Discovery Centre: Pirates - Skull Island

Join us these school holidays as The Discovery Centre transforms into Skull Island.

When pirates weren’t roaming the seven seas plundering ships for treasure, they were held up in pirate lairs. Learn more about the pirate’s way at the Discovery Centre. Find out why pirates wore earrings and whether there were really female pirates.

Dress up in a pirate costume, try your hand at tying knots or chart your way around the Museum to uncover clues to treasure and enter the draw for a special prize.

For the best value, sign up for our Pirate’s Charter, which gives you access to a treasure trove of high-seas activities.

School holidays activities

Pirates Charter | $10

Best value - save 23%! 
Sign up for a bucket load of pirate fun! This includes all paid activities: Stained Glass Beauties, Painted Pirates, Buried Treasure and Treasure Box.

X Marks the Spot | Free

Can you crack the clues to our treasure map? Collect a map when you arrive and navigate your way around the Museum Residency Building, finding the answers to clues! When you solve all the clues, return your completed treasure map to the Discovery Centre and go into the draw to win a prize!

Pirate Treasure | $4

Pirates like to bury their treasure in a treasure box. Design and create your own personalised embellished treasure box using maritime images and dazzling glitter. This is one treasure box you won’t want to hide!

Stained Glass Beauties | $3 

Make your own beautiful version of a stained glass window! Choose from a skull and crossbones design, a galleon in full sail or a scarlet macaw. What stained glass design will you choose?

Painterly Pirates | $2 - $4

Skull Island is a pirate haven. It’s where pirates go to rest and have fun. Some pirates take up painting as a hobby. Pick a plaster to turn into a pirate-painted masterpiece.

Buried Treasure | $3

Pirates raided many ships loaded with sought-after treasure. Pirate booty often included gold, silver, medallions, coins, and precious jewels. We’ve discovered a load of encrusted coins at the Museum and need young pirates like you to help us dig them out and discover what lies inside, and take them home for safekeeping. 

Participants aged 12 and under must be directly supervised by a parent or guardian.
Please note, all required materials are provided.