The HMS Buffalo is an exact replica of the original ship that sailed to South Australia in 1836. After lunch or dinner why not explore the ship and pay a visit to the museum located on the upper deck.

The Buffalo Story:

This vice regal ship brought Free Settlers to the new colony of South Australia in 1836. 176 passengers were on board and the voyage lasted for 158 days. During this time the ship encountered many different weather conditions from dead calm to severe storms and hurricanes.

Captain Hindmarsh, who on arrival became the first Governer of South Australia, was in charge of the Buffalo . George Stevenson, his secretary, kept the ship's daily log. In our ships museum you will be able to read extracts from the official log and excerpts from Stevenson's personal diary. You will be able to spot the contradictions between the log, which illustrates Hindmarsh as a caring, considerate Captain and the diary, which describes him as a foul-mouthed tyrant. Stevenson's diary is substantiated by diaries kept byother  passengers and crew members.

During the voyage there were several marriages conducted by the Captain, and a few burial-at-sea services. There were several births during the voyage. There were nineteen Marines on board to keep order and they remained with Hindmarsh and Stevenson in the new colony.

You are on board an exact replica of the HMS BUFFALO, which finally sank on rocks off New Zealand on a later voyage. The only deviation from the original ship is the ceiling height, which has been raised two feet, for your comfort.

These first settlers were British  men, women and children, many of whom had paid for their passage.It is said that they and their crew were often entertained by BUZBY, the ship's tame parrot. Buzby had made the ship his home after joining it in the tropics.

In our ship's museum you will also find a list of names of the original passengers and crew. See if your ancestors were on that first voyage!