walk across to the house where you enter the side to be in the dining room. On the ground floor there is, apart from, the dining room, loungeroom, kitchen and what looks like a butlers pantry and serving doors to the dining room. You will notice that the rooms are small and each one has a fire place. Being so cold in England you can understand why there should be so many fireplaces.  Up the stairs, and you must be careful as they are small and steep you will find the bathroom and 2 bedrooms.  The one that Bert Hinkler slept in has an open doorway that opens onto the veranda.  This home is quite small compared to the large and spacious homes that are built today.  

Though this is the home where Bert lived while in England, Bert's home in Bundaberg, which does not exist anymore, was originally in Gavin Street, North Bundaberg, 

For opening hours and days please check the website for changes.

Hours : 9am to 3pm

Just for fun why not make a day of visiting the museum and have lunch at the Café there in the gardens and if your children are interested they can buy a bag of duck food at the café for 50c.

Bert's bedroom

Bert Hinkler house

       

🐸  Where will you have fun? Riding the simulators, the gliding, or just taking in the history of the displays?