Portland Maritime Discovery Centre

About

At Portland Maritime Discovery Centre you’ll experience a range of activities. Step inside the rib cage of the Sperm Whale skeleton. Unfold the history of Victoria’s birthplace through Portland’s images of the past. Explore treasures from the shipwreck trail. Discover your links with the sea. Discover a wealth of activities available at the regional visitor information centre.

School and after-school groups are also catered for with special packages available that include hands-on participation.

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, shipwrecks, rescue, navigation and the local fishing industry.

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.

Social Stories

Social Stories can be used with individuals with Autism to exchange information that is personalised and illustrated. Social Stories are short, simple and have defined criteria to make them ‘Social Stories’.

Social Stories are helpful to describe events, activities, social norms and managing expectations to people with Autism.

Council has created Social Stories for some frequently visited venues across the Shire. All Councils Social Stories can be self edited to suit the needs of each individual if needed. The Maritime Discovery Center has a Social Story found here.

Location