Two young people examine a huge tabletop map in a museum
WA Maritime Museum

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.

Learn about C Y O'Connor’s design for a harbor inside the river mouth. Hear tales of the city’s first shipwreck and the harbour’s early reputation as a challenging anchorage.

See the operational history of the port through the objects on display, from the essential contributions of designers and engineers to the daily workings of shipping companies, tugboats, and the pivotal role of the Harbour Master.

Explore the stories that define Fremantle through the unique collection of artefacts on display, including C Y O’Connor’s office furniture and drafting instruments, early diving equipment, historical photographs, illustrations and everyday objects.

Reflect on what Fremantle means to the fabric of maritime heritage and evolution in Western Australia.

DON’T MISS: The black and white panoramic photographs of Victoria Quay from the 1920s, offering a glimpse into the remarkable development of Fremantle’s busy port over the decades.