Abel Tasman Museum

What does a conch sound like? And how does a fire-hose from the 17th century feel? Why was a peppercorn just as valuable as a grain of gold? Accompanied by seaman Abel Tasman, set out on an exploratory expedition through the village of Lutjegast to find the answers to all of these – and more – questions.

Start your journey at the Abel Tasman Museum where people of all ages learn about the European who discovered the Lands Down Under. Abel was a farmer’s son from Lutjegast who – thanks to his knowledge of maritime areas – became Commodore of the expedition that was ordered to ‘find the large Southland’. In 1642-1643, Tasman put New Zealand and Tasmania on the map, followed by parts of North Australia in 1644. The museum reveals information about the treasures the VOC traded in. The expedition naturally includes the Tasman Sea – the sea that guarantees Tasman’s eternal fame. This is also where children can try various musical instruments, experience what it was like to spend months on a ship or pet a kiwi.

The enthusiastic volunteers of the museum are happy to share Abel Tasman’s special adventures with you. Their stories bring the surrounding paintings and objects to life and provide an idea of what life was like on board the ship. Also take in the scale model of the Heemskerck flagship. An exceptional item from the museum collection – the large stone of green jade that’s only found in New Zealand – is linked to one of its most important stories. In 2017, descendants of the Māori tribe Tasman met in 1642 presented the stone as a reconciliation. At that time, Tasman answered the Māori sounds of their trumpets with friendly sounds from their own trumpet, entirely oblivious to the fact that the signals by the Māori were a warning that they would defend their people and land with might and main. The Dutch cutter with scouts was attacked, resulting in casualties. Today, the bonds of friendship with New Zealand and the Māori are very strong, as is symbolised by this stone. It has great spiritual meaning; just put your hands on it to feel the connection with those you are thinking of.

The museum has lots more to explore, so be sure to stay a while. The outdoor location ‘Lutje Batavia’ features large panels that tell interesting stories about Abel Tasman’s travels and adventures. It’s also where you’ll meet another well-known person from the village of Lutjegast: Bernhard Johan van Prott of the former Rikkerdaborg manor. Together, Van Prott and Tasman share an entire century of special history: in 1603, Tasman was born in Lutjegast, where Van Prott died exactly one century later, in 1703. If you are interested in learning more, you should know that ‘Lutje Batavia’ is also the starting point for short and longer walks through Lutjegast and Grootegast. One example is the adventurous Abel Tasman rubber boot path. Take in the De Baak work of art created using boulders, also referred to as ‘the Lutjegast ligthouse’. Don’t skip the ‘De Groene Dorpsploats’ with a playground, pond and small sandy beach.

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