ABOUT

AUSTRALIA'S  UNIQUE MARITIME 

MUSEUM

OUR HISTORY

The Maritime Model Museum was originally founded in 1991 by David McFall and occupied the forecastle of the “James Craig”, at that time on the floating dock that had brought her up from Recherche Bay, Tasmania.

David came to Australia in 1989 and was curator of ship models at the Sydney Maritime Museum. It soon became clear to him that ship models deserved a museum of their own and the Maritime Model Museum was founded.

The large collection of models and artifacts that he had brought out from England were soon added to by generous donations and with the help of Gowings collections were put in place in the City on George Street and later at Hornsby. At the same time a small display and workshop was opened in Mona Vale near the yachting centre of Pittwater.

With Gowings gone, the Mona Vale branch expanded rapidly and the original collection was added to and now forms the famous, unique museum display that you can visit in Bungan Street, Mona Vale.

In addition to the museum display, there are numerous museum quality models for sale as well quality gifts for the yachtsman.

The Museum prides itself in the quality of its replica model making to order. We will build anything from commercial ship models to yachts and cruisers. A specialty of David McFall is the re-rigging and restoration of period ships.

Come and brouse and enjoy a cup of fresh coffee at the same time!

Museum models on display include HMS Victory, Soleil 

Royale, HMB Endeavor, HMS Bounty, Swedish warship

Wasa......The mayflower built from 12,000 matchsticks.   

Our historic yachts include, Australia 2, New Zealand yacht 

'Akarana', Joshua Slocum's  'Spray',  'Cambria', Ian Murray

designed 16ft. skiff, Tornado catamaran, famous Sydney

yacht 'Boomerang' and 'Gretel'.

Museum quality warship models, dioramas and working scale

models are displayed.


We have more than 20 working steam engine models and 

steam boats, some of which dating back a hundred years.

We build an exact scale model for you of your yacht or any

ship where information and lines are available. What a great

gift for a loved one or friends.

We have a good selection of artifacts and gifts for sale

including compasses, bells, bell ropes, navigation lamps, 

telescopes, books, DVD's , paintings and prints and lots 

more.......

Our 'little'gifts include embroidered sailor's caps, beanies, tea 

towels, post cards, Naval souvenirs etc.

Captain David McFall is the Director of the Museum. A deck

officer, navigator in the Royal Navy Reserve between 1963

and 1988. David also served as Master Mariner aboard

merchant ships and luxury yachts around the World. He is 

also a keen and knowledgeable sailor with a 38ft. timber ketch built in 1920.  

on link to PITTWATER ONLINE NEWS for full article. 

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