Ahoy, all WA Maritime Museum enthusiasts—we need your vote again! Nominations are now open for the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce Business Awards, and the only way to be nominated is through public vote.
That’s why we’re asking you to nominate the WA Maritime Museum in the Tourist Attraction category. Nominations are quick and easy, and close at 12 noon on Wednesday 10 September—please vote here
Of course, we believe the WA Maritime Museum in Walyalup / Fremantle is once again worthy of being nominated—and hopefully another win after taking home the award last year—and we’d love your support. If you’re still deciding who to nominate, here’s a reminder of some of our achievements over the last 12 months.
Empress Joséphine’s Garden was a celebrated 360-degree digital exhibition that captivated visitors with Joséphine Bonaparte’s story, highlighting her impact on French Australian botanical ties, and French society and culture. Its success—including the sold-out after-hours event, Le Bar—led to a three-month extension by popular demand.
We had a summer of fun with the ‘Free All Summer’ campaign bringing record-breaking crowds through our doors. By offering free general entry, we welcomed thousands of new and returning visitors, making WA’s maritime heritage more accessible to all.
We also unveiled a major redevelopment of the WA Down Under Gallery, showcasing Western Australia’s coastal marine life and estuaries—featuring captivating living aquariums—and highlighting their importance to ecosystems and human activity.
Alongside this, we presented compelling photographic exhibitions such as Remembering the Men of HMAS Perth (I), paying tribute to the tragic loss of crew members, and Pilot on Board, highlighting Fremantle’s marine pilots since 1829.
If these highlights aren’t enough, the WA Maritime Museum was once again named in TripAdvisor’s Top 10% of Attractions Worldwide—our third consecutive year receiving this global endorsement, in recognition of the quality of our visitor experience.
In May we launched The Great Kimberley Wilderness, a groundbreaking 35-minute virtual reality experience narrated by Luke Hemsworth and produced by White Spark Pictures. This immersive journey through one of Australia’s most iconic and remote landscapes was met with critical acclaim and a sold-out season.
Beyond exhibitions and visitor numbers, we’re proud to be an active, inclusive part of the Fremantle community. Through partnerships with local organisations, we’ve delivered sensory-friendly sessions with Kiind and Auslan interpretation, developed multicultural programs, and supported local artists—ensuring the Museum welcomes people of all backgrounds and abilities.
The WA Maritime Museum is more than just a place to visit. It’s a cultural hub and an integral part of Fremantle and Western Australia’s tourism economy. With your support, we hope to celebrate another exceptional year with a nomination—and potentially, another win.
