Killer Whale Museum
Killer Whale Museum
4.4
9:15 AM - 3:45 PM
Monday
9:15 AM - 3:45 PM
Tuesday
9:15 AM - 3:45 PM
Wednesday
9:15 AM - 3:45 PM
Thursday
9:15 AM - 3:45 PM
Friday
9:15 AM - 3:45 PM
Saturday
9:15 AM - 3:45 PM
Sunday
10:15 AM - 2:45 PM
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience nearby attractions
Are you currently on your trip?
Help us find experiences available for you.
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
26 within 5 kms
Attractions
26 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.4
880 reviews
Excellent
451
Very good
357
Average
55
Poor
10
Terrible
7
Fiona C
Melbourne, Australia148 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
We’d visited nearby Davidson Whaling Station so thought a trip to the local museum for more information would be right.
Not only does the museum tell more of the story of the whalers and orcas (fascinating in itself) but also of what life was like in the area (on average women had 13 children 😳) and a very hard life. Plus more somewhat surprising more modern day tales of the town.
$15 to get in ($5 for kids, under 5 for free) but you can easily spend a couple of hours looking at the exhibits and lighthouse. Nicely put together for a locally built and supported venture. And yes - you exit through the gift store. 🐳
Not only does the museum tell more of the story of the whalers and orcas (fascinating in itself) but also of what life was like in the area (on average women had 13 children 😳) and a very hard life. Plus more somewhat surprising more modern day tales of the town.
$15 to get in ($5 for kids, under 5 for free) but you can easily spend a couple of hours looking at the exhibits and lighthouse. Nicely put together for a locally built and supported venture. And yes - you exit through the gift store. 🐳
Written 3 January 2025
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.
LongReefHacker
Sydney, Australia234 contributions
Nov 2024 • Friends
This is an excellent small museum with amazing stories well presented. Its spectacular centrepiece is the skeleton of "Old Tom", an orca who was the leader of a pack of orcas who frequented Twofold Bay, the body of water beside which Eden sits.
The story of "Old Tom" and his pod, its role in the whaling industry in Twofold Bay and the role of similar pods with both earlier colonists and local indigenous people is amazing. The museum presents it so very well.
There are many exhibits that fill out the history of the whaling industry in this area but also the histories of logging, the other major industry in the early days of Eden, and other maritime pursuits, fishing and transport. There's even a good exhibit from the local football (soccer) club the Eden Killer Whales that explains the club' colours, black and white. It's not hard to guess.
A visit to this museum is a highlight of any visit to Eden. It's an inexpensive, very instructive, fascinating use of 2 to 4 hours of your time.
The story of "Old Tom" and his pod, its role in the whaling industry in Twofold Bay and the role of similar pods with both earlier colonists and local indigenous people is amazing. The museum presents it so very well.
There are many exhibits that fill out the history of the whaling industry in this area but also the histories of logging, the other major industry in the early days of Eden, and other maritime pursuits, fishing and transport. There's even a good exhibit from the local football (soccer) club the Eden Killer Whales that explains the club' colours, black and white. It's not hard to guess.
A visit to this museum is a highlight of any visit to Eden. It's an inexpensive, very instructive, fascinating use of 2 to 4 hours of your time.
Written 20 November 2024
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.
Thehaikubandit
Melbourne, Australia46 contributions
Jan 2025 • Friends
We had a quick visit to the museum, but we could have easily spent a couple of hours there. The staff were lovely and very friendly. In particular I enjoyed the information about how Old Tom's skeleton has been restored, and the methods that were used to do so.
The only disappointment was at the very start of the museum, when they discussed whale ancestors and evolution - the image was AI generated, and suggests that they had five limbs, which is not the case. It would be lovely to see this updated so it can be more accurate for vistors rather than spreading misinformation.
The only disappointment was at the very start of the museum, when they discussed whale ancestors and evolution - the image was AI generated, and suggests that they had five limbs, which is not the case. It would be lovely to see this updated so it can be more accurate for vistors rather than spreading misinformation.
Written 24 January 2025
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.
Simon B
City of Greater Geelong, Australia4,415 contributions
Dec 2024 • Family
Terrific to see a regional town with local museum.
Obviously, the killer whale (sheepdogs of sea) history in Twofold Bay is fascinating.
But all other historical facts about Eden town and region are very interesting.
Timber, fishing and even sports all make for good reading on community lives.
Unfortunately, my teenage sons made visit shorter than would’ve liked ;)
Obviously, the killer whale (sheepdogs of sea) history in Twofold Bay is fascinating.
But all other historical facts about Eden town and region are very interesting.
Timber, fishing and even sports all make for good reading on community lives.
Unfortunately, my teenage sons made visit shorter than would’ve liked ;)
Written 11 December 2024
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.
Martin A
Merimbula, Australia5 contributions
Dec 2023 • Family
Living locally I took my sister here when she visited from Melbourne. We were quite late arriving on a Sunday but the receptionist said we had just over an hour before closing. We paid an exorbitant $15 each and were advised that the 25 minute video of local history would be beneficial to our experience of the rest of the displays. As it was unusually cold and wet, we were the only people in the viewing room.
Half way through the video, an employee came in to tell us that it was half past three and the museum was closed.
So if you want to pay $30 to view half of an amateur video production, want to be lied to, treated disrespectively, and have the worst travel experience of your life this place is for you. If not, save your money and buy Tom Mead’s book “Killers Of Eden” and learn much more.
Half way through the video, an employee came in to tell us that it was half past three and the museum was closed.
So if you want to pay $30 to view half of an amateur video production, want to be lied to, treated disrespectively, and have the worst travel experience of your life this place is for you. If not, save your money and buy Tom Mead’s book “Killers Of Eden” and learn much more.
Written 4 December 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.
Alison M
1 contribution
Apr 2022 • Family
I’m am in disbelief. A museum of archaeic ideas, inapproarioate information for young audiences and disrespect for indigenous culture.
Get with the times, reach out and take the opportunity to education on history but turn the focus to Education on Conservation!!! Not one word or display supporting conservation.
The woman who gathered children aged from 2 years to 8 years and enthusiastically told them about whales being harpooned and indigenous people in the area supporting the whaling in Eden needs to be re-educated appropriately. She then cornered us and told us how passionately she adores the carvings and artwork made from whale bones. I am in disbelief!
To be honest, this museum felt like a house of horrors.
Get with the times, reach out and take the opportunity to education on history but turn the focus to Education on Conservation!!! Not one word or display supporting conservation.
The woman who gathered children aged from 2 years to 8 years and enthusiastically told them about whales being harpooned and indigenous people in the area supporting the whaling in Eden needs to be re-educated appropriately. She then cornered us and told us how passionately she adores the carvings and artwork made from whale bones. I am in disbelief!
To be honest, this museum felt like a house of horrors.
Written 10 April 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.
Carlos S
Melbourne, Australia12 contributions
Apr 2021
Nice museum that showed the history of whaling in Eden and a bit about the own history. There were enough displays to educate you about the whaling industry and how humans and animals worked together for mutual benefit. The displays were simple enough that people old and young can understand. We spent about an hour in the museum so for the price of $12 adults and $5 for kids it was quite reasonable. Gift shop was typical. Good experience and well worth the admission price.
Written 14 April 2021
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.
ITRT
Virginia46,591 contributions
Dec 2022
The Eden Killer Whale Museum chronicles the importance of whaling in Eden and about the importance of whaling in Eden. Members of the indigenous Thawa people of the Yuin nation believed the whales were their warrior relatives. The skeleton of the most famous killer whale, “Old Tom”, is the centerpiece display. As the story goes, Old Tom was an orca who helped the fishermen catch baleen whales. Old Tom and his pod feasted on the lips and tongues of the baleen. Old Tom’s body was washed ashore in 1930. A decision was made to preserve his skeleton and thus the museum was established in 1931 to display it. There are about 10,000 displays and artifacts to catch your interest.
Written 10 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.
Cara W
Canberra, Australia54 contributions
Jan 2024 • Couples
After spending a night in a local hotel that had history on the whaling industry we had to make a visit. It didn’t disappoint. On advice from the volunteer we started with the video which was informative and professionally produced. Love how this museum is keeping the history and lives of the men that worked in the whaling industry alive. All the rooms were well laid out and I liked that they also included history on the town throughout the years. This a museum that’s proud of its history and well worth a visit. We also drove out to the Davidson whaling station to see first hand how the men would have worked in this tough demanding industry.
Written 28 January 2024
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.
RhondaAC
New Zealand51 contributions
May 2021 • Couples
I highly recommend this delightful museum. It shares the unique local story of whaling and the relationship between the killer whales and the whalers.
The entrance fees are very reasonable. We were treated with a informative tour by a volunteer who took time away from his accounting work and generously shared his knowledge with us making sure we could appreciate as much of the displays as we could after we arrived close to closing time.
We left planning to come back when the whales are visiting.
The museum displays are accompanied by interesting handwritten explanations that can be shared by all the family.
Thank you to all involved
The entrance fees are very reasonable. We were treated with a informative tour by a volunteer who took time away from his accounting work and generously shared his knowledge with us making sure we could appreciate as much of the displays as we could after we arrived close to closing time.
We left planning to come back when the whales are visiting.
The museum displays are accompanied by interesting handwritten explanations that can be shared by all the family.
Thank you to all involved
Written 14 May 2021
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.
Is this museum accessible by a Hop-on-Hop-off bus?
Written 15 February 2020
Hello, Unfortunately there is no hop on hop off bus service. The Museum is at the southern end of the Town in the main street and easy to Find. There is also a very nice Fisherman,s Club almost across the road with a very nice smorgasbord.
Written 16 February 2020
Hi am visiting Eden by cruise is there public transport from where passengers disembark and Museum or Taxis etc.
Written 4 November 2015
Ben N
Eden, Australia
The museum is a short walk from the wharf but it is all uphill and a bit steep.
There are usually shuttle buses operating between the wharf and town when the cruise ships are in port so you may find it easier to get on that, get off in town and make your way back to the wharf via the museum - all downhill.
Looking forward to meeting all our visitors from the cruise ships this season.
Written 4 November 2015
Showing results 1-5 of 5
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing