The Museum is open 7 days per week. Click here for details of opening times and admission prices.  Our address is Wharf Street, Queenscliff, Victoria (Melways Ref.499-H9)

There are a number of different aspects to the Museum including a nautical gift shop.

Maritime Festivals and Special Events are highlighted in our Events Calendar. 29 August 2008, Exhibition "America's Atlantic Fleet Steams into Port Phillip" 100 Year Anniversary 1908 - 2008 on display until end December 2008.  Last weekend in February, Queenscliff Maritime Festival including  "Blessing of the Fleet".  Goorangai Day Commemoration Service November each year, Maritime Swap Meet , first Sunday in December each year.

• Museum Exhibits - include the maritime history of Queenscliff and Southern Port Phillip,  wrecks, lifeboats, rescues, early diving equipment, artefacts from shipwrecks, lighthouses and children's play boats. Historic charts and maps of Victoria's coastline and Port Phillip, a hydrographical model of the notorious 'Rip' which shows the contours of the entrance to Port Phillip, the rock banks and Rip Deep are also on display.

• Lifeboat Queenscliffe - initially the Museum was formed to preserve the last Queenscliff lifeboat which was in service between 1926 and 1976.  This lifeboat is a central attraction at the Museum.

• Lighthouses  -  both the buildings and internal equipment are a major focus of the Museum.

• 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 ready for school use. Children's Historical 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. Request for Information Forms can be downloaded from or Library site.

• Port Phillip Sea Pilots - The official  history and operation of this service is a feature of the Museum including videos, work boat from the Cutter Wyuna, historic artefacts from the pilot service, charts and maps.

• Boatshed  - inside the Museum grounds is a replica of an early Queenscliff boat building shed.  This shed displays the history of the unique Queenscliff Couta Boat and the early boat builders. The heading of our website shows couta boats under sail.. Today the boatshed is used for display, restoration and repairs.

• Historic items - The Museum is responsible for the preservation of many historic 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; Deckhouse of the Shandon; anchors; beacons; buoys  propellers and much much more.

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.

Enjoy visiting our website, it links to other maritime sites and sites in historical Queenscliff. Please contact us by phone or email. We would like to hear from you.

                                                            Click here to go to our Site Map