Port Welshpool and District Maritime Museum

The Port Welshpool and District Maritime Museum is based around a collection of marine items, maritime relics, official documents, photographs and many objects of historical interest.

Mr. William Bruce McGuire Smith and his sons Richie and Arnie gathered the collection over 80 years of professional fishing in Bass Strait. Mr. Smith Snr was an early fisherman, who based his activities at Port Welshpool. As fishermen and charter boat operators William and his sons gathered a treasure chest of unusual items.

The building that houses the collection was the first permanent dwelling erected in the township. It was the home of the Smith family for the period of their fishing activities. When Arnie Smith took over the house and the family fishing boat the Janet Iles (pictured above) he continued to add to the collection.

In 1975 Arnie retired and handed the home and contents over to the Shire of South Gippsland to be preserved as a permanent tourist attraction for visitors. Today the museum is maintained by a dedicated Committee of Management and continues to attract many tourists visiting the Port Welshpool area (see map).

Open Weekends and Public Holidays 12.30 pm - 4:30 pm or by appointment.

For more information:
Contact: John Woolley
Phone 03 5664 7509
Email j.woolley@optusnet.com.au
Website Port Welshpool Maritime Museum