Hinkler House Memorial Museum
Bundaberg

This museum is a tribute to one of Australia's greatest pioneer aviators Squadron Leader Bert Hinkler AFC DSM who was born in Bundaberg Queensland, in 1892.

Hinkler House or ""Mon Repos"" as Hinkler called it, was dismantled by a group of volunteers from Bundaberg in Southampton England in 1982, shipped to Australia and rebuilt in Bundaberg. It stands in the beautiful surroundings of the Botanic Gardens in North Bundaberg.

You can experience Bert Hinkler's incredible life and adventures during a visit to the museum. In 1911 - 1912 Bert Hinkler flew gliders from Mon Repos beach. Learn about his life in England where he worked as an engineer and test pilot with A.V.Roe. In World War one Bert flew as a gunner over France, Germany and Austria, he was also a test pilot for a gyrocopter, the forerunner of our modern day helicopter.

Bert Hinkler's greatest feat was in 1928 when he flew solo from England to Australia in a small plane ""ibis"", which he designed and built in the backyard of his English house. The plane was a two-seater amphibian plan, which flew very successfully. The great depression prevented the plane from reaching the production stage.

Bert Hinkler invented many items to improve flying safety for which he held many patents. On January seventh 1933, Bert Hinkler set off again for Australia only to crash on the Prato Mango Alps in Italy. He is buried in Florence, Italy.

Bert Hinkler artefacts and photographs are displayed in the museum and have fascinated many visitors that come to honour hi amazing feats.