Escape for a short while into Queenscliff’s fascinating past

The ship wrecks, the rescues and lifeboat, and the Sea Pilots who continue to bring ships safely through the Rip and into Port

You will experience all of this and much more at the Queenscliffe Maritime Museum

The Museum is open 7 days per week.  Click here for details of Opening Times, Admission Prices and Tour Bookings

Our address is Wharf Street, Queenscliff, Victoria (Melways Reference 499-H9)

Museum Exhibits

Exhibits depict the maritime history of Queenscliff and Southern Port Phillip, wrecks, lifeboats, rescues, early diving equipment, artefacts from shipwrecks, lighthouse display, and historic charts and maps of Port Phillip and the coastline of Victoria.  In the Boatshed stories of the Queenscliff Couta Boat and local boat builders are told.

Lifeboat Queenscliffe - initially the Museum was formed to preserve the last Queenscliff lifeboat which was in service between 1926 and 1976.  The lifeboat forms the core of the Museum collection.

The Museum is responsible for the preservation of many historic shipping and fishing-related items.  In the grounds are: heritage listed Fishermen's Waiting Shed; an original Fisherman's Cottage; the buried remains of the torpedo boat HMVS Lonsdale from Victoria's Navy; the Deckhouse of the Shandon; anchors; beacons; buoys, propellers and much much more.

New Exhibits

Lifeboat Queenscliffe display panel

The history of the lifeboat is illustrated in a new panel which fills the central wall of the Museum, alongside the restored Queenscliffe.  View the panel on the Lifeboat page.

HMVS Lonsdale interpretive panel

A new display is mounted over the hulk location in the Museum grounds - for details click here.

Port Phillip Steamer trade

The steamer display has been upgraded and includes some new items.  View the Steamer page

HMAS Goorangai & MV Duntroon

A new model of HMAS Goorangai has recently arrived at the Museum, to complement the model of MV Duntroon, on loan from Museum Victoria.  The models are at the scale of 1:48.  The Goorangai model was made by local model maker Malcolm Gibson and was funded by donations from community organisations and individuals.  More information here HMAS Goorangai .

Sea Kayak Display

We now have three sea kayaks on display - go to the Sea Kayak section for details.

Events Calendar

Maritime festivals and special events are highlighted in our Events Calendar and include these annual events: