Galleries, Museums and Collections

The Furneaux Museum is located at Emita on Tasmania’s Flinders Island and is devoted exclusively to the cultural and natural history of the Furneaux Islands in eastern Bass Strait, where some of Australia’s earliest European history took place.

Shipwreck artefacts are a highlight, including an anchor from the 1797 wreck of the vessel ‘Sydney Cove’ – an event that led to the arrival of sealers and, through them, the survival of Tasmania’s indigenous population. There are many relics from other shipwrecks that occurred around the islands. The history of the fateful 1840s Wybalenna settlement is recorded in the Aboriginal Room, which also displays a rare collection of 100-year-old traditional Aboriginal shell necklaces.

The Mutton Bird Processing Hut gives an authentic glimpse into the island tradition of ‘birding’. Other exhibits demonstrate the geology, fauna, shells, and early pioneering life of the islands. Over 160 albums of photographs and documents cover almost all aspects of life in the Furneaux Islands from the past up to the present day.

The museum is operated entirely by volunteers. It is open six afternoons a week in summer/autumn (closed Mondays), and Saturday and Sunday afternoons in winter/spring. Opening and closing times can be found on the website or by phoning the museum at any time.