See historic boats alongside modern ships, delve into Western Australia’s naval history, hear stories about shipwrecks find out what it’s like inside a submarine.
This fascinating museum delves into the rich naval history of Australia, and gives visitors an insight into the state’s busy ports. Experience first-hand stories of the unforgiving mistress that is the ocean, with tales of ocean disasters, shipwrecks and fishing adventures.The Western Australian Maritime Museum is one section of Perth’s Western Australia Museum, but unlike the main museum, this sealife-inspired museum is located in Fremantle, roughly a 30 minute drive to the southwest of Perth.The museum is located on the Indian Ocean’s coastline and celebrates Western Australia’s proud seafaring history. The museum has hundreds of exhibits dedicated to the sea and its craft. The museum has examples of shipwrecks, leisure boats and racing yachts, and has a huge collection of oral history on everything from overseas trade to naval missions.The Fremantle Harbour exhibit is particularly popular with visitors and is all about Western Australia’s vast shipping industry. This exhibit is in an ideal place, as the museum is located on the very spot where thousands of immigrants first set foot in Australia.Another popular section, the Indian Ocean collection’s replica boats and tools give visitors a fascinating insight into the vessels that have sailed the Indian Ocean for thousands of years, not to mention the practices that were involved in ancient seafaring.The Cargoes gallery is dedicated to the vast mineral and agricultural imports that are central to the Australian economy, while also providing a real insight into the fishing methods used by the ancient Aborigines.There are many other intriguing sections within the Australian Maritime Museum. The Hooked on Fishing exhibit delves into Western Australia’s South European fishing heritage. And the Swan River galleries depict some of the oldest seafaring craft.Finally, no trip to this museum would be complete without a tour around HMAS Ovens, an Oberon class submarine which is moored outside the museum.The Maritime Museum has a café and is located at the waterside at Victoria Quay in Fremantle, about 22 kilometres from central Perth. Parking is available, but the museum can also be reached by public transport. The museum is open daily, except for major public holidays.
