Bass Strait Maritime Museum

22/08/2026

📣 A HUGE SHOUT-OUT TO OUR AMAZING VOLUNTEERS PAST AND PRESENT ⚓💙

Our museum simply wouldn’t be what it is without the incredible people who give their time, skills and passion to help keep our maritime history alive.

From welcoming visitors and sharing stories, to caring for our collections, working behind the scenes and helping with special events — every contribution makes a difference.

👏 Thank you to each and every one of our volunteers for everything you do for the North West Coast’s Premier Maritime Museum.

We truly couldn’t do it without you! ❤️⚓

Thank you, volunteers! 🙌

22/08/2026

As part of the Bicentenary weekend of activities, the tall ship, Julie Burgess, will be in port with thanks to the support and sponsorship by TasPorts. Two hour tours available Saturday 31st October and Sunday 1st November, 10am and 2pm. Cost $80 + Booking Fee.
Tickets are on sale now
https://events.humanitix.com/julie-burgess-stanley-sailings
For the itinerary of the weekend's activities
https://stanleyandtarkine.com.au/stanley-bicentenary/

22/08/2026

⚓️ Our Local Navy Room at Bass Strait Maritime Museum ⚓️

A wonderful part of the Bass Strait Maritime Museum, our local Navy Room is a place where friendships are made, stories are shared, and the service and sacrifice of our Navy personnel are remembered and honoured.

It’s a special space celebrating our naval history and the people who have served, while bringing our local community together.

Come along, discover the stories, and experience a little piece of our maritime heritage. 🇦🇺⚓️

22/08/2026

Sunday 23 August marks a milestone for Tasmania 🚢 The newest addition to the Spirit of Tasmania fleet arrives in Devonport for the first time!

📍 Devonport Waterfront, Haines Park
🕖 7:00am to 8:30am (vessel arrival - 7:20am)

As part of its commissioning program, the vessel is visiting its future home port ahead of entering passenger service later this year. While there will be no passengers on board and the vessel will not be open for public access, this is a rare opportunity to witness an important moment in Spirit of Tasmania's history.

🥓 Free bacon and egg rolls (while stocks last)
☕ Coffee for purchase from local vendors
📸 Plenty of photo ops

This is a free community event and registrations encouraged to help with catering.
👉 Register here: https://url.au.m.mimecastprotect.com/s/JhFvC71ZoAcm348oS8f3jhoMYx6?domain=eventbrite.com.au

Whether you're a Spirit regular, a supporter of Tasmania's maritime future, or just want to be part of the moment, we'd love to see you there!

17/08/2026

Today, August 18, we remember and honour the veterans of the Vietnam War, and all those who served.

We remember their courage, sacrifice and service, and we pay tribute to those who never came home. We also remember the families who carried the burden of war at home.

Lest we forget. 🇦🇺🌺

09/08/2026

09/08/2026

🌉 THE BASS STRAIT BRIDGE — YES, GOVERNMENTS HAVE ACTUALLY LOOKED INTO IT! 😂

Believe it or not, the idea of connecting Tasmania to mainland Australia with a bridge or tunnel across Bass Strait isn’t just something dreamed up after a few beers at the pub. 🍻😂

Governments and engineers have looked at the idea over the years, with various proposals and studies considering whether a fixed link could ever be built.

And then they presumably looked at the numbers and said…

“Righto… maybe another day.” 🤣💰

We’re talking about an enormous project — potentially around 240 km of bridge, tunnel, or a combination of both.

The challenges?

🌊 Bass Strait doing its best impression of an angry washing machine
💨 Weather that doesn't read engineering reports
🪨 Complicated geology
🐳 Environmental concerns
🏗️ Engineering on a truly ridiculous scale
💰 And a price tag potentially running into tens of billions of dollars

But imagine the possibilities!

07/08/2026

📸 Looking for photos, stories and memories of the tunnel under the Mersey River

I’m trying to find information, old photographs and personal stories about the tunnel that runs beneath the Mersey River.

I’d love to hear from anyone who remembers the tunnel, used it, worked there, or had family members who were involved in its construction or operation.

If you have any old photos, newspaper cuttings, documents, memories or interesting stories, please share them in the comments or send me a private message.

Even the smallest detail could help uncover more about the history of this fascinating tunnel.

Please feel free to share this post with anyone who might have a connection to the tunnel or its history.

Thank you! 🙏📷

25/07/2026

⚠️ Temporary Change to Opening Hours
Due to unforeseen circumstances, the Bass Strait Maritime Museum will be opening later than usual today and will welcome visitors from 11:00am.
We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

We look forward to seeing you from 11:00am onwards.
Thank you for your patience and support. ⚓️

25/07/2026

The Night the G. Ward Cole Met Her End...

For five years, the bucket dredge G. Ward Cole quietly carried out the hard work of keeping our waterways open. But on the night of 29 October 1930, her story took a dramatic turn.

As a powerful storm lashed the coast, the dredge was ripped from her moorings and driven relentlessly onto the East Devonport breakwater. The sea had won.

Crews fought to save her, but every attempt to refloat the battered vessel ended in failure. Once there was no hope left, the G. Ward Cole was dismantled where she lay, leaving her broken remains to rust beside the shore.

Almost a century later, those rusting fragments can still be seen at low tide—a silent reminder of one wild night when nature claimed one of Devonport's hardest-working vessels.

Have you ever spotted what's left of the G. Ward Cole?