Melbourne Maritime Museum
The Melbourne Maritime Museum, managed by the National Trust of Australia, is situated in Southbank on the Yarra River in the city of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
It is home to the Polly Woodside Barque, the now restored cargo vessel launched in 1885. The Polly Woodside vessel resides in an original wooden walled dry dock and gives visitors an insight into the development of the Port of Melbourne from pre-European settlement to the present day. The dry dock was used for the repair and service of ships for over a 100 years.
Historic buildings on the site include a pump house and boiler room for use in pumping water from the dry dock. Cargo sheds are home to displays, artefacts and models.
The museum is a popular attraction for school children and offers extensive education programs. One such overnight program titled 'Set Sail for the Southern Ocean' gives students the opportunity to experience first hand life on a nineteenth century sailing ship.
Extensive archives and a library hold over 30,000 photos relating to maritime history from the nineteenth century to the current day as well as 200 years worth of Lloyd's Registers.
Facilities on the site include a café, souvenir shop and children's play areas.