Museum's new attraction poses treasure test

Crack the code to uncover missing treasure as the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum reveals its newest attraction.

Benito’s Lost Pirate Treasure Escape Room has arrived on the Bellarine, putting locals and visitors alike to the test as they work to find their way to freedom.

Queenscliffe Maritime Museum committee member Roger Grant said the escape room was inspired by the stories of a notorious pirate.

“It’s based on the pirate Benito ‘Bloody Sword’ Benito, who, reputably, there’s a lot of evidence to suggest he buried his treasure in and around what we now call Swan Bay.

“The whole experience is based around as if you’ve been captured by Benito Benito and you have to escape out of the escape room and earn your freedom.”

All players start the escape room handcuffed to the walls with the task of getting themselves free.

As part of the interactive experience, teams made up of between two and six players must find the treasure chest and the code to the door to get out.

Without giving too much away, Grant said participants would start the escape room in handcuffs and were required to complete challenges both mental and physical.

“It’s very much based around a series of challenges, whether they be puzzles or whether they be tricks that you have to solve to get the code to get out of the door.”

The newly opened attraction is set in the original deckhouse from a sailing vessel, used as crew quarters.

Grant said the setting of the escape room and being within the cabin added to the whole experience.

“The room itself is very interesting because it’s the old cabin of the sailing ships, Shandong,and that adds to the ambience it’s not as if it’s some warehouse or strange building.”

Participants have an hour to make their way through the room, solving clues and challenges to get through each step.

Grant believes there are several other things that made the escape room unique, from the setting of the historic environment through to the story of Benito.

“There’s a level of authenticity to this then many other escape rooms, there’s some logic in this and it’s a terrific way for people to test their skills and their thinking.

“One of the things we like about the escape room is that it’s also an exercise with family and friends, you really need to work together as a team to solve the clues to get out.”

The new experience is part of the museum’s four-year strategic plan in delivering more than just pieces on display.

“Like all museums, we have to deliver more than just a range of static objects,” Grant said.

“They need to be an interactive experience and also focus on stories, and this is very much along those lines and really is a unique opportunity to do something that adds a bit of wow factor to your visit to the Maritime Museum.

“It’s about an interactive experience where people can not only enjoy the museum but also have a great experience with their friends and family.”

Kassidy Werner is one of the escape room’s Games Masters, who are on board to ensure a positive experience.

The escape room has been on the drawing board for the museum for at least the past six months, with the museum working on the clues and sourcing all the materials.

As part of the process, a trial was held last year, inviting friends and family members along to help test out the new attraction and make sure it was viable.

Following the success of the trial, the museum has employed “game masters” who will ensure a positive experience for players and their safety.

“They’ll assist people so that they’re not stuck in there and getting frustrated and can’t progress, the game masters will insist and ensure and monitor their safety and also their progress, and if they get stuck, of course they can intervene,” Grant said.

Participants off all ages are able to participate in the game, making it appealing to families and those who enjoy the concept of escape rooms, which have a loyal following.

To complete the challenge, players must find Benito’s treasure and the code to escape out the door and into freedom.

Once booked, the group will have exclusive use of the room, with bookings not mixed.

Grant said the museum wanted the escape room to become an attraction and a primary driver of visitation to Queenscliff that brought people into the town to complete it.

“It’s very much about celebrating out maritime legends and celebrating out maritime objects and it’s trying to broaden the appeal of the Maritime Museum to a younger audience.”

It is hoped the attraction will bring draw enough enthusiasm for it to become a consistent and permanent part of the museum experience.

All tickets to the escape room also include entry into the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum.

For tickets and more information, head to maritimequeenscliffe.org.au