The Bligh Museum of Pacific Exploration
We believe that no one knows everything but everybody knows something and is willing to share that knowledge - so we can all learn together!
We believe that no one knows everything but everybody knows something and is willing to share that knowledge - so we can all learn together!
876 Adventure Bay Road, Adventure Bay, Bruny Island, 7150, Tasmania, Australia
OPENING HOURS: daily 10 am to 4 pm except Christmas day and Good Friday or by arrangement. Small admission charge applies
CONTACTS: phone: 61 03 62931117, mobile 0407689877 email: blighmuseum@gmail.com
Vice Admiral William Bligh
Capt. William Bligh was Adventure Bay's most frequent visitor in the early years:
His first contact with Tasmania during his Bounty voyage was on August 19, 1788, when he sighted the high bold outline of Mewstone Rock, off the south-west coast. Yachts use it as a turning point in ocean races today.
All next day he tried to enter Adventure Bay but it was not until August 21 that he managed to anchor under Penguin Island. He chose as a wood and watering place the spot favoured by Cook in 1777.
The stumps of trees cut by Cook's men had grown shoots 20ft. (6m) to 30ft.(9m) high, and 14 inches (0.3m) in circumference. Bligh's botanists were impressed by the mighty trees they saw.
Botanist Nelson saw one in a very healthy state which he found to be 33ft. 6in.(10.2m) in girth and of a height proportionate to its bulk.
Each day the crew had bream, rock cod, some very fine perch, in addition they caught flounders, soles and small fry some not unlike a herring and called "warriors"
- He was sailing master of Capt. Cook's Resolution when it visited Adventure Bay in 1777.
- On August 19, 1788, he anchored the immortal Bounty in the bay. A model and plan of the garden of this ship is on display
- He spent more than a fortnight there in 1792, during his second breadfruit voyage with the Providence and Assistant.
- As the deposed Governor of New South Wales, he was in Tasmanian waters from March 17, 1810 and spent much of his time at Adventure Bay in the Porpoise.
His first contact with Tasmania during his Bounty voyage was on August 19, 1788, when he sighted the high bold outline of Mewstone Rock, off the south-west coast. Yachts use it as a turning point in ocean races today.
All next day he tried to enter Adventure Bay but it was not until August 21 that he managed to anchor under Penguin Island. He chose as a wood and watering place the spot favoured by Cook in 1777.
The stumps of trees cut by Cook's men had grown shoots 20ft. (6m) to 30ft.(9m) high, and 14 inches (0.3m) in circumference. Bligh's botanists were impressed by the mighty trees they saw.
Botanist Nelson saw one in a very healthy state which he found to be 33ft. 6in.(10.2m) in girth and of a height proportionate to its bulk.
Each day the crew had bream, rock cod, some very fine perch, in addition they caught flounders, soles and small fry some not unlike a herring and called "warriors"
Model of H. M. S. "Bounty"