A small group of people sit at a table with paper and pencils in a colourful purple and blue lit gallery. A volunteer in a grey shirt leans over the table and smiles at the group
WA Museum Boola Bardip

Everyone is included

WA Museum Boola Bardip welcomes visitors of all abilities.    
We aim to provide an inclusive, accessible and enjoyable experience for everyone.

Learn more about the WA Museum’s Disability Access Inclusion Plan (DAIP) here. 

Preparing for your visit 

Avoid queues     
To minimise the time your family spends in a queue, we suggest that you buy tickets for special ticketed exhibitions online before you visit. 

Visual Supports    
Before your visit, print out the visual supports and checklist to help you develop a visual plan of your time at the Museum. This can help to structure a big day out, making it more enjoyable for everyone.

Visit Checklist – PDF [117.54 KB]   
Visual Supports – Galleries – PDF [248.92 KB]   
Visual Supports – Symbols – PDF [571.25 KB]

Visual Stories    
Written in consultation with the Autism Association of Western Australia, these Visual Stories provide a general guide for what to expect and what to do when visiting the WA Museum Boola Bardip. The stories provide key information to help you plan your visit and make the experience more predictable.

There are two options to choose from, each representing different age groups. You can read the story online as a webpage or you can download it as a PDF document to print out.  If you are a parent or teacher, it may help to read the story with your child or student(s) a few times in the lead up to your visit and again just before you come.

Visual Stories – Child – PDF [17.04 MB]   
Visual Stories – Adult – PDF [18.2 MB]

WA Museum Boola Bardip has collaborated with the Autism Association of Western Australia to develop these inclusive supports. If you have any questions about these resources or accessing services for people with Autism, please contact the Autism Association of Western Australia.  

Sensory Maps   
Sensory Maps identify sensory-friendly spaces in the Museum — areas that tend to be quieter and less crowded, have seating and tactile engagement and activities.

Wesfarmers Gallery Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn & Rio Tinto Gallery Innovations [PDF 2.5MB]   
Stan Perron WA Treasures & Reflections [PDF 549KB]   
Changes & Origins [PDF 1.74MB]   
Wild Life & Tianqi Lithium Gallery Connections [PDF 3.14MB]   
3 Journeys [PDF 440KB]   
 

Please note: As the Museum’s building and exhibitions change, parts of these maps may not always be up to date.

Quiet times and quiet spaces    
The Museum tends to be quieter between 3pm and 5pm on weekdays during term time.    
In the main building, on levels 1, 2 and 3 there are lounge seating areas outside the galleries. The Old Gaol in the courtyard also has small rooms with seating that provide a quieter space.   
We host sensory sensitive afternoon sessions throughout the year to support people with Autism to explore and enjoy the Museum. 

Entry to the Museum    
There is ramped access to the main entrance to WA Museum Boola Bardip. This entrance faces the State Library of Western Australia.

An accessible path from parking, drop-off and public transport areas exists via the Perth Cultural Centre.

Information desk    
The information desk is located in the foyer facing the Perth Cultural Centre.

Auslan Interpreter   
Auslan interpretation is available on request for talks delivered at WA Museum Boola Bardip. Please contact reception@museum.wa.gov.au or call 1300 134 081 a minimum of five working days prior to the event if you are attending and would like the organisers to arrange Auslan interpretation.

Sensory Backpacks   
Access one of our sensory backpacks on your visit to the museum for a treasure trove of tools to both calm and stimulate a child's sensory system. Sensory Backpacks | Western Australian Museum

 

Access to and within the Museum 

WA Museum Boola Bardip Site Map – PDF [969.23 KB]

ACROD parking    
Location: Francis Street (on-street parking)   
Size of bay 9m long and 2.3m wide  
Cost of parking: No fee payable, two-hour parking at a time, 8am – 6pm. 
Level/Ramp access to Perth Cultural Centre from Francis Street   
  
Location: CPP State Library (underground parking), 15 Francis Street 
Seven bays available from 6am to midnight. 
Ramp access to Museum main entrance from Perth Cultural Centre closest to Beaufort Street, and lift access from basement level. 
Cost of parking: $4.50 hourly rate (up to $17).

Wheelchair access    
Wheelchairs are available free of charge from the Information desk at the main entrance. We also have walking aids available for use. Call 1300 134 081 to check availability.   
There is wheelchair access to the exhibition galleries, shop, grounds and café internally and externally. Lifts providing access to exhibition galleries are suitable for wheelchair access. 

Guide & assistance dogs   
The Museum welcomes guide and assistance dogs with full access rights.

Information and audio guides

A Communication Board designed specifically for use in the Museum is available from the information desk at the main entrance.

Audio guides may be available depending on the exhibition scheduled in the Special Exhibitions Gallery. 

The Museum also has a Digital Platform available to download for free on visitors' devices or hire from the information desk. This Digital Platform is called Gogo and it provides visitors with additional stories and content about many Museum objects. 

Communication Board – PDF [855.25 KB]

Autism Association of Western Australia

 

Programs and Resources

Two types of sensory bags with toys and colourblind glasses sitting next to it
Public Program

Colour Accessibility Kits

Experience the colours of the Museum collection with free use of colour blind glasses during your visit!

WA Museum Boola Bardip
–

Available for hire | Daily 

A young woman smiling to the camera with her ear on a speaker holding a clipboard
Public Program

Kaya Wandjoo Club

Join our facilitated program aimed at adults living with an intellectual disability. Running bi-monthly throughout the year, this Gallery based, activity led program is open to expressions of interest from NDIS service providers and was to make our Museum more accessible to guests in this demographic.

WA Museum Boola Bardip
–

Expressions of Interest close Saturday, 30th November 2024.

A young man wearing headphones stands in front of a whale skeleton, captivated by the majestic remains.
Public Program

Quiet Mornings

A sensory-reduced, less crowded visit to the Museum.

WA Museum Boola Bardip

Saturday 16 November |  8.30am – 11am  

Aboriginal artist painting on the floor with bright colours
Public Program

Spinifex People: Quiet Mornings

Enjoy the Spinifex People: Art and Stories from Pila Nguru exhibition in a comfortable environment that supports children and adults with sensory needs.

WA Museum Boola Bardip

Wednesday 8 Januaury | 8.30am – 11am 
Saturday 22 March | 8.30am – 11am 

A young man gazes upwards, his attention drawn away from the camera. Above him looms the skeleton of a blue whale, illuminated by purple lights that cast an eerie glow.
Public Program

Quiet Mornings

A sensory-reduced, less crowded visit to the Museum.

WA Museum Boola Bardip

Monthly Morning Sessions | 8.30am - 11am 

First Saturdays in Feb, Apr, Jun, Aug, Oct and Dec 
First Wednesdays in Mar, May, Jul, Sep and Nov 

 

A woman wearing headphones examines a display of artifacts, immersing herself in the rich history they represent.
Public Program

Sensory Backpacks

Access one of our sensory backpacks on your visit to the museum for a treasure trove of tools to both calm and stimulate a child's sensory system.

WA Museum Boola Bardip
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Available for hire | Daily