Polly Woodside is the unlikely name of an 1885 tall ship which served a pivotal role during the settlement and development of Australia along with many similar vessels. The ship was built in Ireland (the shipbuilder's name was William Woodside and his wife's nickname was Polly). The ship made 17 voyages to various far-flung destinations before being sold to a New Zealand company in 1904. It worked the waters between Australia and New Zealand until becoming redundant when steamships were introduced. It was towed to Melbourne destined to be coal lighter. Poly Woodside (renamed Rona) worked as a refueling ship for about 20 years starting in WWII. Thanks to the interest of a US ship enthusiast the Rona was preserved. By 1968 it was the last square-rigged, deep water, commercial sailing ship in the Australasia when it was sold to the National trust of Australia for one cent and was restored. Today the museum ship is docked at South Wharf on the Yarra River.

Visitors take a guided tour of the whole ship, above and below deck as well as enjoying an interactive gallery and seeing a short film about life onboard. The Polly Woodside's main mast is 10 stories high and the sails are about the size of an Olympic Swimming pool. On the first Sunday of each month you can dress up like a pirate and come enjoy Pirate Sunday! Pirate guides organize tug-o-wars, treasure hunts and games. You can get a combo ticket to the Polly Woodside and the Old Melbourne Gaol for a special price. Then take the free City Circle tram between the two sites.