Port Albert - Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum
Port Albert is a historic port and played a vital role in early settlement of the country. The museum is filled with a outstanding collection of original early memorabilia from sea shells to cannons. Discover the early fishing apparatus and boat building tools, as well as a wealth of written history of early settlers and pioneers.
Exhibitions - Significant items dealing with Gippsland's maritime history are housed in the 1861 Bank of Victoria building and in the John Irving Archives in the adjacent former CBC bank office. Port Albert was the original Port of Entry for the Gippsland Gold Fields and the old bank vault houses a display on Gippsland Gold Discovery. In the entrance room is the 400kg, 1.3m high drum lens from the Cape Liptrap lighthouse, the Cliffy Island cannon; and the story of the Bass Strait lighthouses is told in the display on "The Mailmen of Bass Strait". The growth and decline of Port Albert's fishing fleet is outlined in the fishing room display on "The Sharkers of Port Albert". There is also a comprehensive shell collection and the Chinaman's Point diorama and information boards have the findings of a recent archaeological dig at the site of the 19th century Chinese fish curing industry at Port Albert.
Outdoor Collection - Outdoor exhibits in the delightful gardens of the Museum include the Cliffy Island lighthouse work boat and the "Talking Boat", centred on the "Morning Star" and the evocative sounds of an overnight trip on the century old inlet fishing boat. As well as several giant anchors, the original Port Albert wharf crane and a mysterious moving boats mural.
Navigation and Communication - The extensive Navigation and Communication exhibit traces the history from the day of the hand-held sextant to the latest satellite navigation aids. A pushbutton activated display of the original 1952 coastal radio base station, used to communicate with the fishing fleet, is a feature. The museum also holds the only display of Omega Navigation base equipment in Australia.
Ships and Shipwrecks - A spectacular sound and light show in "Shipwreck Alley" features artefacts from the "Clonmel", one of the last wooden paddle steamers, wrecked in 1841 on a sandbar at the entrance to what is now known as Port Albert. There are also relics from the "Blackbird", Cambridge" and "Gulf of Carpentaria". On display is the Breeches Buoy 2 stage Rocket Lifesaving Equipment issued to Port Albert in 1871 which the Smithsonian Institute says is one of the few intact ones left in the world.
Citadel Island Lighthouse
Citadel Island Lighthouse was located on the top of a spectacular granite island off Wilsons Promontory and was the first automatic acetylene light installed by the Commonwealth Lighthouse Service. First lit in 1913 it was removed and replaced by a GRP cabinet and the light converted to solar power in 1982. The old lantern was dismantled and removed to Port Albert, where it was restored for display at the Port Albert Maritime Museum in 2004.
Opening Hours:
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Cost:
Admission Cost
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Location
Bay Street, Port Albert 3971 Map
✆ (03) 5183 2520
Web Links
→ Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum
→ Port Albert Maritime Museum on Facebook
