The Bass Strait Maritime Museum holds a special place in the heart of Devonport, shaping the cultural heritage landscape and contributing significantly to the city’s identity since 1973. The museum’s commitment to preserving, researching, interpreting, and exhibiting its collections has made it one of the most highly visited cultural attractions in Northwest Tasmania.
Back in 1982, when Prince Charles proclaimed Devonport a city, he highlighted the presence of the museum as an indicator of the community’s maturity and a catalyst for its evolution from town to city.
Volunteers have been the backbone of the museum since its inception. Leading the way have been dedicated members of the community including luminary Tasmanian historian Fay Gardam. The generosity of our volunteers continues to be at the core of our operations, and Devonport is deeply grateful for their contributions. The role of Bass Strait Maritime Museum as a living, regional museum remains as vital as ever. Far from being just a place to store interesting things, museums have a distinctive role to play in activating change, celebrating culture, educating and inspiring future generations.