Mid West Gallery – Shipwrecks Entrance

Before you step into the Shipwrecks Gallery, pause to explore Geraldton’s deep ties to the sea. This space celebrates both the riches the ocean provides and the stories it hides beneath the waves.

Discover the region’s proud fishing heritage, from the early days of coastal netting to the world-renowned rock lobster industry that has shaped Geraldton’s economy and identity. Meet the hardy fishers who built their livelihoods on these waters, and see the tools and traps of their trade.

Nearby, a display of archaeological finds from islands in the Wallabi Group, Houtman Abrolhos Islands, introduces you to modern-day explorers and archaeologists who continue to uncover the secrets of historic shipwrecks.

Standing as a silent witness, the cannon evokes the age of sail, when ships armed themselves for both defence and deterrence on perilous voyages.

Together, these displays form a bridge between the working life of Geraldton’s coast and the dramatic shipwreck stories that await you inside.