Polly Woodside
21 South Wharf Promenade, South Wharf, Melbourne, Victoria, 3006
See what it was like to sail aboard the tall ship, Polly Woodside, whose historical mission was to haul coal and wheat/nitrate from South America to England. This wooden ship made that voyage an impressive 16 times and now rests in Melbourne. Visitors can climb aboard, steer the ship, and pretend to sail the seven seas.
The basics
There are a few ways to tour the Polly Woodside. Some tours include a tour with a Melbourne Docklands sightseeing excursion. Once a month, the ship hosts an open day. Purchase a ticket and explore the ship. You can wander around or join a kid-focused guided tour. You can also visit on once-a-month Pirate Day, geared for kids with rope swinging, crafts, scrubbing the deck, and getting (washable) pirate tattoos.
Things to know before you go
National Trust members are free of charge, so take advantage of this deal.
Children, families, and concessions have special fares, which you can book online beforehand to save time at the door.
If you have spirited children, get them dressed in pirate gear for Fashions on the Plank on Pirate Days, where craft activities, reading corners, and treasure hunts take place for children.
How to get there
Melbourne has a fantastic public transportation system, with buses, trains, and the tram connecting travelers to all parts of the city. Polly Woodside is located in Southbank on the Yarra River, with a tram station just a few minutes walk away. It is also in close walking distance to Melbourne’s city center.
When to get there
Polly Woodside is open all year for two days each month. Open days are held on the first Sunday of the month, with guided tours happening around four times a day, lasting around 45-60 minutes each. Pirate Days are held on the third Sunday of the month, with two different sessions lasting a few hours each; activities such as scrubbing the deck and treasure hunts are organized for young pirates in the making.
Educational opportunities on "Polly Woodside"
School groups can come and learn aboard Polly Woodside with programs linked to Australia’s history, design, and technology curricula. Besides learning all about the ship and her voyages, including nautical terminology and navigation techniques, students can also learn how maritime voyages contributed to industrialization, radically changing the Aboriginal way of life in the area.
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