The Old Post Office Tree
A large Milkwood tree, a national monument, on the grounds of the Museum Complex marks the spot of what is thought to be the first postal activity in South Africa. In 1501 Joao da Nova discovered a letter, in a boot underneath the tree, left there a couple of months earlier by another Portuguese seafarer. The boot and tree kept on doing postal service for a while thereafter.

Today you can post a letter in a boot-shaped post-box beneath the tree. The post office stamp will read "Old Post Office Tree".

Maritime Museum
If you have time to explore only one of the museums in the Complex this should be it. As its main exhibition the Museum houses an exact replica of the Caravel (15th century wooden sailing ship) used by Bartholomeu Dias when he became the first European explorer to round the southern tip of the African Continent. He did this in 1488 after setting off from Portugal in the previous year.

The Museum's small entrance fee gives access to all its exhibitions, however to board the Caravel and explore its interior an additional fee is levied. The Caravel exhibited was built by artisans in Portugal, from where it sailed to Mossel Bay in 1987 to commemorate Dias' historic trip 500 years before. Its sleeping quarters and kitchen was modernised for the commemorative trip. Made from pine and oak, the Caravel measures 23,5 meters long with a beam of 6,6 meters and a displacement of 130 tons. It has two masts and two sails with a surface area of 220 square meters.

Other exhibitions in the Museum include one on Vasco da Gama, instruments and charts used by early navigators and a display of Portuguese Shipwrecks.

Shell Museum
The Shell Museum is located above and behind the Old Post Office Tree. It is not very large but houses an interesting collection of sea shells from across the world. Other exhibits include marine life found in rock pools along the South African coastline, whale & dolphin information and an octopus tank.

Granary
The Granary houses examples of the rich variety of fauna found along the Garden Route. Also on display is an exhibit of old wagon trails and mountain passes. Just outside the Granary you'll find an informative Ethno Botanical Garden and Braille Trail. It contains examples of plants used by African traditional healers for their medicinal qualities.

Culture Museum
The Culture Museum exhibits arts and crafts, as well as older artifacts, of the Xhosa people who live mainly in the Western Cape. It also includes artifacts of the Khoisan who lived in these areas well before the first Europeans or Xhosa's arrived.

Museum Café
The Complex has recently introduced a new coffee shop and adjoining curios shop to its facilities. Both are situated in the foyer of the Maritime Museum.