The Journey Down
Location
Perth Cultural Centre
Dates
Dates
Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool arrives at Boola Bardip 18 November 2023
The Journey Down is an animated and vibrant performance of culture, dance, song, projections, and otherworldly sounds coming together to transform an old car wreck into a travelling canvas of story and culture.
Created and performed by Gija (Warmun) and Mirriwoong (Kununurra) performers along with some of Australia’s leading musicians, The Journey Down features Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool (Gija word for ‘old car’), a powerful cultural object shaped by the sound, story and intercultural collaboration.
In 2017 an old car wreck was converted into a sonic sculpture and instrument by composer and sound artist Jon Rose and was subsequently painted by Gija artists depicting stories of Country and cars, to create what is now known as Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool. The work was acquired by the WA Museum in 2020. In 2023, The Journey Down will premiere in the Kimberley, before it heads off on a significant journey to WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, stopping along the way to present community performances that explore the role of vehicles in the Kimberley region and the way they connect us.
The three-week tour from Kununurra to Perth will take place in August–September 2023, with Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool going on display at WA Museum Boola Bardip from 18 November 2023.
The Journey Down is a project initiated and produced by Tura New Music and presented in partnership with the Western Australian Museum.
View the tour dates for The Journey Down here:
Kununurra
Thursday 24 August | 6pm
The Kununurra Picture Gardens
Free event
Warmun
Friday 25 August | 5pm
Joonba Grounds, Warmun Art Centre
Free event
Halls Creek
Monday 28 August | 5.30pm
Shire Park, 2 Hall St, Halls Creek
Free event
Fitzroy Crossing
Wednesday 30 August | 5.30pm
Fitzroy Crossing Oval
Free event
Broome
Saturday 2 September | 6pm
Cable Beach Amphitheatre as part of Shinju Matsuri
Free event
Port Hedland
Tuesday 5 September | 6pm
South Hedland Town Square
Free event
Karratha
Thursday 7 September | 6pm
The Quarter Outdoors
Free event
Roebourne
Friday 8 September | 5.30pm
Ngurin Cultural Centre Amphitheatre
Free event
Carnarvon
Monday 11 September | 6pm
Gwoonwardu Mia Cultural Centre
Free event
Geraldton
Wednesday 13 September | 6pm
Bluff Point Primary School
Free event
Perth
Saturday 16 September | 6.30pm
European Foods Warehouse, Northbridge
Tickets available here
Touring: WA Museum in a Container
Take the journey with WA Museum in a Container! We will be activating four incredible stops along the journey with activities (and our own stories) for the community in our container!
You’ll find us:
- 31 August & 2 September | Broome | Shinju Matsuri Festival, 49 Hamersley St
- 4 September | Port Hedland |South Hedland Town Square, Wise Tce
- 6 & 7 September | Karratha | The Quarter, corner Sharpe Ave and Warambie Rd
- 10 September | Carnarvon | Outside Civic Centre, corner Camel Ln and Robinson St
- 12 September | Geraldton | Foreshore, near Dome
Follow the journey on our social platforms, as we eagerly await the arrival of Warnarral Ngoorrngoorrool to its final home at Boola Bardip.

WA Museum in a Container is proudly supported by the Foundation for the WA Museum and its partners.
Important information

This event is wheelchair accessible.
50% visual content rating – The Journey Down has both sound and visual components.
50% aural content rating – The Journey Down has sound components.
If you have any questions about access, please get in touch with us via reception@museum.wa.gov.au or on (08) 9021 8533.
The Journey Down is made possible through the support of the State Government through The Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries and the Australian Government through The Australia Council.
