Long Term Exhibitions
Long Term Exhibitions
Diamonds to Dinosaurs
Take a journey though 12 billion years of history, beginning at the origins of our universe, through to the birth of our solar system before exploring the evolution of life on our planet.
This exhibition features a wealth of significant geological artefacts, including 10 million diamonds that pre-date the solar system, rocks from Mars and the Moon, our world-famous array of meteorites, fluorescent and unusual minerals, and the Argyle Diamond Display.
The exhibition also showcases the evolution of life on Earth, beginning in an inhospitable furnace and resulting in the diversity of life that exists today. The gallery features dinosaur skeleton casts, fossils of extinct life, and displays that show the evolution of humans, mammals, marine life and reptiles.
- Diamonds to Dinosaurs
- Western Australian Museum
Fremantle
The story of Fremantle Harbour is told against the background of the modern ever-changing shipping activity in the port, located just outside the museum.
Explore the gangway that bought thousands of immigrants ashore, learn about the port's history, and the story of CY O’Connor.
- Fremantle Off Gangway
- Photo by Andrew Rowe
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
WA Land and People
This exhibition explores relationships between people, the land and the natural environment. Find out how these interactions have shaped the history of Western Australia.
Stories of Western Australia’s past and recent present are illustrated with fascinating and important historical objects.
The exhibition is set within a magnificent heritage gallery space - the former Public Library building (Hackett Hall) which opened in 1913.
- WA Land and People
- Photo by Trish McDonald
- Image copyright of WA Museum
Mid West Gallery
A winding road of discovery inspired by the Murchison River, this exhibition offers surprises and fascinating artefacts around every bend of the snaking gallery.
The exhibition consists of two major sections: natural history and social history.
In natural history, see fossils that reveal the Mid West’s prehistoric past and discover its unique native flora and fauna.
In social history explore the rich culture of the local Yamaji people, tales of European exploration and settlers of more recent times - all of whom have battled this challenging environment.
- Mid West Gallery
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Bush Tucker, Frog and Lizard Gardens
The Western Australian Museum – Albany also features three gardens built to inspire an appreciation of the local flora and fauna: the Bush Tucker, Frog and Lizard Gardens.
Each garden has a number of related activities and focuses, such as the intergenerational project. Also, the Bush Tucker Garden contains stories of local bush tucker and is built to reflect the six seasons of the Minang (the local Aboriginal nation).
- Bush Tucker Garden
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
De Bernales Building
Claude De Bernales was a successful mining entrepreneur who made his fortunes on the Kalgoorlie-Boulder goldfields. In this display, the opulent Kalgoorlie and Perth office and boardrooms have been recreated in all their grandeur. Note the difference between the typical miner’s cottage – found nearby in the Museum grounds – and these elegant quarters.
- De Bernales Building
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Butterfly Gallery
The BankWest Butterfly Gallery displays an extensive collection of butterfly species from Australia, South East Asia, South America and Africa.
- Butterfly Gallery
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Old One Teacher School Room
The Torbay School building – an old one room, one teacher school – stands as a tribute to Western Australia's pioneer teachers. The building fosters an appreciation and understanding of the history of rural education, and the conditions experienced in early settlement days.
This old school building is also used for school holiday activities, special events and Museum programs. Events are posted in the "what's on" calendar in the website.
- Old One Teacher School Room
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Kalgoorlie-Boulder: Main Exhibitions
The Kalgoorlie-Boulder main gallery building explores the heritage and history of the Eastern Goldfields explaining the influence of the gold rush in transforming the region into an economic powerhouse.
In the mezzanine gallery there are numerous displays featuring artefacts, objects, photos, furniture and memorabilia to tell the stories of the goldfields. Many of the photographs on display are from the studios of pioneer Goldfields' photographers JJ Dwyer and TF Mackay.
The Museum’s underground Gold Vault features a spectacular collection of gold, jewelry and historical items. The Gold Vault also features the unique Geological Survey collection of nuggets, decorative miners’ brooches and the first gold bar refined in Kalgoorlie- Boulder. Half of the State's gold collection is housed in this vault, which is the most secure public access vault in Australia.
- A gold nugget
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Tin Canoe to Australia II
This gallery celebrates Western Australian’s love affair with the water.
The exhibition displays watercraft, old and new, that showcase the adventures of people challenging nature and themselves as they “take on the world” on the water.
The gallery features the Parry Endeavour, the yacht that took solo yachtsman Jon Sanders* three times around the globe and Australia II, the racing yacht with the winged keel that won the America’s Cup from the United States in 1983.
* Further information about John Sanders' journey can be found on the Curtin university library website.
- Tin Canoe to Australia II
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Batavia Gallery
The Batavia Gallery is the centrepiece of the Shipwreck Galleries. The gallery houses the reconstructed remains of the VOC ship Batavia, excavated by archaeologists in the 1970s.
After an extensive treatment and restoration process, the remains of the ship’s stern were rebuilt in this gallery.
The gallery also features a skeleton of one of the people murdered on the Abrolhos Islands, a replica of the impressive portico façade – carried as cargo to be used as a grand entrance to the city of Batavia - a reconstruction of the Captain’s cabin, and numerous other artefacts recovered from the wreck.
There is an elevated viewing deck to look down upon the stern of the Batavia, and appreciate the size and scope of the wreck and gallery.
- Batavia Gallery
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Eclipse building
The Eclipse Building is the main focus of the Western Australian Museum - Albany, where long-term collections, such as the Lighthouse Exhibition, Fishing Collection and the exhibitions about the local area's history are displayed.
The showpiece of the Eclipse Building is the Eclipse Island Optic, consisting of three glass lenses, each three metres high. The optic rotates silently on its bed of mercury and lights up the building.
The marine discovery centre is located at the Eclipse building, which is all about hands-on interactive learning. During school holidays, a variety of activities are conducted in this space for kids to learn about the world of aquatic zoology.
All temporary and traveling exhibitions are also held in this space.
- Eclipse Building
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Cargoes
This gallery tells the stories of the many kinds of cargoes that have passed through the Western Australian ports, and how sea trading has shaped Western Australia.
A wall of cargoes displays the incredible variety of trade goods, from sandalwood to sheep, whale oil to wheat, all celebrating Western Australia’s maritime trade.
- Cargoes
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Naval Defence
Stories of bravery, war, peace, sacrifice, weapons and naval defence are showcased in this gallery. This exhibition explores the role of naval defence in protecting Australia’s interests, the Royal Australian Navy's post war role, and the strategic importance of Fremantle.
The exhibition is bought alive with WW1 Tenix AE2 submarine conning tower and Sleeping Beauty replicas.
- Naval Defence
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Highlights Tour - Geraldton
Would you like to know a little bit more about the history of the Mid West? Our friendly Visitor Services Officers can take you and your family or friends on a 15 - 20 minute highlight tour. These tours focus on one or two of our stories and can be asked for any time throughout the day. They are suitable for all ages and can be given to groups as large as 15 people. For bookings contact the Museum on 08 9921 5080.
- Highlights Tours
- Photo by Graeme Gibbons
- Image copyright of WA Museum
Entrance Gallery
The Entrance Gallery contains artefacts from Australia's first known shipwreck, the Trial, as well as the Rapid, James Matthews and stories from shipwrecks off the Ningaloo Coast.
- Shipwreck Anchor
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
HMAS Ovens
The Oberon class Submarine HMAS Ovens is an authentic Cold War-era vessel situated on Fremantle's historic World War II submarine slipway. This exhibit serves as a living memorial to submariners and those who gave their lives while serving from Fremantle during World War II.
Guided tours of the submarine leave every half hour (10am - 3.30pm) from the Western Australian Museum - Maritime. Bookings are advised. The guided tours take approximately one hour and reveal intimate details about living and serving aboard the 89 meter long vessel. Quite amazingly, 63 people served aboard the vessel living amongst pumps, controls, sensors, tactical equipment and torpedoes in extremely cramped conditions.
Individual tickets to the submarine or joint tickets with the Maritime Museum are available. View admission details on the Western Australian Museum - Maritime page.
Find out what life is like aboard a submarine and immerse yourself in Fremantle's secret wartime history.
Health and Safety information: because the tour includes climbing 9 meter high scaffolding stairs, steeply inclined ladders and bending through narrow hatchways, a reasonable level of fitness, freedom from significant injuries, and the ability to climb independently (without walking aids) is required. Please see the Submarine Access Policy and the Submarine tour FAQs.
Age Restrictions
For safety reasons, children under the age of five are not permitted to participate on the submarine tour.Note: tours can be canceled because of severe weather conditions (eg. high winds, thunderstorms or high temperatures) - tickets will be refunded in such events.
Vounteering: if you are interested in volunteering as a tour guide, find out how on the get involved page of this website.
- HMAS Ovens
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
British Arms Hotel
This gallery resides in a modern building attached to the ‘British Arms’ Hotel, built in 1899. This heritage-listed hotel is said to be the narrowest pub in the Southern Hemisphere. Today it houses Dr Rout's dental surgery, historic union banners and an elegant recreation of the Cucel’s wedding breakfast.
Dr Rout’s dental surgery is a reconstruction of a dental surgery typical from the period.
The Union Banner display showcases a collection of local historic union banners that date back to the initial union actions of this mining town.
The Wedding Room is an elegant recreation of Stella and Jack Cucel’s 1910 wedding breakfast. The room gives visitors a glimpse at how early settlers to the goldfields tried to establish ‘normal’ British patterns of life in a remote and unfamiliar area.
- British Arms Hotel
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Woodblock Gallery
This gallery features artefacts, charts, documents and books from Australia's early Dutch explorers. It explores the journeys of Hartog through to de Vlamingh showcasing 100 years of Dutch explorations of Australia.
The Woodblock Gallery also features the Dirk Hartog Plates, the replica Duyfken, and a replica of the original Pelsaert’s journal – which documented the horror of the Batavia mutiny.
The gallery's floor is built from wooden blocks made of jarrah, a local Western Australian timber crucial to the development of the State. These formed part of the Museum’s original convict-constructed building.
- Replica Duyfken
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Xantho Gallery
See the conservation and restoration of the SS Xantho steam engine after it spent more than a century underwater, and learn about the remarkable story of the Broadhurst family.
- Xantho
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Katta Djinoong
Katta Djinoong: First Peoples of Western Australia depicts the history and culture of the Aboriginal peoples of Western Australia from past to present.
Katta Djinoong is a Noongar term that means “see and understand us”. Many individuals, communities and organisations shared their stories, gave information, lent objects and approved photographs for inclusion in Katta Djinoong. The exhibition focuses on issues identified as important by Aboriginal people - family, land and continuity between traditional and contemporary life.
The exhibition examines traditional Aboriginal hunting and gathering lifestyles in the four major cultural regions of the State – South-West, Desert, North West and Kimberley.
It considers the impact of European settlement on people’s lives and social systems. It tackles contested histories including massacres, the inquiry into Deaths in Custody, the Stolen Generations, and progress towards reconciliation, including the origins of Sorry Day and Kevin Rudd’s historic Sorry speech.
Katta Djinoong also examines contemporary Aboriginal arts and crafts, and issues of ongoing importance from politics to success as sporting heroes.
Katta Djinoong: First Peoples of Western Australia provides an opportunity for the Aboriginal peoples of this state to share their stories and for visitors to gain a greater understanding and appreciation of Western Australia’s Aboriginal’s peoples, their role in modern society, and their heritage and cultural values.
- A student in Katta Djinoong
- Photo by Norm Bailey
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Hooked on fishing
This gallery explores Western Australia’s fishing industry, especially the contributions of our fishing communities. The gallery features stories from the past and the present that have helped shape the industry. See Aboriginal fish traps, stories of Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour, the beautiful Broome pearling luggar Trixen, and learn about the history of Western Australia’s varied fishing industries.
The exhibition brings together a compelling mix of technological innovation, changing experiences and the challenges of managing the ever-increasing pressures on fish stocks.
- Hooked On Fishing
- Photo by Andrew Rowe
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Shipwrecks Gallery
Discover the fascinating maritime history of the State’s midwest, from the famous Batavia mutiny, to lesser known tales such as the inspiring saga of human ingenuity displayed by Zeewijk survivors and the unknown fate of other European shipwreck survivors stranded on Western Australian shores.
The gallery features artefacts from four local shipwrecks including clay pipes, silver coins, cannons, the original Batavia stone portico and numerous other relics.
- Batavia
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Swan River
Changes and the development of the Swan River are traced throughout this gallery, encompassing the natural, social and transformations within the landscape.
Climb aboard the Valdura, an old Swan River ferry, and see Lady Forrest, Fremantle’s first steam pilot boat, both restored to their original condition.
- Valdura Steam Boat
- Photo by Andrew Rowe
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Dampier Marine Gallery
Travel along the shores and beneath the waters of the Dampier Archipelago.
This gallery presents the results of the four-year partnership between the Woodside Energy Ltd. and the Western Australian Museum to explore the region’s marine diversity. This exhibition showcases a selection of organisms recorded by Museum scientists to give visitors a glimpse into the beauty and diversity of the marine habitats of Western Australia’s northern coast.
- Divers of Scott Reef
- Photo by Clay Bryce
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Indian Ocean
The people bordering the Indian Ocean have been linked by trade and the exchange of ideas for thousands of years.
This gallery traces the paths of these maritime travelers, giving visitors a chance to explore the roots of our modern multicultural community. Experience the sights and sounds of a 15th century Middle Eastern marketplace, and see the Sama Biasa (Indonesian Fishing Boat).
- Indian Ocean
- Photo by Andrew Rowe
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Bird Gallery
From the forest dwelling parrots to coastal birds, this gallery explores the amazing variety and diversity of Western Australia’s birds.
The Bird Gallery features in the Jubilee Wing of the Western Australian Museum - Perth, a high-ceilinged Victorian-era room bathed in natural light. The display is glass encased and removed from the wall, to enable viewing from all angles.
- Bird Gallery
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Residency building
Built in 1850 and extended in 1875, the Residency Building served as a store and offices for the nearby convict-hiring depot. When the depot closed, more rooms were added and it became home to the Government Residents and then to the Resident Magistrates.
The Residency contains the newly redeveloped exhibitions telling the stories of the Great Southern’s natural and social history, from its early geological formation, its indigenous history through to early settlement and on to the area’s modern day events such as the introduction of the wind farm, the largest in Australia.
Also, you can view a photo gallery of the residency building's recent refurbishment.
- Residency building
- Photo by Perin Mulcahy
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
HMAS Sydney (II) - Pride of the Fleet
The ship HMAS Sydney (II) was lost after a fierce sea battle with the German raider HSK Kormoran on the 19 November 1941. None of the 645 crew on board the Sydney survived and this loss had a profound effect on wartime Australia, generating enormous grief and a desire to reveal the mystery of what happened on that fateful evening.
Sixty-seven years later, on 16 March 2008, the wreck of HMAS Sydney (II) was found about 112 nautical miles off Steep Point Western Australia in 2,470 metres of water. This momentous find occurred five days after the wreck of the Kormoran was also discovered.
HMAS Sydney (II) - Pride of the Fleet is the first formal exhibition to cover all major aspects of one of Australia’s most enduring maritime mysteries.
Pride of the Fleet gives a comprehensive overview of the story of HMAS Sydney II as well as telling some of the stories of the men who were lost and the families they left behind.
The exhibition gives due recognition to the Finding Sydney Foundation, the HMAS Sydney Search team and their work in discovering the battle site and wreck sites for both ships.
- HMAS Sydney II
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Dutch Wrecks Gallery
Discover the fascinating stories and relics from the Dutch wrecks Zuytdorp, Zeewijk, Vergulde Draeck and Batavia. This gallery includes coins, lace, cannons, maps and pottery recovered from these wrecks.
- Cannon
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Robert Steele Steam Machinery Exhibition
Robert Steele Steam Machinery Exhibition is located in a wharf shed adjacent to the Maritime Museum in Victoria Quay. This exhibition houses many historic engines from WA's maritime past, and also showcases restored engines in action and full movement.
- Compound steam engine in the Robert Steele Marine Machinery exhibition
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of WA Museum
Discovery Centre (Perth)
Do you want to see dinosaur fossils, stone-age tools, meteorites, preserved vertebrates and invertebrates or perhaps some living frogs? The Discovery Centre has interactive displays and activities where young people and adults can get busy with their hands and minds. It is also the place to go to find answers to your scientific questions or to identify a biological specimen. Read more about the Discovery Centre in the explore section of this site.
- Kids with a crocodile in the discovery centre
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Mammal Gallery
A large array of mammals from Australia and the world are on display in this exhibition. Deer, bison, elephants, camels, horses, wallabies, kangaroos, numbats and many more mammals have been preserved and displayed in Victorian-era glassed case displays.
- Mammal Gallery
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum
Miner’s Cottage
The miner’s cottage is a replica building that illustrates the living conditions and social lives of early goldfields settlers.
Visitors are invited to stroll through the scenic courtyard in the Museum grounds, and visit the sandalwood camp, the West Australian Bank, a miner’s cottage, the Woodline office and the Woodline Police Office rail wagon.
- Miner's Cottage
- Photo from WA Museum
- Image copyright of the Western Australian Museum