The George Town region in Tasmania is home to two fascinating maritime museums: the Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum and the Low Head Maritime Museum. The Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum is centrally located in George Town on Tasmania's Tamar River. It houses a varied collection of maritime artifacts, including replicas like the sloop 'Norfolk', James Kelly's whaleboat 'Elizabeth', the ex-naval cutter 'Kenneth Dickenson', and the gentle 'Melanie'. The museum features an extensive collection of maps, charts, photographs, paintings, logbooks, movies, and more. It occupies the 1835 convict-built Pilots Row, the oldest and largest building on the site, sharing stories of shipping on the Tamar River through relics from the days of sail and steam. Children can engage in hands-on activities like handling the ship's helm, operating the engine room telegraphs, sounding the fog horn, and sending messages in Morse Code. The museum also has a collection of small sailing boats in the boatshed that can be visited.
After visiting the museums, visitors can linger at the Coxswain's Cottage Cafe for a coffee or snack, or explore the grounds and nearby beaches. The George Town region offers a rich maritime history and a delightful experience for visitors of all ages.