OUR HISTORY
The Museum is run by volunteers, all of whom look forward to meeting you!
The Clyde River and Batemans Bay Historical Society is an incorporated volunteer organisation, formed on 25 July 1977.
We are located in the town’s former Courthouse, built 1905 and heritage listed. There are numerous outbuildings housing displays, and a pre-loved bookshop.
The Society is recognised as a key community cultural resource and visitor attraction through development, maintenance and promotion of the Batemans Bay Heritage Museum and its Collections.
REGIONAL HISTORY
Batemans Bay is situated on the shores of an estuary formed where the Clyde River meets the southern Pacific Ocean.
James Cook named our location after a naval colleague,Nathaniel Bateman as he mapped the far south coast of NSW
in1770.
Traditional custodians of the land surrounding Batemans Bay are the Walbunja people of the Yuin nation; their language group is Dhurga.
From the early 20th century we have been a holiday destination for Canberrans, Sydneysiders and travellers up from Victoria. The town’s heritage of timber products has passed, but oyster growing is a 19th century tradition that remains strong (try our Clyde Oysters). Now Eco-tourism valuing our pristine waters and coastline is part of the town’s changing identity.
Acknowledging with thanks our Government Agency & Community Partners
