Polly Woodside

Polly Woodside offers a chance to step aboard a genuine 19th-century sailing ship and explore a significant part of Melbourne’s maritime history. Built in Belfast in 1885, the three-masted iron barque carried coal and nitrate between England and South America, making 16 voyages around Cape Horn. Visitors can join a guided tour or explore at their own pace during the regular monthly Open Day, with tours running for roughly 45 to 60 minutes.

The ship’s story continued well beyond its early cargo voyages. It was named for Marian Woodside, the wife of owner William Woodside, and later renamed Rona after being sold in 1904. As steam-powered shipping changed international trade, the vessel took on different work before becoming a coal hulk used to refuel steamships in Melbourne. In 1968, it was transferred to the National Trust of Australia (Victoria) for one cent, beginning its preservation as a heritage attraction.

Open Day provides access to the ship and museum, while the site’s Pirate Day offers a more activity-led visit for children and families. The programme includes pirate-themed craft and reading activities, a washable tattoo, pirate names, deck-scrubbing, a rope swing, a treasure hunt and ‘Fashions on the Plank’. Children are encouraged to dress up, and families can also take photographs while exploring the vessel. Groups and schools can arrange visits by appointment, making Polly Woodside suitable for an educational outing as well as a casual weekend visit.

The experience is centred on the ship itself: its iron construction, working history and the practical realities of life on a tall ship. Visitors can learn about the sailors who lived and worked aboard while moving through a preserved piece of Melbourne’s port history. The museum and main deck are accessible, although boarding the ship and moving around it requires using a gangway and stairs. With guided tours, volunteer support and themed family days, Polly Woodside suits history-minded visitors, families and groups looking for a hands-on heritage experience in Melbourne.