Franklin Harbour Historical Museum

The old post office

Cowell's history lives in its old post office — a solid stone building on Main Street dating from around 1888, complete with the attached postmaster's residence. Restored by the National Trust and now owned by the local district council, it houses the Franklin Harbour Historical Museum, a lovingly kept volunteer-run collection that tells the story of this quiet gulf town and the farming district behind it.

Inside

Three rooms — kitchen, living room and bedroom — have been arranged as they would have looked in the late nineteenth century, while the remaining spaces hold photographs, documents, household and agricultural artefacts, local shells and Aboriginal artefacts. Look for the geological specimens: the hills behind Cowell hold one of the world's largest known deposits of nephrite jade, and the museum is a good place to get your head around that improbable story before visiting the jade and oyster outlets in town.

Plan your visit

Opening hours depend on volunteer availability (generally daily through the warmer months), and a small entry fee helps keep the doors open. It pairs well with a stroll along the town's historical walk and out onto the Cowell jetty — the whole town centre is walkable in an hour or two.