Established in 1965, the Furneaux Museum has been collecting artefacts, photographs, and documents that tell the story of the islands’ cultural and natural history. Today, the collection includes over 8,000 items highlighting life in the Furneaux region.

The islands played a pivotal role in Australia’s early colonial history. In 1797, a shipwreck brought Matthew Flinders to these waters, leading to the discovery of Bass Strait. His reports of abundant seals sparked Australia’s first export industry—seal skins—and influenced the survival of Tasmania’s Indigenous population through the sealers’ Aboriginal families.

Visitors can explore the people, places, and events that shaped the islands: shipping and aviation history, pioneering life, mutton-birding, soldier settlement, and enduring island family traditions.

A visit to the Wybalenna Chapel in Emita offers insight into the 1833–47 Aboriginal settlement established by George Augustus Robinson. The site includes interpretive signage and walking trails, allowing visitors to reflect on this significant chapter in the islands’ history and the experiences of the Aboriginal community.

Be sure to explore the Bowmans History Room, where local artefacts and family histories provide a personal glimpse into the lives of the island’s early settlers.

Discover how isolation fostered resourcefulness and a strong community spirit that continues to thrive today.