Whyalla Maritime Museum - Whyalla
Direct Phone Number : (08) 8645 8900
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Whyalla Maritime Museum specialises in naval history, BHP shipbuilding industry, maritime heritage and natural history of the upper Spencer Gulf. It's prime exhibit, HMAS Whyalla, the first modern warship built in South Australia in 1941, stands on dry land, two kilometres from the sea.
Whyalla's BHP shipyards produced 66 ships between 1940 and 1978. The four World War Two corvettes distinguished themselves in the South West Pacific, the Indian Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. One of the largest, ever built cargo ships in the Southern Hemisphere was constructed in Whyalla, the place where the desert meets the sea.
Spencer Gulf is recognised as one of the most diverse marine habitats in Australia. The museum collection documents species of various sharks including the white pointer, stingrays, seahorses, sea dragons, blue ring octopuses and many more.
The museum exhibits the 1814 edition of Matthew Flinders journals and has collection of items recovered from Spencer Gulf shipwrecks. One of the oldest surviving wooden ocean going fishing vessels in South Australia, Valkyrie, is on display in the museum garden along with a shark cage.
Admission includes guided tour of the ship, HMAS Whyalla at 11am, 12pm, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm April to October or 10am, 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 2pm November to March. Entrance is via the Visitor Centre.
Group tours available by prior arrangement.