WA has a wide array of museums and historical sites, which explore the region's rich history. From the world's oldest culture, to colonisation and convicts, to gold rushes, world wars and more, there are many ways to discover our past.
Fremantle Arts Centre
The evocative Australian Gothic-style building opened its doors in 1864 as a lunatic asylum and "invalid depot". It later housed poor and elderly women, became a WWII US Navy submarine depot and then a technical school. The refurbished limestone venue now has gallery spaces and hosts art courses, while live concerts and other events regularly take place in its leafy courtyard.
WA Museum
Newly renovated in 2020, the WA Museum Boola Bardip (Noongar for 'many stories' now houses exhibits ranging from dinosaur skeletons to Otto, the famous blue whale.
WA Maritime Museum
WA’s affinity with the ocean is celebrated in this state-of-the-art seaside museum in Fremantle. It is home to vessels such as the winning 1983 America's Cup yacht Australia II, as well as handcrafted sailing boats, a submarine, commercial pearl luggers and more.
Fremantle Prison
Built by convicts in the 1850s, the imposing limestone institution remained in use until 1991. Visitors today can explore its spooky confines and get to know shady inhabitants from its convict beginnings to its days as a maximum security prison. You can even explore its labyrinth of tunnels or brave the torchlight tour.
WA Shipwrecks Museum
Recognised as the foremost maritime archaeology museum in the southern hemisphere, the WA Shipwrecks Museum is housed in an 1850s-era building featuring hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along WA's treacherous coastline.
Scitech
The interactive science museum is designed to educate children of all ages about science, technology, engineering and maths. The venue features a 180-degree planetarium dome and also showcases themed exhibitions.
Other museums in the Perth region
- Perth Mint
- Museum of Performing Arts
- Royal Perth Hospital Museum
- WA Aviation Museum
- WA Cricket Association Museum
- WA Medical Museum
- Department of Fire and Emergency Services Education and Heritage Centre
- Gravity Discovery Centre
- Kalamunda History Village
- Motor Museum of WA
- The Nostalgia Box
National ANZAC Centre
Opened in 2014, the award-winning facility in Albany uses multimedia, interactive technology and historical artifacts to tell the personal stories of the WWI ANZAC soldiers. The venue offers sweeping views of King George Sound, where convoys departed a century ago. It runs in conjunction with the adjacent heritage-listed Princess Royal Fortress in Albany Heritage Park.
Museum of the Great Southern
Overlooking Albany's picturesque Princess Royal Harbour on the site of first European settlement in WA, this museum shares stories of the Menang Noongar people, the early settlers and convicts. It also showcases the region's unique natural landscape, flora and fauna, much of which is found nowhere else in the world.
Busselton Jetty Interpretive Centre
The iconic jetty at Busselton's Geographe Bay is 1841m, making it the longest wooden piled jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. The refurbished 152-year-old structure now has a train service, Underwater Observatory and boat-shed style Interpretive Centre housing the Cultural Heritage Museum. The museum brings history to life with interactive technologies.
Museum of the Goldfields
Located in the historical gold rush town of Kalgoorlie, you can step into the shoes of the prospectors of the early 1900s by panning for gold and learning about the city’s mining heritage.
Museum of Geraldton
The Museum explores the heritage of the surrounding Mid-West region, from the ancient Yamaji culture, shipwrecks and the area’s natural landscapes and marine environment.
Other regional museums
- Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre
- Broome Museum
- Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse
- Manjimup Timber Park
- Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre
- Wagin Historical Village
- Albany Convict Gaol Museum
- The Brig Amity, Albany
- Old Farm, Strawberry Hill, Albany
- Discovery Bay (Whale World), Albany
Historical sites
If you're after a bit of history, places such as Fremantle, Albany and Kalgoorlie are dripping in it. Historical sites that give a glimpse into our colourful past can be found throughout the state. Here are just a few highlights:
The Round House and Whalers' Tunnel, Fremantle
Built as a jail to lock up anyone convicted of a crime in the new colony, the small, round stone structure in Fremantle is the oldest surviving public building in WA. It opened in 1831, 18 months after European settlement. Below it is the Whalers' Tunnel, built in 1837 to transport goods between the original port at Bathers Beach the town of Fremantle at Arthur’s Head. Tours are available for both sites.
His Majesty's Theatre, Perth
The stunning Edwardian Baroque theatre with its ornate dome roof was built in 1904 and is one of the city's historical landmarks. The auspicious venue in the heart of Perth continues to host large-scale musicals, ballets and operas. It also houses the Museum of Performing Arts.
Rottnest Island
Now a popular holiday destination, the pristine beaches on the small island 18km off the coast of Fremantle contrasts with its dark past as an Aboriginal prison and Prisoner of War internment camp during WWI and WWII. You can learn more about the history at venues such as Rottnest Island Museum and Lomas Cottage.
Mundaring Weir
Opening in 1903, the weir is the base for the groundbreaking Goldfields Water Supply Scheme, which supplied vital fresh water to the Eastern Goldfields via the world's longest pipeline at 560km, which still operates today. The incredible feat in engineering was designed by Irish engineer CY O'Connor, who also constructed Fremantle Harbour.
Albany Town Hall
Opened in 1888, the grand old stone building dominates the main street of Albany with its four-faced clock tower. The venue now houses a gallery and theatre.
Japanese Cemetery, Broome
Broome's Japanese cemetery gives a glimpse into the pearling town’s fascinating multicultural past. The obelisks with Japanese written characters mark the graves of more than 900 Japanese pearlers. Many of them were divers who died due to decompression sickness or other illnesses related to the dangerous pearl diving industry.