Two children intently examine a model ship in a showcase
WA Maritime Museum

Exhibitions

The Museum houses several unique galleries that explore WA's maritime relationship. From leisure boats and handcrafted sailing boats to commercial pearl luggers, the Museum inspires visitors to discover WA’s affinity with the ocean.

The Museum is home to the winning America's Cup yacht, Australia II, an Oberon class submarine — HMAS Ovens — Jon Sanders’ Parry Endeavour and many other iconic vessels from WA's maritime history.

A tour group stand inside the HMAS Ovens, listening to their tour guide
Permanent exhibitions

HMAS Ovens

The Oberon class Submarine HMAS Ovens is an authentic Cold War-era vessel situated on Fremantle's historic World War Two submarine slipway. Explore the incredible submarine through tours, and more.

WA Maritime Museum
A child and older person examine an exhibit together in a museum gallery
Permanent exhibitions

Indian Ocean Gallery
On the edge of the ocean inside the WA Maritime Museum, trace the paths of the Indian Ocean’s early maritime travellers and explore the roots of Western Australia’s multicultural community.
WA Maritime Museum
A family look at a multimedia screen in a museum gallery
Permanent exhibitions

Swan River Gallery
From the humble sailing and rowing boats that ferried passengers and cargo between Fremantle, Perth, Guildford, and Mandurah, to the introduction of steamboats in the 1850s, the Swan River has undergone many changes over the years, adapting to the needs of a growing Western Australia.
WA Maritime Museum
Two young people examine a huge tabletop map in a museum
Permanent exhibitions

Fremantle Gallery
Delve into Fremantle’s maritime history upstairs in the WA Maritime Museum’s Fremantle Gallery, where the city’s identity is shaped by its bustling port and seafaring traditions.
WA Maritime Museum
A family pause to examine a large model of a whale's tail in a museum
Permanent exhibitions

Cargoes Gallery
Step into the Cargoes Gallery on the second level of the WA Maritime Museum and discover a fascinating array of goods that have passed through Western Australia’s ports over centuries.
WA Maritime Museum
Two young people examine a showcase of model ships
Permanent exhibitions

Naval Defence
See how naval warfare evolved in the 20th century at the WA Maritime Museum’s Naval Defence gallery, where tales of courage, resilience, and sacrifice unfold above and below the waves.
WA Maritime Museum
A man and child look at model fish
Permanent exhibitions

Hooked on Fishing
Delve into Western Australia’s vibrant fishing history, spanning ancient Nyoongar techniques like Mungahs (fish traps) and spearing, to the development of modern lobster, prawn, and crab industries.
WA Maritime Museum
Two people examine the Welcome Walls in front of the WA Maritime Museum
Permanent exhibitions

Welcome Walls

The Welcome Walls projects pay tribute to those migrants who arrived by sea, landing at Fremantle or Albany, and to the many benefits they gave to their new home.

WA Maritime Museum

Special Exhibitions

group of men in navy uniform on HMAS Perth smiling for a photo sitting under the ships guns
Man of the HMAS Perth
Australian War Memorial

Remembering the Men of HMAS Perth

Discover some of the ways HMAS Perth (I) has been memorialised over time and how the vessel and its crew continue to have a presence in various aspects of WA life.

Details