Tasmania · Attraction
Bass Strait Maritime Centre
Sea stories from the Roaring Forties
schedule 1 min read / Updated Jun 2026
Occupying a prime position on the Devonport foreshore, the Bass Strait Maritime Centre tells the story of the treacherous strait that separates Tasmania from mainland Australia. Exhibits span early European navigation, the perilous Bass Strait crossings of the nineteenth century, lighthouse keeping, commercial fishing, and the evolution of the Spirit of Tasmania ferry service. An included ship simulator lets visitors experience first-hand what it takes to navigate these demanding waters.
The centre's collection includes scale models, navigational instruments, salvaged wreck artefacts, charts, logbooks, and photographic archives that document centuries of maritime activity on Bass Strait. Dedicated galleries explore the lives of lighthouse keepers who tended isolated rock stations across the strait, the commercial fishing fleets that worked these waters, and the communities that grew around Devonport's port. The ship simulator, included in standard admission, is a highlight for children and adults alike, placing visitors at the helm of a vessel navigating the strait in varying sea conditions.
The centre is situated at 6 Gloucester Avenue on the Devonport foreshore, within easy walking distance of the Spirit of Tasmania terminal and the CBD. Opening hours are 10am to 3pm daily. Devonport residents receive free entry on presentation of ID, a policy introduced by Devonport City Council to improve community access. For visitors from outside the city, adult admission is $12, with concession and family rates available. The centre closes on several major public holidays.
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