The Shiplovers' Society of Tasmania first began lobbying for a nautical room at the Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery in 1931.

In 1972, a group of six enthusiasts decided to establish an independent maritime museum, pooling their private collections with artefacts donated by the Shiplovers’ Society. Public contributions and donations supplement the original displays.

The museum first opened in March 1973 in two rooms at the back of St George's Church in Battery Point. The official opening occurred in December 1974 and the museum was incorporated in the same year.

During 1983, the museum moved into historic Secheron House (1831), close to former Battery Point shipyards an historic centre of Tasmanian shipbuilding.

In 1999, the museum took its first steps towards becoming a major community resource and attraction for the twenty-first century, moving to the Carnegie Building close to the business centre of Hobart and Mawson Place, Constitution Dock and Sullivans Cove, the maritime heart of the city.

Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the new museum in March 2000.

Donations

If you would like to make a donation to the Maritime Museum of Tasmania please click here.

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