Western Australian Museum

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 iconic heart of the Perth Cultural Centre. Founded to boost interest in the history of the state, the museum houses more than 4.6 million different items.

The museum is not only dedicated to the heritage of this great state. It also plays host to collections from all around the world, from Native American clay pots and pottery from ancient Europe to African masks and even jewellery from Papua New Guinea. Here you can also see a wide selection of prehistoric stone tools and Aboriginal works of art.

In the social history galleries, marvel at the old dresses, war medals, uniforms and inventions. Or for those exploring beyond our civilization, check out the exhibits in the earth and planetary sciences collection. Head for the collections on zoology to come face to face with the fish, spiders, crabs and many more of the creatures living across the state.

Western Australia is blessed with a long-standing mining heritage, more about which you’ll discover here. On show you’ll find gold nuggets, pink diamonds and precious gems retrieved from the ground, even meteorites that have survived and landed on the earth, not to mention the rocks from outer space that are among the museum’s most remarkable highlights.

The museum plays host to exhibitions throughout the year on every conceivable topic from Antarctica to postcard art and so much more. 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 you can get in for free. 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 you to enter.