What are the opening hours?

Monday 9am - 5pm Tuesday 9am - 5pm Wednesday 9am - 5pm Thursday 9am - 5pm Friday 9am - 5pm Saturday 11am - 3pm Sunday 11am - 3pm

https://www.facebook.com/100156648286576/

Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum

Home
Australia
Port MacDonnell, SA
Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum

Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum The history of this one-time large, bustling port, with beautiful but treacherous coast.

Within the museum walls you will find information and displays on over 40 local shipwrecks, past local industry, and photographs depicting the town and its people.

21/03/2025

A new exhibit has been added to the "Land" section of the Museum. A large collection of amazing local volcanic specimens have been placed on permanent loan by local volcanic researcher Geoffrey Aslin. Several other specimens have been donated to the Museum by Malcolm Sheard, a retired Volcanologist. A video of Mt Schank will be added to the new display in the coming months.

09/03/2025

Last month Pt MacDonnell Maritime Museum had a visit from Mhairi McKean, Secretary of the "Banff Preservation and Heritage Trust and Museum of Banff" in Scotland. Mhairi brought a gift with her: Our Museum now has a more detailed history of 'The Witness' one of the ships wrecked here in 1853. The booklet Mhairi gave us details the journey of 'The Witness' from Scotland to Australia in 1852.The story of the ship's momentous journey is told by people who travelled on the ship and is told mainly, in their own words. How sad to think this beautiful ship sailed all the way to Australia only to be wrecked after rough seas ran her ashore just east of Cape Northumberland. We have been in contact with Mhairi to thank her sincerely for visiting our Museum and bringing this wonderful gift to add to our knowledge of 'The Witness'.

24/02/2025

After their introduction to Australia in 1859 rabbits were in plague proportions. Visit Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum to view the history of two local Rabbit Factories.

17/02/2025

As far back as the 1800's Port MacDonnell townsfolk have always been a sporty lot!

07/02/2025

A heavy sea fog rolled in at Port MacDonnell last week. In 1890 at this time of the year, The Glenrosa met her fate off our coast during one of the heaviest coastal fogs recorded up to that time. The full story of this shipwreck can be found in Geoffrey Aslin's book, 'Kongorong from Land to Sea'.

25/01/2025

Very busy along our beautiful foreshore in Port MacDonnell today. It was a little less busy in 1910, 1916 and 1926. 😍

22/01/2025

Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum has continued to grow and change since it commenced in 1987 in the Institute building. Port MacDonnell Community Complex was built on the old tennis courts, visible in this photograph taken from the Water Tower in 1999. The Complex was officially opened in November 2011 and included in the design was the amazing Museum space to house the ever-growing displays of shipwrecks and local history.

19/01/2025

Visitor numbers to Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum have been terrific over the last few months. Our 9 audio visual displays, including a short film about the local Cray Fishing Industry are very popular. 😍

16/01/2025

In 2025 Coles and Woolies deliver groceries to our door. In 1928 it was done a little differently!

14/01/2025

Loads of visitors having a walk out on the Jetty at present. It was just as popular back in the 1800's!

08/01/2025

Lots of familiar surnames in this Allendale East Public School photo from 1911.

28/12/2024

When it's not beach weather and you are looking for an indoor family activity bring your little explorers into the Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum. They will enjoy ticking off all the items on our Museum Explorer sheets and getting their Museum sticker. [It's tricky trying to find the last item: 'the tiny mouse']

17/12/2024

Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum current and past Committee members have been excited to see the installation of the Shipwreck Bollards on our beautiful foreshore this week. One of the bollards commemorates the wreck of the Tenterden. She struck the reef west of the town towards Cape Northumberland on December 23rd 1893. Visit the Museum to read the story of how the Tenterden came to grief so close to shore.

10/12/2024

Scanning old photos at Port Macdonnell Maritime Museum has revealed some gems. There are some familiar local names in this photo from 1947. Father Christmas even made an appearance. 🎅

04/12/2024

School holidays are almost here and it is a perfect time to visit the Museum to see Father Christmas back on the jetty, this year he has his fishing rod with him. 😍

28/11/2024

Great group of very interested visitors in our museum today: members of Mt Gambier, U3A Words Alive group.

23/11/2024

Next month marks the164th anniversary of the first pile driven in to construct the Port MacDonnell jetty. The new road to Mt Gambier and the opening of the jetty took place the following year on April 10,1861.

11/11/2024

At times local residents out number tourists visiting Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum. Lots of familiar faces in this 1953 school photo!

Address

5/7 Charles Street
Port Macdonnell, SA
5291

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	11am - 3pm
Sunday	11am - 3pm

Website

facebook.com

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Business

Send a message to Port MacDonnell Maritime Museum: