Heritage Centre
Heritage Centre Toowoomba
Roads make an important contribution to Queensland's economy and quality of life.
The history of road building in Queensland is an interesting look at the past, from the conditions roadworkers laboured under using early machinery to forge essential links across the state, to the modern plant and equipment we see on roads today.
Keeping this history alive for now and future generations led to the Main Roads Heritage Centre.
The Centre is home to 88 years of road history in Queensland. It is the culmination of the untiring efforts of past and present Main Roads employees, extending more than 25 years. The Centre highlights the contributions of Main Roads and its employees to the economic, social and rural development of Queensland.
Many employees volunteer their own time to collect, restore and maintain equipment used in building Queensland's roads. Some volunteers are generations of families who have or continue to work for Main Roads.
The Heritage Centre has something for everyone!
Children can learn about roads from a series of cartoon characters and interactive exercises along a children's trail.
Adults and secondary students can learn about more complex themes and issues regarding road planning, construction and design.
Machinery enthusiasts can enjoy the vehicles and road building equipment on display.
Multimedia, photographs, interpretative panels, oral histories and displays of historic materials will capture the visitor's imagination.
The exhibition showcases the story and culture of a department with a rich history, and revolves around the department's vision "Main Roads—Connecting Queensland."
Visit the Heritage Centre
The Heritage Centre is open Monday to Friday from 10.00 am to 4.00 pm by appointment.
Open day events are planned for 2010, with demonstrations of blacksmithing, bridge pile driving and road construction machinery bringing this exciting collection to life. Volunteers from the Main Roads Heritage Centre Volunteer Program will be on hand. They will explain the displays to visitors and talk in detail about the history of the department and its ongoing role in connecting Queensland.
If you would like to visit the Heritage Centre you can find it at:
Mutze Street
Toowoomba
Queensland 4350
You can download a brochure to learn more about the centre.
Main Roads Heritage Centre brochure (PDF, 368 KB)
Follow the signs to Toowoomba Airport. The centre is located directly opposite the terminal car park.
For more information or to make a booking, contact the Heritage Centre on +61 7 4633 2506 or email heritage.centre@mainroads.qld.gov.au.
Come along and take a journey through time in the development of Queensland's road network.
Last updated: 02 November 2009
