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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 Exhibit

Two William Ferrier paintings from the walls of the South Channel Pile Light are currently on loan to the Museum from the National Trust of Victoria.  Click to download and view the story.

Events Calendar

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

Newsletter

Published 4 times a year the Newsletter tells of coming events, stories, new acquisitions and features from the collection.  Museum members receive a copy as part of the annual subscription and contributions to the Newsletter are welcome.  The latest issue is Winter 2010 is available here as a PDF.  Previous issue Autumn 2010 here.

Nautical Gift Shop

Books, posters and gifts with a nautical theme.

Services

The Museum offers a range of services to the community, schools, groups and researchers.

Group and School Tours - of the Museum and Point Lonsdale Lighthouse are conducted by prior arrangement at times to suit your group.  The Museum is a disability friendly venue.

Educational Resources for schools - download educational project sheets for school use. Children's Couta Boat books, Defiance goes to Sea and Defiance to the Rescue

Library - an integral part of the Museum is an extensive maritime research library and reading room.

Research - we can assist with research into aspects of the maritime history of Southern Port Phillip and of Queenscliff.  Request for Information Forms can be downloaded from our Library page.

Volunteers

The lifeblood of the Museum is its loyal volunteers.  To find out more about our volunteers and how you can become involved please contact us.

Click here for Site Map                                                            Museum Departments Email and phone details Tour groups children schools tourist

 
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