At Crib Point, you’ll find the Victorian Maritime Centre. the museum is dedicated to preserving Australia’s rich sea history of both Naval and Merchant Navy. The centre showcases many artefacts and exhibits. The exhibitions at the Victorian Maritime Centre let visitors explore Australia’s rich maritime history.
10.00am – 3pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Good Friday
Address: 220 The Esplanade, Crib Point VIC 3915
Book a ticket or a tour Online
For group bookings or education visits, please contact us
Features of the Tour:
The museum’s display shows the story. It tells about Australia’s first submarine. It was the AE2.
It covers the role during the Gallipoli campaign. It also covers the breaching of the Dardanelles.
Witness HMAS Australia in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. It was a heavy cruiser facing kamikaze attacks during World War II.
The models work well. They display Australian warships. The models exhibit fine craftsmanship.
This is a model of the museum’s Wyuna pilot cutter. It is being restored in Tasmania
Highlights:
Experience life in the Royal and Merchant Navies.
Experts are available. They can answer any questions.
Are you part of a local group, club or organisation?
Why not consider us for your next event?
We have a number of groups that make an annual pilgrimage to the Western Port area and include us in their itinerary.
There are plenty of enjoyable activities and eateries in the Western Port region for you to enjoy, while you’re here!
The Victorian Maritime Centre is where you’ll learn about Victoria’s rich sailing history.
A video intro sets the stage. It features old footage and reenactments.
The stories are about brave sailors. The books are about iconic lighthouses. They are also about daring rescues. Their characters leap off the page.
The exhibits bring this history to life. They show relics. The relics spark admiration. They show the region has a rich heritage.
Age is a number. Our oldest worker is ninety-nine years old. He is the heart and soul of the Duncan MacKinnon Library.
A Treasure Trove of Knowledge:
Housing over 2,000 books spanning various genres, the library is a haven for book lovers.
The collection also includes old newspapers, journals, navy magazines, photos, and postcards. They showcase Australia’s beauty and history.
Community Engagement:
Items are not for lending. However, visitors can explore and enjoy them during our operating hours.
We continue to expand our display collection. We rely on dedicated volunteers to help keep and share knowledge.
Join us in honouring Duncan MacKinnon’s legacy and celebrating our vibrant community spirit. Learn more
Cataloging artifacts involves describing and recording their physical characteristics, history, and cultural significance. It is a crucial step. It preserves cultural heritage, provides access to collections, and manages exhibitions.
Key Points:
Creating a catalog entry with details such as measurements and historical data.
Utilizing standardized procedures and software for accuracy and consistency.
Volunteers craft meticulous logs of each museum acquisition, showcasing it clearly.
Ferguson Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow, Scotland, built the ship. They constructed it in 1953. They built it for the Port Phillip Sea Pilots as a pilot cutter.
The MV Wyuna was a pilot cutter. It sailed with pilots on board to meet ships entering Port Phillip Bay.
Her workboat would take pilots to the vessel in need of a pilot. The authorities would stop the vessel in the water for shelter.
In the early 1970s, the pilot service began using fast launches. These allowed pilots to board while ships were still in motion.
Launceston, Tasmania, houses the Australian Maritime College. It acquired the MV Wyuna as a training vessel in 1979. She operated in this capacity until 2004. After that, Mineralogy Pty Ltd purchased her as a live-aboard ship.
Do you love maritime history and want to help preserve it? Look no further, because we have the perfect opportunity for you!
Join a dedicated team.
Help design and build future exhibitions.
Research items from maritime history.
Engage in maritime “chit-chat” over a tasty lunch from the Centre.
Keeping exhibitions fascinating.
Engaging visitors
Documenting and preserving maritime heritage.
We are working to keep maritime history in great shape for years to come. Join us. Enjoy the great camaraderie with like-minded people. Share stories and experiences.
HMAS AE2, originally known as AE2, served as an E-class submarine of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and was commissioned in 1914. Alongside her sister submarine, HMAS AE1, AE2 undertook the longest submarine voyage at the time, sailing to Australia, marking a significant achievement for the fledgling navy.
HMAS Australia (I84/D84/C01), a County-class heavy cruiser of the Royal Australian Navy (RAN), was a formidable vessel that played a significant role in World War II. One of two Kent-subclass ships ordered for the RAN, Australia was designed to be a powerful and versatile warship, capable of engaging enemy surface ships, aircraft and even shore installations
Welcome to the Victorian Maritime Centre’s digital creation page! Here, you can explore the rich history and culture of maritime life in Victoria, Australia
HMAS Castlemaine played a vital role in protecting Australian waters during World War II, conducting patrols, escorting convoys, and engaging in anti-submarine warfare.
The Victorian Maritime Centre
220 The Esplanade
Crib Point
