Just 25 minutes from Sussex Inlet is the The Jervis Bay Maritime Museum (formerly Lady Denman Maritime Museum) features a world renowned collection of maritime artefacts and navigational and surveying instruments. The museum exhibits a range of nautical equipment, models, photographs, paintings, drawings and objects relating to the history and heritage of the Jervis Bay area.
The museum is home to the historic Lady Denman – a wooden Inner Harbour Sydney ferry built in Huskisson in 1911 and retired in 1979. She was returned home in 1980, but remains the only wooden vessel of her kind in NSW.
Built by Joseph Dent in 1911 just a few hundred metres from the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum the Lady Denman carried passengers on Sydney Harbour for 67 years. Upon her retirement in 1979 an intrepid band of volunteers inspired by local identity, Dick Young and local Member of Parliament, John Hatton embarked on the seemingly impossible task of returning the old ferry to her birthplace.
The story of this iconic Walter Reeks-designed vessel, from 1911 to her final installation in the museum in 2000 is told through displays on board the ferry. Restoration to her mid-1960s appearance is an ongoing project.
The Lady Denman is listed on the New South Wales State Heritage Register and the National Register of Heritage Vessels.
Located in Huskisson, Jervis Bay, the Museum enjoys a waterfront location on Currambene Creek. Positioned in a beautiful bush setting in Jervis Bay, the complex includes a large recreation area with native gardens, a mangrove boardwalk, fish feeding pond, boathouse, and historic buildings.
Woollamia Rd, Huskisson NSW 2540
Phone:(02) 4441 5675
For more information visit Jervis Bay Maritime Museum