Gippsland Regional Maritime Museum

THE OLDEST PORT IN GIPPSLAND

The Maritime Museum in the heart of historic Port Albert features displays which tell stories of frontier Gippsland, starting with the dramatic wrecking of the paddle steamer "Clonmel" at the Port Albert Entrance in 1841 and the years when it was the "Golden Port" with the rush of prospectors bound for the Goldfields of Walhalla and Omeo and the shipping of tonnes of gold out to Melbourne.

Many 19th century shipwrecks in Bass Strait necessitating the building of spectacular lighthouses which were serviced from Port Albert and there is a room devoted to items from Deal Island and Cliffy Island and the restored Citadel Light is a feature of the outside exhibits.

Other displays are on the unique fishing fleets of Corner Inlet with the "Morning Star", a century old 30 foot shallow draft wooden boat and interactive Omega panels which show the workings of the global positioning system which preceded the latest satnav.

Port Albert is a convenient 3 hours from Melbourne and is a great fish and chips lunch stop on the South Gippsland Highway half way to Lakes Entrance.

The museum is open daily 10.00am - 4pm from September to June, (weekends and school holidays in July/Aug/Sept ). Enquiries phone/fax 03 5183 2520. Check out the Museum's website (search for Port Albert Maritime Museum) with a link to information for coaches and map.