Focusing on the historical aspects of the shore-based whaling industry in Spring Bay, the contemporary situation with whale visitations to our region, and the story of local boatbuilder Neil Drake.
Spring Bay Maritime & Discovery Centre
Welcome! Our Centre is about celebrating local history and the creative arts in the Spring Bay region of Tasmania’s beautiful east coast.
The Centre is made up of 3 groups, providing creative, practical and informative spaces for members and visitors to participate in and enjoy.
museum
Maritime Museum
Our Museum celebrates the history and maritime legacy of the Spring Bay region through local history, storytelling events and exhibitions. The Museum’s annual exhibition is open every day in January of each year. We’re also open on Mondays 9.30am-1.00pm and by appointment.
shed
Community Shed
Celebrating local wooden
boat-building heritage
Sourcing
Boats that have fallen on hard times are sourced and brought to the Shed
Restoring
Shed members work together to bring sad old wooden boats back to life
Finishing
With time, skill and effort, restoration is complete and boats are set to go
Enjoying
We have fun along the way and enjoy getting together to share
studio
Studio & Gallery
The Studio encourages creativity through a vibrant art space, with classes in drawing, painting, printmaking and much more. The Studio is led by a professional artist.
Open every Monday 9.30am to 1.00pm and through January, when our yearly exhibition is on show. Also open by appointment. Visitors and new members are most welcome.
What's Happening
News and Events at Spring Bay Maritime & Discovery Centre
There is…Still Life in Spring Bay Exhibition
The Studio’s exhibition ‘There is…Still Life in Spring Bay’ ran throughout January and was a great success, with a 43% increase in visitor numbers from last year! A total of 1,168 local, interstate and international (from 19 countries) people enjoyed viewing the works that Studio artists had worked on throughout the year. We got some great feedback and enjoyed many interesting chats with locals and tourists alike. Members were again rostered in pairs each day to spread the workload; encouraging all to vote in the People’s Choice Award, won by local artist Su Morice.
2020 Summer Cruise
Our Summer Evening Cruise took place on Saturday 8 February aboard the Maria Island Ferry (run by Navigator) and was very successful. Whilst the number of guests was a little down on last year, everyone who attended had an excellent night. This yearly event helps the Maritime Museum raise much needed funds to allow us to continue to open and develop our exhibitions, so thanks to all who attended.
Working towards the Wooden Boat Festival
Our Shed boat building team Bernard and Chris are working on a beautiful old boat which we are hoping to enter in next years Wooden Boat Festival. If we manage to pull it off, what a wonderful achievement for our Shed as well a great asset.
about
A bit more about the Centre
- The Centre is an Association, run by volunteers
- We operate from an old fish-processing factory on Triabunna's wharf, on a temporary lease basis
- The Executive Committee comprises the President; Museum, Shed and Studio representatives; plus Secretary, Treasurer and Public Officer. Monthly meetings are held to share ideas and ensure that the Centre is running smoothly. The AGM is held each September
- We're a registered charity, with deductible gift recipient status for donations over $2.00. We fundraise to raise operating costs and also to enable progress to our own site in the future
- New members are most welcome - click here to download our membership form
Jim Playsted
President
Dale Pearce
Chair, Maritime Museum
Peter Deak
Chair, Community Shed
Sue Nettlefold
Chair, Studio & Gallery
We Are Here...
We’re situated on Tasmania’s east coast at the Marina, 17 Esplanade, Triabunna (close by the Maria Island Ferry Terminal)
Spring Bay Maritime & Discovery Centre Inc
ABN 29 601 920 913
17 Esplanade West, Triabunna, Tasmania 7190
PO Box 264, Orford, Tasmania 7190
sbmdc.at.triabunna@gmail.com