An adult examines a large historical engine on display in a museum

WA Shipwrecks Museum
Cliff Street, Fremantle / Walyalup
What's on
Exhibitions

Visit us

Cliff Street,
Fremantle / Walyalup, WA, 6160

Get directions on Google Maps >
Plan your journey with Transperth >

Opening hours

Open daily 9.30am – 5pm

Public holiday opening hours
Anzac DAY 1pm – 5pm
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day,
New Year's Day and Good Friday

General Admission

Free General Admission entry
Donations are welcome (suggested donation $5)

Special exhibitions and events may charge a fee

Information for educators >

Contact us

1300 134 081
reception@museum.wa.gov.au

‌‌ ‌‌  ‌‌  @wamuseum

Accessibility

WA Shipwrecks Museum is fully accessible

More about accessibility and amenities >

 

Dive into the fascinating history of Australia’s oldest shipwrecks.

The WA Shipwrecks Museum is internationally recognised for its contributions to maritime archaeology and shipwreck conservation.

Journey through its galleries to learn about Western Australia’s treacherous coast, first European encounters, the riches of maritime trade and one of the deadliest mutinies in known history.

Located on Whadjuk Nyoongar land, the Museum is housed inside Fremantle’s historic Commissariat buildings. Originally built to store the food, clothing and building supplies of the Swan River colony, these buildings are among the first Western Australian sites built using convict labour.

With the creation of the Commonwealth Historic Shipwrecks Act 1976, the Western Australian Museum became the delegated authority for management of Commonwealth historic shipwrecks and relics in Western Australia.

As a result, the State Government funded the conversion of the heritage Commissariat Buildings into what is now known as the WA Shipwrecks Museum. It opened to the public in 1979.

What's on at WA Shipwrecks Museum

An aerial view of a tour group in the WA Shipwrecks Museum Batavia Gallery
Tours

Highlights Tour

Make the most of your visit to the WA Shipwrecks Museum with a free tour of our galleries.

WA Shipwrecks Museum
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Daily | 10.30am & 2.30pm

An underwater image of a seethrough creature and a crustacean on the sea floor
Special exhibitions

Exploring WA’s Deep Sea

Discover the scientific findings of a two year-long project that explores the Deepest Parts of the Australian Marine Parks.

WA Shipwrecks Museum
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Saturday 18 January 2025 – Sunday 23 March 2025

Explore all exhibitions and programs
Two people stand in a Museum gallery and look at the hull of a large wooden shipwreck with interest
Luke Riley

Top 10% of attractions worldwide!

Reviews from millions of Tripadvisor travellers have placed the WA Shipwrecks Museum in the top 10% of attractions worldwide in the 2024 Tripadvisor Travellers' Choice!

Our heartfelt thanks go to our visitor services officers and volunteers who continue to deliver amazing customer service every day and to our wonderful visitors and supporters for helping make this happen.

Check out our reviews on Tripadvisor

More to explore

An aerial view of a tour group in the WA Shipwrecks Museum Batavia Gallery

Exhibitions

Discover our State’s rich cultural and natural heritage through our permanent and special exhibitions.

Two women examining a colourful woven basket containing a plush crab toy in the WA Museum Boola Bardip shop. Most baskets and other books and items are displayed on a clear shelf behind them.

Museum shop

Find the perfect present for a loved one, or yourself, at the Museum’s shop. Located on ground level, in the main entrance.

A small girl wearing blue peers over a black and red cannon.

Education at the Museum

Challenge your students to ask critical questions and consider new perspectives and ideas.

More information to help plan your visit

Accessibility and amenities

Access within Museum
Ramp and lift available both suitable for disabled access. Automatic doors to galleries

ACROD Parking
Wilsons car park $1.80/hr
2 bays in front of museum and 1 bay on Slip Street.
Level and ramp access to the Museum entrance.

Audio Guides
Not available.

Captioning
Most interactives have captions.

Drop Off Area
One bay front of Museum. Ramp to footpath.

Entry to Museum
Approximately 30 metres level path to Museum entrance which has self-opening doors. There is one entry to the Museum.

Equipment Available
One wheelchair available for use.

Hearing Loops
No hearing loops available.

Museum building map
WA Shipwrecks Museum site map in English [PDF 724 KB]
WA Shipwrecks Museum site map in Simplified Chinese [PDF 776 KB]

Reception
Entry foyer immediately inside self-opening entry door.

Storage
Please be aware that the WA Shipwrecks Museum does not have cloaking facilities or bag storage areas.  As a consequence, luggage and bags should not be taken into the Museum.

Toilets
Unisex disability access toilet available on the ground floor.

Touch Trolleys
Tactiles entrance on all stairs.
Touch trolleys available during school holidays and special exhibitions for all Museum visitors.
Specialised tours have been organised for people with a range of disabilities.

Trained Guide or Assistance Dogs
Visitors accompanied by a Trained Guide or Assistance Dog or a dog undergoing such training are welcome in this site.

Getting here, public transport and parking

Address
WA Shipwrecks Museum
Cliff Street,
Fremantle / Walyalup,
Western Australia, 6160,
Australia
Get directions to the Museum on Google Maps >

By Train
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is located within walking distance of Fremantle Station. Visit the Transperth website for timetables >

By Bus
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is serviced by free Fremantle Cat Service, at Blue stop 17. Visit the Transperth website for timetables and details >.

By Car
Paid parking is available in the City of Fremantle car park just outside the WA Shipwrecks Museum. Additional paid parking is available in the Wilsons car park at the WA Maritime Museum, Victoria Quay.

Getting from WA Shipwrecks Museum to WA Maritime Museum
The WA Shipwrecks Museum and WA Maritime Museum are a short walk or drive apart along Cliff Street.