Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum
Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum
4.5
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Monday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Tuesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Wednesday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Thursday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Friday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Saturday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Sunday
11:00 AM - 3:00 PM
About
Explore Tasmania’s rich Maritime History at the Bass and Flinders Maritime Museum. Located in Northern Tasmania in historic George Town, the centre shares the journey of explorers Bass and Flinders who sailed the sloop Norfolk right into the Tamar River in 1798. The Centre includes other historic boats that visitors can explore in detail within this unique display including the Tom Thumb and the whale boat Elizabeth. The old picture theatre in George Town was specifically modified to house the sloop. The Norfolk is berthed next to a wharf which is setup with a typical dockside warehouse, complete with crew waiting to go aboard
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
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4.5
108 reviews
Excellent
73
Very good
30
Average
3
Poor
1
Terrible
1
HahnTravels
Liverpool, Australia1,213 contributions
Nov. 2023 • Solo
Volunteer run, this is a fantastic museum for a small town. $8 entry fee. Knowledgeable and passionate guides will give you the overall history of the museum and those behind it and then of course, some history on Bass & Flinders.
Highlight was walking on a replica sloop of the Norfolk where you are able to climb down into each of the three cabins below deck.
Plenty to keep you interested for an hour or two (or three)
Highlight was walking on a replica sloop of the Norfolk where you are able to climb down into each of the three cabins below deck.
Plenty to keep you interested for an hour or two (or three)
Written 26 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark J
Sydney, Australia43 contributions
Oct. 2023 • Couples
This a great place to spend 1-2 hours. Michael our guide was great with his knowledge and easy manner
Written 25 October 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
westy54
Sydney, Australia9,046 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
Housing displays and information covering much of the early Maritime history of Tasmania and, by extension, Australia, in a converted movie theatre, this small museum was one of the highlights of our visit to Launceston and Northern Tasmania.
Entry was only $6.00 per adult ($4.00 per senior). The cost is no doubt kept down given the dedication of the volunteers who introduced us to the museum, were fountains of interesting information and chaperoned us on our discovery of the replica sloop of the Norfolk where we walked on the decks and climbed down into each of the three cabins below deck.
The museum had full scale replicas of a number of ships including The Elizabeth, Tom Thumb and the largest, Norfolk. The latter was used to re-enact the voyage of George Bass and Matthew Flinders in 1798 which circumnavigated Tasmania therefore defining it as an island separate from the mainland of Australia. There was also a small sailing dinghy called Melanie and a restored 1865 eight-oared ferry boat called The Admiral which had been discovered abandoned in NSW.
Extremely interesting and informative. Well worth a visit.
Entry was only $6.00 per adult ($4.00 per senior). The cost is no doubt kept down given the dedication of the volunteers who introduced us to the museum, were fountains of interesting information and chaperoned us on our discovery of the replica sloop of the Norfolk where we walked on the decks and climbed down into each of the three cabins below deck.
The museum had full scale replicas of a number of ships including The Elizabeth, Tom Thumb and the largest, Norfolk. The latter was used to re-enact the voyage of George Bass and Matthew Flinders in 1798 which circumnavigated Tasmania therefore defining it as an island separate from the mainland of Australia. There was also a small sailing dinghy called Melanie and a restored 1865 eight-oared ferry boat called The Admiral which had been discovered abandoned in NSW.
Extremely interesting and informative. Well worth a visit.
Written 22 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Woven by R
Dover, Australia102 contributions
Mar. 2023
Interesting, informative the replica boats are brilliant. My husband is into boat building so was enthralled with the museum and meeting like minded people. I am into history and found the information on Flinders fascinating. Also have to give a big shout for the gentlman who was selling the door tickets on 20 March 2023, so interesting and had so much history to share about the first nations people of Tasmania.
Written 21 March 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterLangston
Tamworth, Australia1,005 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Couples
The Norfolk
In George Town we visited the Bass and Flinders Museum and were entertained and informed by a terrific volunteer of the history of B & F and their boats. A full replica of the Norfolk, which the pair used to circumnavigate Tasmania in 1798 - another task easier and less painful than it sounds. It was fabulously appointed and we enjoyed walking her decks and climbing down into her three very different cabins. Its creator, Bern Cuthbertson, sailed seven thousand nautical miles in the replica, including a retracing of the explorers track around Tasmania to celebrate the 200th year since the original. We had seen it from the shore in Yamba as Cuthbertson further explored the paths of Flinders.
It’s a small museum which tells a big history but the volunteers make it what it is.
In George Town we visited the Bass and Flinders Museum and were entertained and informed by a terrific volunteer of the history of B & F and their boats. A full replica of the Norfolk, which the pair used to circumnavigate Tasmania in 1798 - another task easier and less painful than it sounds. It was fabulously appointed and we enjoyed walking her decks and climbing down into her three very different cabins. Its creator, Bern Cuthbertson, sailed seven thousand nautical miles in the replica, including a retracing of the explorers track around Tasmania to celebrate the 200th year since the original. We had seen it from the shore in Yamba as Cuthbertson further explored the paths of Flinders.
It’s a small museum which tells a big history but the volunteers make it what it is.
Written 25 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rincewind60
3 contributions
Feb. 2023 • Couples
For a small country town this museum is quite wonderful. The replica Norfolk ship is beautiful and they let you climb all over it and in it. The volunteers on hand are also very friendly and knowledgeable. The price is incredibly cheap, only $6 for adults and $4 for us old crusty seniors. Well worth a visit.
Written 21 February 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Howmanywhinges
Sydney, Australia90 contributions
Jan. 2023 • Couples
The centre ( a very large building)has a number of boats, including Australia’s oldest boat The Arcadia (which has been restored). The key feature however is the full sized replica of Bass and Flinders boat that was used to assess if Tasmania was really an island in 1798.
You are given a guided tour on board as part of your $6 admission fee and are allowed to climb down the 3 hulls to see how the 8 sailors lived on board. What a treat!
There is also a short guided tour on the floor of the centre with various displays outlining the lives of Bass and Flinders.
A great experience for both children and adults.
You are given a guided tour on board as part of your $6 admission fee and are allowed to climb down the 3 hulls to see how the 8 sailors lived on board. What a treat!
There is also a short guided tour on the floor of the centre with various displays outlining the lives of Bass and Flinders.
A great experience for both children and adults.
Written 14 January 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue L
New Gisborne, Australia23 contributions
Aug. 2022
Firstly, a big thank you to Craig Dixon who was our tour guide on the day. Craig was lucky enough to help build the replica of the Norfolk and take it on a return trip from Sydney and around Tasmania in 1998.
The centre it’s self is beautifully presented with replica boats on display including the Norfolk and the Tom Thumb. The workmanship is extraordinary and something that needs to be witnessed. Anyone who appreciates wood carvings should make the most of this impressive display.
The rest of the centre is devoted to Bass and Flinders, featuring historical information which is both interesting and thought provoking. I would suggest that if you are able to, get a guide to walk you through (and on) the Norfolk. It’ll be well worth your while.
The centre it’s self is beautifully presented with replica boats on display including the Norfolk and the Tom Thumb. The workmanship is extraordinary and something that needs to be witnessed. Anyone who appreciates wood carvings should make the most of this impressive display.
The rest of the centre is devoted to Bass and Flinders, featuring historical information which is both interesting and thought provoking. I would suggest that if you are able to, get a guide to walk you through (and on) the Norfolk. It’ll be well worth your while.
Written 13 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PeterKim
Maroochydore, Australia17 contributions
May 2022
This is an exceptional museum staffed by knowledgeable, eloquent and enthusiastic volunteers. They readily rewrote our primary school history and understanding of the exploits of Bass and Flinders. We gained an in-depth insight into the privations, sacrifice and resilience of them through the extensive exhibits, records, extracts and audio-visual displays. Our misconceptions were readily corrected and we came away with a much more accurate and elaborate awareness of these amazing mariners/explorers. Only a full day would do justice to a visit.
Written 29 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dan L
Bunbury, Australia7,271 contributions
Mar. 2022
All the maritime museums that we visited in Tasmania showcased some exceptional historical artefacts, wonderful interpretative signage and above all, enthusiastic and knowledgeable staff and/or volunteers. The Bass & Flinders was right up there with the rest. As we were the sole visitors for a short time, we had a volunteer lady's undivided attention as she accompanied us to some of the major exhibits. Wonderful displays, detailed information on Bass and Flinders, the replica Sloop, 'Norfolk', a whaleboat, the 'Elizabeth,' maps, charts, photographs, the restored 'Admiral,' originally built in 1865, and so much more. Just remarkable and so well curated.
Written 8 May 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Frequently Asked Questions about Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum
- Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum is open:
- Sun - Sat 11:00 am - 3:00 pm
- Hotels near Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum:
- (0.03 km) Junction Motel
- (0.11 km) The Charles Robbins
- (0.09 km) Comfort Inn The Pier
- (0.34 km) The Grove
- (0.34 km) Gray's Hotel
- Restaurants near Bass & Flinders Maritime Museum:
- (0.02 km) Don Mario's Ristorante
- (0.06 km) Cafe 1069
- (0.15 km) The Signature Cafe
- (0.08 km) Comfort Inn The Pier Restaurant
- (0.15 km) Tamar Cakes