Edwin Fox Maritime Museum

02/08/2026

NAUTICAL SAYINGS

Many of the expressions we use in everyday language have their origins at sea, shaped by the realities of life on board sailing ships.

⚓Loose cannon⚓
On a rolling ship, a cannon that broke free from its ropes posed a serious danger to crew and vessel alike. Today, a “loose cannon” describes someone unpredictable or potentially disruptive.

31/07/2026

VOYAGE 🧭 🗺️

31st July 1882 The Edwin Fox departed Oslo for Sydney, and arrived 30th November. After off- loading she sailed for Newcastle, Australia on the 12th February to collect a load of coal consigned to Dunedin, New Zealand. She left Newcastle on the 23rd February 1883, arriving on the 12th March, she then sailed on to Bluff!

31/07/2026

Yesterday we hosted the launch of a new Edwin Fox book, ‘Heroes and Monsters’ by Heather Fryer.
This book explores in greater depth the lives of some of the people that sailed on her from convicts to passengers.

The book is on sale at The Edwin Fox Museum.

$45

Postage available for an extra charge, please contact us on 03 5736868 or [email protected]

30/07/2026

Our new series of interesting facts starts from 1st August, be sure to keep checking our page.

28/07/2026

At least 3 of our passengers signed this document.
Margaret Hocking from Blacks Point, near Reefton.
Mrs Bates and her daughter from Dunedin.

📅 On this day in 1893, a massive women’s suffrage petition was presented to Parliament, carrying the signatures of more than 25,000 women.

Together with other petitions submitted that year, it represented nearly 32,000 signatures – almost a quarter of New Zealand’s adult European female population.

The petition’s message was simple and powerful: “That Electoral Rights be extended to the Women of New Zealand.”

Just weeks later, New Zealand became the first self-governing country in the world where women could vote in parliamentary elections.

Explore the story behind the petition and the people who made history: https://nzhistory.govt.nz/womens-suffrage-petition-presented-to-parliament

Manatū Wāhine, Ministry for Women, New Zealand

27/07/2026

Just a message to let everyone know....

The ferry terminal project is underway around us, but we will remain OPEN every day as usual 9am to 3pm (last entry 2pm).

There will be a pedestrian diversion in place if you are coming/walking from the Foreshore side and occasionally from mid August for a short time this may involve stop and go.

If you are driving, best to park in front of our museum building in the ferry terminal car park, which is free of charge, not the foreshore parking area.

Work is due to finished, before the first cruise ship of the season on the 24th October.

Thank you for your patience and please don't hesitate to call us for further information.

21/07/2026

Where has Picton gone?

21/07/2026

Thanks Marlborough App.

Moored in Picton and weathered by time, the Edwin Fox has spent more than a century watching the world evolve around her. She has carried immigrants, convicts, soldiers and cargo across oceans, survived the rise and fall of global trade routes, and outlived almost every wooden sailing ship of her er...

08/07/2026

Have you spotted us in the Marlborough Mag? Here is a link to the online story.

06/07/2026

Had a little visitor today having a break from the weather… I believe it’s a Sacred Kingfisher