The Channel Museum, Margate
If regional history interests you, then the award-winning Channel Museum is for you.
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The Museum, located at 1755 Channel Highway, Margate, houses an excellent collection depicting the bygone days of life in the Channel region.
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As you walk around the museum, the displays bring to life the early days of the Channel. Each display holds exceptional exhibits that accurately illustrates the lifestyle and technology of the day. The visitor can learn about the indigenous people of the Channel area, the Nuenonne people, the early explorers, and the early industries in the region, including timber, fishing, fruit and boat building industries. The displays also feature examples of everyday life through the recreation of a schoolroom, a store, rooms from a typical home, farming implements (an external exhibit), a sporting expose and religious and social life of the day.
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Significant events in the region are also represented with displays covering the 1967 bushfires and the region’s involvement in the Australian military.
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Two other notable exhibits are the Electrona Carbide Works and the Don Norton Camera Collection. The camera collection is one of the finest examples of early photographic equipment.
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The Channel Musem is a top stop to visit.
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Opening Hours
Sunday to Friday 10:00 – 15:00. Closed Saturday.
Except for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day, ANZAC Day (closed am) and Easter Friday.
The Emporium Store
The early stores were very modest facilities when compared to modern supermarkets.
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The service provided was more personalised and the technology is very different to today.
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Check out the great display of the early store.
The Don Norton Camera Collection
The Don Norton Camera Collection is a fine collection of early photographic equipment.
Yesteryear Tools
Go into a modern workshop and you will hear the whirl of a saw or the buzz of a planer.
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In the "good old days", no such sounds were heard because all the tools were operated by hand power.
The Channel's Sporting Legacy
The Channel has had a long sporting history, and the Channel Sports Club display features many of these sports.
Research Centre
The Museum has a research facility, which is available to the public.
In addition, the Museum has qualified researchers who can undertake research for members of the public. A fee applies for this service.
The Channel's Industry Heritage
The timber, fishing and fruit industries have been important to the prosperity of the region.
The Channel Cafe
On completion of your tour, take time to enjoy a coffee, snack or light meal at the Channel Cafe.
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The cafe is open seven days a week from 8.30 am to 3.30 pm.
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Cafe enquiries: Phone Joe and Rose on 0468 832 020
