List of museums in Western Australia facts for kids
Western Australia is a huge state with lots of cool places to explore, and that includes many interesting museums! These museums are special places where people collect and take care of objects that teach us about history, art, science, and different cultures. They let us see these amazing collections and learn new things.
This article will tell you about some of the awesome museums you can visit in Western Australia. Get ready to discover everything from old ships and planes to ancient fossils and even video games!
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Awesome Museums to Explore
Western Australia has museums for every interest. Whether you love history, science, or art, there's a museum waiting for you.
Step Back in Time: History Museums
Many museums in Western Australia help us understand the past, from early settlers to important events.
Albany Convict Gaol Museum
In Albany, you can visit the Albany Convict Gaol Museum. This museum used to be a real prison! It teaches you about what life was like for convicts and early settlers in the Great Southern region.
Fremantle Prison
Fremantle Prison is a very famous historic site in Fremantle. It was built in the mid-1800s and was a working prison for many years. You can explore the old cells, see the gatehouse, and even discover tunnels beneath the prison. It's a fascinating, and sometimes spooky, look into the past.
Old Mill, Perth
In Perth, the Old Mill is a restored tower windmill. It shows how people used to grind grain a long time ago. It's a great way to see old technology in action.
Historic Homes and Homesteads
Many old houses have been turned into museums, showing us how people lived in different eras.
- Argyle Downs Homestead Museum near Kununurra is an 1880s pioneer home. It tells the story of early farming families.
- Azelia Ley Homestead Museum in Hamilton Hill shares local history from a historic home.
- Bridgedale in Bridgetown is another historic house cared for by the National Trust.
- Mangowine Homestead in Nungarin is a historic house that gives you a peek into life in the Wheatbelt.
- Old Farm, Strawberry Hill in Albany is one of the oldest surviving homes in Western Australia, built in the 1830s.
Machines and Movement: Transport and Technology Museums
If you love cars, planes, trains, or anything that moves, these museums are for you!
Aviation Heritage Museum
The Aviation Heritage Museum in Perth is a must-see for plane enthusiasts. It has military and civilian aircraft, replicas, and engines. It's run by the RAAF Association of Western Australia.
Australian Sailing Museum
In Mandurah, the Australian Sailing Museum celebrates everything about sailing. You can see yacht models, learn about the history of Australian sailing, and discover famous sailors from the 1800s.
Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum
The Carnarvon Space and Technology Museum in Carnarvon is out of this world! It tells the story of the satellite station that helped with communications for NASA's Apollo Moon project.
Motor Museum of Western Australia
Located in Whiteman Park, the Motor Museum of Western Australia displays a fantastic collection of cars, motorcycles, and other cool items related to vehicles.
Revolutions Transport Museum
Also in Whiteman Park, the Revolutions Transport Museum explores all kinds of land transportation. This includes everything from horse-drawn vehicles to modern transport.
South West Rail and Heritage Centre
The South West Rail and Heritage Centre in Boyanup is operated by Rail Heritage WA. It's a great place to learn about the history of trains and railways in the region.
Tractor Museum of Western Australia
If you're interested in farming machines, the Tractor Museum of Western Australia in Whiteman Park has vintage tractors, trucks, and old engines. It even has a replica settler's cottage!
The Nostalgia Box
For gamers, The Nostalgia Box in Perth is a unique museum dedicated to video game consoles. You can see how gaming has changed over the years and even play some classic games!
Wireless Hill Museum
The Wireless Hill Museum in Ardross is located at a historic radio station. It teaches you about the history of telecommunications in Western Australia.
Nature and Science: Discovering Our World
These museums help us understand the natural world, from dinosaurs to outer space.
Dinosaur World
In Denmark, Dinosaur World lets you get up close with dinosaur skeletons. They also have live birds and reptiles, making it a fun and educational experience.
Edward de Courcy Clarke Earth Science Museum
Part of the University of Western Australia in Crawley, this museum has amazing collections of minerals, rocks, fossils, and even meteorites. It's perfect for anyone interested in geology.
Gravity Discovery Centre
The Gravity Discovery Centre in Gingin is a hands-on science education center. It focuses on physics and astronomy, making learning about space and gravity super fun.
Pinnacles Desert Discovery Centre
Located near Cervantes in Nambung National Park, this center teaches you about the unique geology, plants, animals, and cultural history of Pinnacles Desert.
Scitech
Scitech in Perth is an interactive science center. It has many hands-on exhibits that make learning about science, technology, engineering, and math exciting for all ages.
Shark Bay World Heritage Discovery Centre
In Denham, this center explores the natural history, maritime stories, and cultural heritage of Shark Bay, which is a special World Heritage Site.
Whale World
Whale World in Albany is located in a former whaling station. It teaches you about whales and the history of the whaling industry, but also focuses on whale conservation today.
Art and Culture: Creativity and Heritage
Explore the artistic side of Western Australia and learn about different cultures.
Art Gallery of Western Australia
The Art Gallery of Western Australia in Perth is a major art museum. It's part of the Perth Cultural Centre and features a wide range of art.
Berndt Museum of Anthropology
At the University of Western Australia in Crawley, this museum showcases Aboriginal art and culture. It also has artifacts from other parts of the world like Melanesia and Asia.
Gwoonwardu Mia – Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre
In Carnarvon, this center celebrates Aboriginal culture and art from the Gascoyne region. It's a wonderful place to learn about the rich heritage of Indigenous Australians.
Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre
Near Derby, the Mowanjum Art and Culture Centre focuses on the art and culture of the Mowanjum Community.
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts
Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) in Perth is a place to see modern and experimental art. It's always showing new and exciting works.
Warmun Art Centre
The Warmun Art Centre near Kununurra is another important center for Aboriginal art.
Special Interest Museums
Some museums focus on very specific and interesting topics!
Army Museum of Western Australia
The Army Museum of Western Australia in Fremantle has collections about military history. It's housed in historic artillery barracks.
Cola Café and Museum
In Toodyay, the Cola Café and Museum is a fun 1950s-style café with a huge collection of Coca-Cola memorabilia.
Department of Fire and Emergency Services Education and Heritage Centre
Located in Perth, this center tells the story of firefighting services in Western Australia. You can learn about the brave people who fight fires and the equipment they use.
Perth Mint
The Perth Mint in Perth offers tours where you can learn about coins and how they are made. It's a shiny experience!
WACA Museum
The WACA Museum in Perth is all about sports, especially cricket. It's run by the Western Australian Cricket Association and shows the history of sports played at the famous WACA Ground.
Western Australian Museum Network
The Western Australian Museum has several locations across the state, each focusing on different aspects of history and nature.
Museum of the Great Southern
In Albany, the Museum of the Great Southern explores the natural and social history of that region.
Museum of Geraldton
The Museum of Geraldton in Geraldton tells the story of the land, sea, and people of the Mid West region.
Museum of the Goldfields
In Kalgoorlie-Boulder, the Museum of the Goldfields focuses on the history of the Eastern Goldfields and its mining heritage.
WA Shipwrecks Museum
The WA Shipwrecks Museum in Fremantle is dedicated to relics from ships that wrecked along Western Australia's coastline. It's full of amazing discoveries from under the sea.
WA Maritime Museum
Also in Fremantle, the WA Maritime Museum showcases boats, fishing history, naval defense, and even includes the HMAS Ovens submarine, which you can explore!
Defunct museums
- Museum of Western Australia Sports
See also
