MacArthur Museum Brisbane
MacArthur Museum Brisbane
MacArthur Museum Brisbane
4.5
About
MacArthur Museum-Brisbane is located in what once was the AMP Society headquarters in Edward Street, Brisbane. During WWII it housed the General Headquarters of the SW Pacific Area. General MacArthur's office from that period is presented as it was during 1942-44. Displays include information on operations in the SW Pacific Area. The Museum also displays artifacts illustrating aspects of life in Brisbane during the war years, such as rationing, civil defence and the impact of so many service personnel from the Australian and Allied forces.
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4.5
109 reviews
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Very good
36
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Peter G
Canberra253 contributions
Oct 2022
Tucked away of the 8th floor of what is now a block of apartments is the former HQ of General Macarthur - it's more that his former office and why it was located there.
It's really a fascinating history of Brisbane in World War 2 and the influence of American military forces after Macarthur arrived there. It was significant.
There are panels about his life, especially his part in breaking up protesting World War ONE ex-servicemen in Washington in the Depression. But nothing about his dismissal by President Truman in the Korean War.
There are several other detailed panels about significant battles in the Pacific during 1942-43. It's worth at least several hours close review.
It's really a fascinating history of Brisbane in World War 2 and the influence of American military forces after Macarthur arrived there. It was significant.
There are panels about his life, especially his part in breaking up protesting World War ONE ex-servicemen in Washington in the Depression. But nothing about his dismissal by President Truman in the Korean War.
There are several other detailed panels about significant battles in the Pacific during 1942-43. It's worth at least several hours close review.
Written 18 October 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheBigHog
York, UK37 contributions
July 2023 • Solo
A really good museum about General MacArthur, World War Two in the South Pacific more generally especially the Australian contribution and 1940s life in Brisbane. I very much enjoy military history and this is a good museum with knowledgeable staff. As other reviewers have said, it isn’t for a disinterested teenager.
The entrance isn’t the most obvious unless you are looking for it. Once you have found it, just ring the bell and you will be let in. I have posted a photo in order to help.
The entrance isn’t the most obvious unless you are looking for it. Once you have found it, just ring the bell and you will be let in. I have posted a photo in order to help.
Written 16 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nick A
50 contributions
Apr 2024 • Family
The museum was pretty cool, the building is historic and very nice and all of the exhibits are great, fascinating stuff. There is a short video that explains wartime Brisbane that is also cool because you can see the city so long ago, all covered with tanks and GIs.
Our tour guide, Paul, is really what put it over the top though. He was extremely pleasant as well as knowledgeable and he enhanced the experience by 100x because he was so enthusiastically answering all of our questions. Great day, so glad we visited.
We shall return.
Our tour guide, Paul, is really what put it over the top though. He was extremely pleasant as well as knowledgeable and he enhanced the experience by 100x because he was so enthusiastically answering all of our questions. Great day, so glad we visited.
We shall return.
Written 22 April 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
BWG48
Brisbane, Australia3 contributions
Jan 2023
A great museum to see the involvement of General MacArthur and the American forces in Brisbane and Australia. Good introduction movie and a marvelous guide. Certainly should be funded and maintained by one of the Government services.
Written 31 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Oscar Ceballos
Mexico City, Mexico1,266 contributions
Apr 2019 • Couples
A very interesting approach to WWII and the history lived in Australia.
Its a little place but totaly exceeded my expectations, its a Must
Its a little place but totaly exceeded my expectations, its a Must
Written 1 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TheFinerThingsForMe
Brisbane13 contributions
Tucked away on level 8 of this building is an amazing museum to General Douglas MacArthur and the effect of World War 2 on the people of Brisbane. MacArthur's office is still there, with his desk and objects around it. There are lots of pictures of Brisbane in the early 40's and how the suburbs use to be. Children's life during the war, War brides and even information on Sigsaly (which was in the basement of the building). MacArthur's planning table is used to show maps and people can look up family members on computer. Even though it is small (takes about an hour to go around at the most), it is great!!
Written 2 February 2010
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John P
Brisbane, Australia1,041 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
This museum is tucked away on the 8th floor of MacArthur Chambers in Edward Street in Brisbane city. It is devoted to the chequered career of US General Douglas MacArthur who served in WW1 in France and in WW2 in the Philippines and the Pacific as well as the Korean War in 1951. After the fall of the Philippines to the Japanese during WW2, MacArthur escaped to Australia and from March 1942 he commanded the forces in the South West Pacific region from his GHQ in Brisbane where the museum is currently located.
After lunch on Thursday 14th January 2016, my wife and I visited this museum. There was a small admission fee and we were told to wander through the museum on our own. When we asked about a guided tour, a volunteer named John. D. was obliging enough to show us round the rooms and answer our questions. Our guide was rather knowledgeable and explained to us about the life and turbulent times of General MacArthur and pointed out significant WW2 exhibits pertaining to the navy, army and air force. We saw the original conference table made of Queensland maple complete with its cigarette scorch marks and ink stains. In MacArthur’s office was a replica of MacArthur’s desk and also pieces of original furniture and the impressive parquet flooring and wood panelling – all heritage listed.
There was also a display about Aussie brides who wedded American GIs. Movie cinemas and the Cremorne Theatre provided entertainment during the war years for troops and civilians alike.
There was also some information about the Brisbane riots of November 1942 when Australian servicemen and American GIs clashed as a result of seething tensions due to the influx of GIs in Brisbane and their brashness. The racial segregation within the American troops was also highlighted by our guide.
Continuous historical video clips showed life in Brisbane during WW2 and Queensland’s involvement in the war effort. The airfields at Amberley, Archerfield and Eagle Farm were in commission and military camps were located in Wacol, Darra, Inala and other areas of Brisbane. Code breakers were instrumental in intercepting and decoding Japanese secret radio messages and the Sigsaly voice encryption system provided General MacArthur the added level of security in his communications with the Pentagon.
The museum is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
After lunch on Thursday 14th January 2016, my wife and I visited this museum. There was a small admission fee and we were told to wander through the museum on our own. When we asked about a guided tour, a volunteer named John. D. was obliging enough to show us round the rooms and answer our questions. Our guide was rather knowledgeable and explained to us about the life and turbulent times of General MacArthur and pointed out significant WW2 exhibits pertaining to the navy, army and air force. We saw the original conference table made of Queensland maple complete with its cigarette scorch marks and ink stains. In MacArthur’s office was a replica of MacArthur’s desk and also pieces of original furniture and the impressive parquet flooring and wood panelling – all heritage listed.
There was also a display about Aussie brides who wedded American GIs. Movie cinemas and the Cremorne Theatre provided entertainment during the war years for troops and civilians alike.
There was also some information about the Brisbane riots of November 1942 when Australian servicemen and American GIs clashed as a result of seething tensions due to the influx of GIs in Brisbane and their brashness. The racial segregation within the American troops was also highlighted by our guide.
Continuous historical video clips showed life in Brisbane during WW2 and Queensland’s involvement in the war effort. The airfields at Amberley, Archerfield and Eagle Farm were in commission and military camps were located in Wacol, Darra, Inala and other areas of Brisbane. Code breakers were instrumental in intercepting and decoding Japanese secret radio messages and the Sigsaly voice encryption system provided General MacArthur the added level of security in his communications with the Pentagon.
The museum is open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays.
Written 20 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
McMillan2014
Brisbane, Australia80 contributions
Aug 2015 • Solo
I was amazed by the quality and presentation of the exhibits at this museum. It is tucked away on Edward Street at the end of the Queen Street Mall.
If you are a history buff then you are in for a treat. I loved the recreation of MacArthur's office.
If you are a history buff then you are in for a treat. I loved the recreation of MacArthur's office.
Written 18 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
carolf445
South Brisbane407 contributions
Oct 2015 • Friends
This museum is in MacArthur Chambers in the centre of the city and is a little known treasure commemorating General MacArthur's WW2 time in Brisbane.
For those who enjoy history, it is a must.
For those who enjoy history, it is a must.
Written 2 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
travel7continents
Norfolk, VA1,381 contributions
May 2013 • Couples
This museum is inside what was an office building that became General Douglas MacArthur's headquarters when he had to leave the Phillippeans in the hands of the Japanese. The city of Brisbane had to rally in a time of emergency to take in the influx of allied troops. Here the plans for the Pacific Campaign were made. The citizens of Queensland and all who served in World War II should visit this museum. It is an inspiring story.
Written 19 March 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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