From fossils and diamonds to Aboriginal artefacts and domestic items used by the first European settlers on the continent, the Western Australian Museum is the shining star of the Perth Cultural Centre. Established to encourage an interest in the state’s history, today, the museum houses in excess of a staggering 4.6 million different objects.
The museum also regularly hosts collections from all around the world, from Native American clay pots and pottery from ancient Europe to African masks and jewellery from Papua New Guinea. There’s also a huge and fascinating collection of prehistoric stone tools and recent Aboriginal works of art.
The Land and People exhibition explores relationships between people, the land and the natural environment. Discover how these relationships have helped to shape the history of Western Australia.
In the social history galleries, marvel at the old dresses, war medals, uniforms and inventions on display.
Western Australia is renowned for its long-standing mining heritage. On display, you’ll find gold nuggets, pink diamonds and precious gems extruded from the ground by prospectors. Among the museum’s most remarkable exhibits though are meteorites that have survived their fall to earth as well as other rocks from outer space.
In the aquatic and terrestrial zoology collections look out for some unusual fish, hairy spiders, crabs and starfish as well as other fascinating sea creatures found across the state.
The museum hosts special exhibitions throughout the year on every conceivable topic from Antarctica and Ancient Egypt to postcard art and fashion. Check online before visiting to see what’s on.
Located in the Perth Cultural Centre, the Western Australian Museum is open every day except for major public holidays and it’s free to enter. Among the museum’s other branches are the Maritime Museum and the Shipwrecks gallery in Fremantle, as well as others further afield – some of these will charge an entry fee.
