Our key venues for arts and culture offer year-round cultural experiences.
Experience life of a bygone era.
Mayes Cottage is a well-preserved timber home built by the Mayes family in 1887. It was the family’s home for 100 years. The house, outbuildings and grounds have had very few changes since that time.
Now a house museum, this home offers a wonderful opportunity to experience a unique part of Logan’s heritage.
Enjoy a picnic, take a tour and share stories on the veranda with our friendly staff. Free entry.
Mayes Cottage House Museum
0412 449 054
mayes@logan.qld.gov.au
Thursday, Friday and Saturday from 10.00am to 4.00pm (excluding public holidays).
Get in touch
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Brief history
John and Emily Mayes and their two small children, Joshua and Ruth, arrived in Brisbane from England aboard the ship Indus on 21 July 1871. On 27 June 1873, John took up 321 acres of land in the area that was later to become Kingston. At that time it was simply known as Scrubby Creek.
After settling in Queensland, John and Emily had five more children, Rachel, Mary Matilda, Josiah, Leonard and Edith.
According to family stories, the Mayes made their income from selling timber as they cleared the land. They built a slab hut, planted fruit trees, pineapples and grapes, and kept bees. They sold their produce in Brisbane or Beenleigh. By 1887, the Mayes had prospered and built a new house of sawn timber. They called it Pleasant Place and it survives today as Mayes Cottage.
In 1992 Mayes Cottage was registered to the Queensland Heritage register.
The property is now managed by Logan City Council as a house museum open to the general public.
Image left: Mayes Cottage, 2024
Image right: Mayes Cottage cow shed, 2024
Tours, activities and events
Mayes Cottage offers tours, workshops and events. Discover stories from the past, enjoy a guided tour, a wander through the grounds or have fun playing old-fashioned games. Pre-booked groups can enjoy their picnic morning tea or lunch on our tables and chairs under the shady mango trees.
We require bookings for groups of 8 or more people, to pre-book their visit through the Mayes email address at least one week in advance.
Mayes Cottage regularly hosts workshops and community events including a range of creative sessions and occasions that commemorate Logan’s heritage. Visit LoganArts What’s On page to find out what’s happening at Mayes Cottage.
Interpretation services in Auslan and languages other than English can be provided to visitors on request. Please talk to us about your interpretation needs before your visit by phone on 0412 449 054 or email mayes@logan.qld.gov.au.
Visit Translator Interpreter Services – Logan City Council or National Relay Service – Logan City Council to access these translation services if you need help to talk with us.
Education
Mayes Cottage is a wonderful opportunity for students to learn about Logan’s heritage. Our education program covers HASS of the Australian Curriculum.
Maximum Students
• 60 Students per day – 15 students per activity with a supervision ration of 1:15 accompanying teachers/ adults to students.
Duration
• 10.30am – 1.30pm this includes morning tea break and lunch break.
• Students will be participating in 4 set activities, and each session is 25 minutes. We are happy to tailor these activities to your students’ needs.
Bookings
•Education sessions are offered in Terms 2 and 3 on Thursday and Friday.
• We require bookings at least 2 months in advance. To make a booking please book online.
For further information regarding your proposed school visit please contact the Mayes Cottage Officer at mayes@logan.qld.gov.au.
Image: Wash Day school activity set up, Mayes Cottage 2025
Volunteer
Would you like to volunteer at Mayes Cottage?
Find out about local history, meet new friends and enjoy talking to visitors about Mayes Cottage, the gardens and its importance to the area. Training provided.
Click through to discover current volunteering opportunities.
Image: Volunteer guided tour, Mayes Cottage 2025
Due to the heritage nature of the building, Mayes Cottage is not wheelchair accessible, however, we are more than happy to accommodate where possible. Please contact Mayes Cottage via phone or email for further information prior to your visit.
Contact Mayes Cottage
