1 This article will form part of a virtual special issue on advanced neutron scattering instrumentation, marking the 50th anniversary of the journal.QUOKKA is a 40 m pinhole small-angle neutron scattering instrument in routine user operation at the OPAL research reactor at the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation. Operating with a neutron velocity selector enabling variable wavelength, QUOKKA has an adjustable collimation system providing source-sample distances of up to 20 m. Following the largearea sample position, a two-dimensional 1 m 2 position-sensitive detector measures neutrons scattered from the sample over a secondary flight path of up to 20 m. Also offering incident beam polarization and analysis capability as well as lens focusing optics, QUOKKA has been designed as a general purpose SANS instrument to conduct research across a broad range of scientific disciplines, from structural biology to magnetism. As it has recently generated its first 100 publications through serving the needs of the domestic and international user communities, it is timely to detail a description of its asbuilt design, performance and operation as well as its scientific highlights. Scientific examples presented here reflect the Australian context, as do the industrial applications, many combined with innovative and unique sample environments. research papers J. Appl. Cryst. (2018). 51, 294-314 Kathleen Wood et al. QUOKKA 295 Figure 1 QUOKKA instrument layout. research papers J. Appl. Cryst. (2018). 51, 294-314 Kathleen Wood et al. QUOKKA 297 Figure 3(a) Attenuator wheel. (b) Automatic aperture changer. (c) Sample environment area, showing the extendable bellows on the left and the 20position sample changer on the right. Downstream of the sample changer, the entrance to the detector tank is visible. (d) Beamstop mechanism, with the six beamstops all in the 'in beam' position.research papers J. Appl. Cryst. (2018). 51, 294-314 Kathleen Wood et al. QUOKKA 299 research papers J. Appl. Cryst. (2018). 51, 294-314 Kathleen Wood et al. QUOKKA 301 research papers J. Appl. Cryst. (2018). 51, 294-314 Kathleen Wood et al. QUOKKA 313