New Zealand’s
fascinating maritime past.

This museum contains a wide variety of maritime displays, artefacts, miniature models, boats, and photographs. Exhibits include whaling, oystering, the many shipwrecks around the challenging southern coast, the construction of the Bluff Harbour Board, and a working triple expansion steam engine from the TST Awarua. It also delves into the history of Bluff, one of the oldest European settled communities in New Zealand, with early maps and historic artworks.

The museum's biggest attraction is the oystering boat, Monica II, situated in pride of place beside the museum on a replica sea bed with oyster dredges. It was kindly donated by the Jones family after it was retired from a life at sea. You are able to board the vessel and explore all its nooks and crannys, imagining what it is like out in Foveaux Strait dredging Bluff's delicacy.

With a continuously growing collection of exhibits and artifacts, there is always something new to see when you visit the Maritime Museum.