STREAKY BAY NATIONAL TRUST MUSEUM

42 Montgomerie Terrace

Items of interest are the church altar from St. Canute’s Catholic Church; an assorted collection of birds’ eggs, shells, flora and vertebras; and items and Aboriginal artefacts.

The sheds and outer buildings have collections of early agricultural machinery including the renowned Sylvia Birdseye’s Strait 8 Nash car. Sylvia conducted the first passenger ‘carrying’ buses to and from Adelaide in 1938.

Of interest are blacksmith tools and printing equipment dating from 1912, used at the local newspaper office, the Sentinel, before the office was relocated in 1974 to Ceduna.

A doctor’s surgery with dental and surgical instruments used from 1920 to 1983, including an iron lung, will fascinate you.  The Pug ’n’ Pine cottage showcases many items such as furniture and clothing used by early settlers dating from 1886.

Open

Tues and Fri 9am–4pm
Sat mornings 9am–12pm (during daylight savings)
Or by appointment

POWERHOUSE MUSEUM

20-22 Alfred Terrace

The renowned Powerhouse Museum is a treasure trove of over 400 engines, all restored and in working condition.  See the collection of locally produced miniature engines, all in working order.

The Powerhouse members work to restore and display engines that have been working in varied ‘occupations’ over the last 100 years.  They love seeing the look of sheer delight and wonderment on visitors’ faces as the old engines sputter into life, each one with its own unique story.  The museum also has a collection of locally produced miniature engines in working order.

Superbly presented, this display is rated as one of the best in Australia. Entry is by donation.

Open

Tues and Fri 2–5pm
Or by appointment

POOCHERA MUSEUM

Penna Street, Poochera

Can you pronounce Nothornyrmecia macrops?

The Poochera Museum has some very interesting displays and facts about the rare dinosaur ants.  The ants, previously thought extinct, were discovered at Poochera in 1977. In 1931 two dinosaur ants were found near Esperance, but despite searches no more were found until 1995.  Seventy-four Eyre Peninsula locations were surveyed, and the ant was found at 17 of these.

They frequent ‘old growth’ mallee woodland. Worker dinosaur ants are distinctive, with pale yellow colour, large eyes, elongated mandibles and a sting – not likely to be confused with other Australian ants.  Workers are predatory, taking live prey. Unlike other ants, they tolerate low temperatures and forage alone after dusk, navigating between ant nests and trees using the tree canopy like a map.

The Poochera Museum houses an interesting display of relics from the pioneering days. Of particular interest is Pete’s Shack, built from flattened kerosene tins.  It was relocated from the western end of town and restored by the museum.

Open

Wed 9.30am–3pm
Or by appointment.

Enquire

At the Poochera Art Gallery