Portland’s Maritime Discovery Centre was built in 1998 and houses the Portland Visitor Information Centre and a maritime museum.
The museum includes permanent displays documenting the region’s rich maritime history including whaling, ship wrecks, rescue, navigation and the local fishing industry.
The museum also has a temporary exhibition space with changing maritime-themed displays.
Our Collection
Centrepiece of the museum is the 1858 Portland lifeboat, famous for its role in the ?Admella? rescue of 1859. The lifeboat is one of the oldest remaining unrestored intact vessels in Australia, possibly the world.
Other objects in the collection include material from the Port of Portland Collection – photographs, technical instruments, diving equipment and maritime tools; and the skeleton of a 14 metre Sperm Whale.