Expanded whale museum to be a killer attraction for Eden

The extended Eden Killer Whale Museum officially opened to the public on Friday 7th October 2022, with new galleries and a mobility-impaired lift making this local attraction bigger, better and more accessible than ever.

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, the Hon. Kristy McBain MP, visited the site Friday, taking in what the museum has on offer, including the new spaces.

The project renewed the existing galleries, installed a lift to service all three levels of the building, and delivered new gallery spaces along with a climate-controlled collection store.

Those with mobility issues can now fully appreciate all the experiences offered by the museum thanks to the new lift, which also provides easier access to the research library and collection storage areas.

Extensions to the Eden Killer Whale Museum and the new galleries strengthen and enhance the visitor experience and will help meet the future needs of the expanding cruise ship market.

Additionally, current conservation concerns have now been eased thanks to the new storage space, which also assists with the continued growth of the collection.

These upgrades mean the facility now offers a better visitor experience, presenting the whaling story in a safer, more comfortable exhibition space – one that is accessible to more people than ever before.

The facility is open 364 days a year and will meet both the current and future needs of locals, tourists, visitors and the expanding cruise ship market. More than 55,000 people are expected to visit the facility every year.

The project also provided a welcome boost to the local economy during construction, which supported 12 jobs.

The Australian Government delivered $640,000 to the $1.286 million project, with the Eden Killer Whale Museum Management Committee Incorporated providing the remaining $646,000.

Federal Regional Development, Local Government and Territories Minister, the Hon. Kristy McBain MP stated, “I am thrilled to be here today to see this fantastic space and what our investment in critical regional tourism infrastructure means to the communities it benefits. The Australian Government is proud to have funded this expansion project, making it a reality for Eden. Now bigger, better and more accessible than ever, the Eden Killer Whale Museum is a real treat to visit and learn about the town’s whaling history. The Museum will also help boost visitor numbers for the Sapphire Coast, providing greater economic benefits to the region’s economy by increasing museum admissions and retail sales within the local Eden community.”

Eden Killer Whale Museum