Exhibits

There are eight sections of the museum, each highlighting a different part of life in the Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale region plus a viewing area for films. Items from the collection are showcased for you to discover the history of The Borough and temporary exhibits are on display that highlight a theme or coincide with an event occurring within the region. 

A selection of publications can be purchased if you wish to learn more about a particular topic or as a souvenir of your visit.

Films

Enjoy the collection of audio visual material, old newsreels, films, documentaries, photos and oral history tapes. Share the lives of our fisherman, the pilot service, holidaymakers and the residents of Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale.

Buildings

There are thirty two sites listed by the National Trust in The Borough, from stately Victorian homes, majestic hotels, and beautiful churches. See photographs of how these amazing buildings were when they were first built and compare to how they are today.


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Holidays

Governor Charles Joseph La Trobe was one of the first to build a holiday house for his family in 1848. Since then The Borough of Queenscliffe has grown in popularity as a holiday destination with paddle steamers previously operating from Melbourne to Queenscliff bringing day-trippers and holiday-makers. Many guesthouses were built and beautiful crockery and silverware are on display at the museum.

Personal Items

The museum holds items relating to the personal items of men, women, and children. See the collection of spectacles, inkwells and pens, sewing kits, perfume bottles, smoking paraphernalia, and children's games and toys.

People & Place

The Borough of Queenscliffe has always been a place of change. In earlier times the Wathaurung tribe visited the area seasonally for fishing and in 1853 Governor La Trobe decided Queenscliff would be the base for sea-pilots, customs, the post office, the police and Health Officer. The bust of Governor La Trobe sits by the entrance of the museum and inside you can find out more about him, and the people who have made The Borough what it is today.

Shipwrecks

The stretch of water connecting Port Phillip and Bass Strait is known as 'The Rip' and Point Lonsdale and Point Nepean are 'The Heads'. The large tidal flows through the narrow passage and rocky seabed has claimed many ships and lives. You can see some treasures from the ocean's floor and the museum has researched the history of the three lighthouses within the Borough as well as their keepers.

Borough of Queenscliffe

In 1863 the town of Queenscliff and the village of Point Lonsdale were proclaimed a Borough with Dr. David John Williams as the first mayor. The museum holds early records of The Borough and you can browse through the illuminated documents and images of the early members of the council.

Pioneers

The museum celebrates its early pioneers. We acknowledge the importance of our early residents, tradesmen, fishermen, railwaymen, shopkeepers, hoteliers and soldiers.
​Come and see the portraits of our early citizens.

Coastal Life

Queenscliff and Point Lonsdale were recognised as towns with a healthy climate and people have always flocked to their beaches. ​The Point Lonsdale Surf Life Saving Club has operated since 1947 rescuing swimmers and training life-savers. The museum showcases their success in surf life saving competition and a woollen bathing costume of the Queenscliff Swimming Club is on display.
From early days people have fished and gone boating on Swan Bay and Port Phillip. A lifeboat service has operated from Queenscliff since 1853 and the Port Phillip Pilot Service has operated since the 1850s.