Maritime Museum Education ProgramsThe Maritime Precinct • Aboriginal traditions in the area • first European contact with local Aborigines |
Shipwreck Galleries Cliff Street Shipwrecks and their stories including the Dutch East Indiaman Batavia wrecked in 1629 Maritime archaeology - finding and recording our maritime heritage Conserving and recording - rescuing and preserving historical artefacts The Cliff St building - a convict built Commissariat |
Maritime Museum |
Submarine * Fremantle Harbour Former Royal Australian Navy Oberon Class Submarine Ovens Operated between 1969 and 1995 Situated on the historic World War II slipway Stories of life in Fremantle during the war Experience a submariner's 'life beneath the waves' |
|
|
![]() |
Attention Early Birds:
School programs are half price if you visit us in the first week of each term! |
| Double click on the icons for more information. |
|
Voyages of Grand Discovery Students become trainee sailors, cartographers, navigators and natural historians as they travel through the Voyages of Grand Discovery Exhibition (20 July to 18 November) and see precious artefacts relating to Dutch, French and English voyages searching for the great Southland between 1616 and 1803. Like the navigators, naturalists and cartographers traveling with Hartog, De Vlamingh, Dampier and Baudin, the young explorers record their experiences and discoveries in a Sea Journal. They find the traces these famous mariners left behind to convey messages and claims to the Southland, to future seafarers, and use their senses to experience the conditions of life aboard sailing ships in the 1600s.
Click on Icon for a full program description. |
Puss in Boats On a voyage of discovery, apprentice sailors will be accompanied by the ship’s cat and use all their senses to experience life aboard a 17th century square rigged sailing ship.They will also help the Captain’s loyal cat hunt out the dastardly rats and learn about piracy, treasure and shipwrecks. (Special Education & K-Year 3) Click on Icon for a full program description. |
Don't Rock the Boat Expanded to include Junior Program
Click on Icon for a full program description. |
The following programs continue to
|
About Boats Boats and ships are used for exploration, carrying cargo, pleasure, defence, law enforcement, ensuring safety and harvesting the sea. Students tour the galleries and view Fremantle Port to see examples of vessels relating to each of these themes. Changes in boat design through time are illustrated and methods of propulsion described. Students also learn how boats float and sail using interactives and then participate in activities. Click on Icon for a full program description. |
Animals Afloat
|
Tin Canoe to Australia II
|
Shipwreck Detectives
Students complete hands on processes that real maritime archaeologists use to unravel the stories told by coins, wreck photography and x-rays of artefacts. They complete a survey of a simulated wreck and identify an unnamed shipwreck by examining multiple sources of evidence. Click on Icon for a full program description.
|
Maritime Transport on the Indian Ocean Highway Click on Icon for a full program description.
|
|
Sustainable Seas Students hear, describe and discuss different viewpoints in relation to issues such as Patagonian Toothfish piracy, sustainable management of the lobster fisher, illegal Indonesian fishing, aquaculture, sustainable Aboriginal fishing practices, impact of advances in fishing technology, ballast water and quarantine issues, whaling and eco-tourism and Swan River ecology. Students then participate in hands-on activities which promote the concept that each individual's behaviour can promote sustainable use of the sea. Click on Icon for a full program description. |
Survival at Sea This program is temporarily unavailable
|
| An Ocean of Stories All ages Visit our spectacular Museum on Victoria Quay in Fremantle Harbour and explore the gallery themes: Indian Ocean, Hooked on Fishing, Fremantle and Swan River, Tin Canoe to Australia II, Defence and Cargoes Many themes are addressed in the new Museum. Call us for details on these. |
Maritime Archaeology Year 7 & up (Shipwreck Galleries) Students handle and examine actual shipwreck artefacts from Dutch and post-colonial shipwrecks Students describe and record features of artefacts 45 minutes + 45 minute General Tour |
|
European Settlement and the Convict Era in Fremantle Year 5 & up (Shipwreck Galleries) The Cliff Street building as a government store A discovery tour of the Maritime Precinct including Bather's Beach, the Long Jetty site and the Round House |
Long Jetty Study-Examining a Heritage Site Year 7 & up (Shipwreck Galleries) Students conduct a sweep of Bathers Beach searching for objects (glass, pottery, coal fragments) washed ashore from the historic Long Jetty site Study the artefacts and piece together a history of Fremantle 120 minutes |
|
| Pirates' Apprentice (click on for program description) Pre-primary to Year 4 (Shipwreck Galleries) Stories of storms, shipwrecks and survivors. Handle real cannon balls and learn how to load and fire a cannon Come dressed up as your favourite pirate (parrot optional!) |
The Batavia Story All ages (Shipwreck Galleries) Stories of the shipwreck & mutiny Recovery, conservation and display of artefacts from the wreck site Life on board a Dutch East Indiaman |
|
| Communities and Change (Walking Tour) Year 5 & up (Shipwreck Galleries) Tour the Cliff Street site, the Round House and Fremantle Harbour and study changes in the natural, built and social environments over time The history of the harbour and the C.Y. O'Connor story Changes in seafaring, transportation and cargo handling Life at sea - how it has changed over time |
The Maritime Precinct (Walking Tour) Year 5 & up (Shipwreck Galleries) Precinct tours look at : Aboriginal traditions in the area First European contact with local Aborigines The history of European settlement from colonial days to the present Fremantle personalities such as Captain Fremantle and C.Y. O'Connor |
|
Exploration and Discovery All ages The Aboriginies and the first European contact with Australia From Duyfken in 1606 to the Swan River colony |
||
The C Y O'Connor Story Year 5 & Up The Story of Engineer-in-Chief C Y O'Connor is told in the Maritime Museum beside the harbour he built and on the beach where he took his life in 1902. This program requires a bus to transport students to the Robb Jetty beach near Coogee. 120 minutes |
||
Life Beneath the Waves Year 5 & up (Victoria Quay) Experience life on board the silent world of submarines by visiting the Oberon Class vessel Ovens Learn about Fremantle as an important secret submarine base in World War II Set the scene by visiting the Defence Gallery in the new Maritime Museum and the original WWII submarine slipway. |
|
Batavia Fiction - Strange Objects Years 10-12 A fiction writer's view of the Batavia story Gary Crew's prize winning novel approaches the Batavia story in a fresh and original way Artefacts and stories that his novel is based on are examined N.B. It is essential that students are reading the book Strange Objects |
Batavia Fiction - The Devil's Own Years 10-12 Deborah Lisson uses the 'time-slip' technique to bring the Batavia story to life The way in which Lisson has used the Batavia misadventure as a framework for her story is examined Artefacts and stories that her novel is based on are examined N.B. It is essential that students are reading the book The Devil's Own |
| Maritime Museum Programs Our programs address the Curriculum Framework and Student Outcome Statements. Contact us to TAILOR MAKE a program to suit your needs, or choose an existing program. There is a charge of $4.00 per student for most programs although some special activities may attract additional charges. All programs run for 90 minutes unless otherwise stated. Your visit can be supported with Teacher's Guides for each venue and information sheets. It is necessary to book for these programs at least two weeks in advance. * Submarine bookings must be made a minimum of two weeks in advance. Contact the Maritime Museum Education section on 9431 8455. |
|
| Elaine Berry (bookings for all venues) |
elaine.berry @museum.wa.gov.au 9431 8455 |
| Mike Lefroy (Head of Education) | mike.lefroy@museum.wa.gov.au 9431 8458 |
| Mike Brevenholt (Education Officer) | mike.brevenholt@museum.wa.gov.au 9431 8471 |
| Penny McGlynn (Education Officer) | penny.mcglynn@museum.wa.gov.au 9431 8479 |
| George Trotter (Technical Officer) | george.trotter @museum.wa.gov.au 9431 8478 |
| Visit our website www.museum.wa.gov.au/Maritime Fax 9431 8490 |
Education email freoedu@museum.wa.gov.au |
Education Resources |
(Book prices include GST) |
Teachers' Guides |
PRICE |
| Shipwreck Galleries (Cliff Street) Years 2-12 | $5.00 |
| Maritime Museum (Victoria Quay) Years 2-12 | $5.00 |
Information kits: |
PRICE |
| Batavia - Shipwreck Murder and Mutiny | $6.50 |
| Dutch Shipwrecks on WA Coast | $6.50 |
Books: |
PRICE |
| The Trees that Went to Sea by Mike Lefroy; Illustrated by Rick Martin | Soft cover $11.00 |
| A colourful picture book about Australia's first ship Duyfken and the building of the replica of this famous ship in Fremantle. | (Suitable for lower primary) |
| Shipwreck at Madman's Corner by Mike Lefroy | $16.95 |
| A full colour book telling the true story of a mystery shipwreck discovered by fishermen at Madman's Corner on the WA coast. There is treasure and the promise of reward. For the archaeologists involved there is much more. Their patient detective work at last reveals the surprising story of the ship and its captain, and a desperate episode in Australia's maritime history. (Suitable for mid primary and above) | Teachers notes available on request. |
| The Catalpa Escape by Joy and Mike Lefroy; Illustrated by Marion Duke | $14.95 |
In Fremantle Prison they are alone, half a world away from home. But their powerful friends in America have not forgotten them. Danger, excitement and daring - this is an extraordinary true story. |
Teachers' notes and Primary and secondary activities available on www.fremantleprison.com.au. |














