<h2>About</h2>Discover the vast riches of Western Australia’s maritime history.&nbsp;Perched on the edge of the Indian Ocean, the WA Maritime Museum is symbolic of Fremantle’s past, present and future as a coastal city and port.See the significant historic objects and vessels that highlight WA’s sporting, sailing and adventure heritage, including the America’s Cup winning yacht, Australia II and Jon Sanders’ Parry Endeavour.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Open daily</h2>9.30am – 5pmANZAC Day 1pm –&nbsp;5pmClosed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day and Good Friday

Swan River Gallery.

organisation

Image Guide

Empress Joséphine’s Garden

Take the VSO tour

Museum walking tour

Tour the submarine

HMAS Ovens Photogallery

Deep dive into our rich in-gallery experiences

Deep Dives

Making History

Australia II and America's Cup

Jon Sanders

Parry Endeavour

The big tail

Whale

From a Lighthouse in North Western Australia

Cape Leveque Lantern

Indonesian fishing boat (perahu)

Sama Biasa

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WA Maritime Museum

Marine Pilots in Fremantle Port1829 – PresentMarine pilots have guided ships into and out of every major harbour around the world for centuries, in fact millennia. Even though it is one of the world’s oldest continuing professions, there is little understanding of the role of the pilot. Often it is thought they drive the tugs, or perhaps lead the ship in with the pilot boat.Many are surprised to hear the pilot boat is the transport for the pilot out to the ship from where they proceed to climb a rope ladder and scramble onboard, day and night and in all weather conditions. They then meet the captain, take over the vessels navigation through port waters and manoeuvre the ship into its allocated berth, controlling the tugs and other aspects of this complex operation. Although ships have increased in size and technology has advanced considerably, these essential elements of the pilot’s role have remained remarkably consistent over time.This photographic exhibition aims to highlight the critical role marine pilots have played in the Port of Fremantle since the first pilot service began in 1829. It also marks the 30th anniversary of Fremantle Pilots as the pilotage provider in the Port of Fremantle.LocationWA Maritime Museum Victoria Quay Road, Fremantle / WalyalupDatesSaturday 10 August - Sunday 27 October 2024TicketsFree exhibition with Museum entry | Balustrade Gallery

10 August - 17 October 2024

More information and tickets 

Pilot on Board

WA Museum has partnered with Fremantle documentary company, Prospero Productions, to bring you an immersive cinema experience,&nbsp;Under the Dome.Enjoy documentary films throughout the year in this unique, boutique, 22-seat, 180° curved dome cinema with 5.1 surround sound.Let us transport you to other worlds through films specially created for this dome experience, by a local team dedicated to showcasing the wonder of our state and sharing our stories.We’ll be screening films daily that combine the natural world, history, science, technology and adventure, giving you a deeper insight into Western Australia.Please note,&nbsp;Under the Dome: Cinema Experience&nbsp;is not suited for children 4 years and younger.<h4>Session times</h4>10am – Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef 10.45am – Whale Super Highway 11.30am – Star Dreaming 12.15pm – Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef 1pm - Whale Super Highway 1.45pm - Star Dreaming 2.30pm – Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great Reef 3.15pm – Whale Super Highway 4pm – Star DreamingUnder the Dome&nbsp;is screening daily. The dome cinema is air-conditioned and has two seats that can be removed to accommodate one wheelchair.<h4>Cost</h4>Included with General AdmissionBook online or at the Museum's reception desk<h4>Explore the films</h4>Ningaloo: Australia's Other Great ReefYoung marine scientist, Anna Cresswell, aboard mini-submersible Odyssea, embarks on a daring voyage into the labyrinth of Western Australia’s iconic Ningaloo Reef. Her mission is to witness the annual, synchronised mass coral spawning.Whale Super HighwayFollow humpback whales and blue pygmy whales on their 6,500-kilometre migration down the coast of Western Australia to the freezing waters of Antarctica and back again. Once hunted to the brink of extinction, humpback whales have made an extraordinary recovery. Today, Western Australia has the largest population of migratory humpbacks in the world, with more than 35,000 humpbacks travelling this stretch of water annually.Star DreamingLook to the stars and take a breathtaking journey through science and Aboriginal culture with&nbsp;Star Dreaming&nbsp;– fusing live action with cutting edge technology and astrophysics. Follow as two children go on a magical odyssey through time and space, exploring the mysteries of the Universe and the ancient stories of Yamaji people from the Murchison region.

Immersive Film Screenings

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Under the Dome: Cinema Experience

Make the most of your visit to the Maritime Museum with a free tour of the galleries.

This tour will introduce you to some iconic objects showcased in the museum.

Days &amp; Time: Guided tours run daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm

Cost: Free with Museum entry

Bookings are required for groups of 10+ and can be made by calling 1300 134 081 or emailing&nbsp;<a href="mailto:reception@museum.wa.gov.au">reception@museum.wa.gov.au</a>

Daily at 10.30am and 2.30pm

Museum Entry Tickets

Highlights Tour 

<h4>The Oberon class Submarine HMAS&nbsp;Ovens&nbsp;is an authentic Cold War-era vessel situated on Fremantle's historic World War Two submarine slipway.</h4>Guided tours of the submarine reveal intimate details about living and serving aboard the 89 metre long vessel. Amongst controls, sensors, tactical equipment and torpedoes, 63 people lived and served aboard the vessel in extremely cramped conditions.Find out what life is like aboard a submarine and immerse yourself&nbsp;in Fremantle's secret wartime history.Daily&nbsp;| Every&nbsp;half hour, 10am –&nbsp;3.30pm Subject to availabilityBookingsOur daily HMAS Ovens tours are hosted by expert volunteers and are subject to session time availability.&nbsp;Please call ahead if you have a larger group or if you are concerned about weather conditions. Tours can be cancelled because of severe weather conditions. This includes high winds, thunderstorms, and high temperatures. Tickets will be refunded in such events.Please arrive 15 minutes before your tour is due to commence.The tour takes approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to complete.Please see the <a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime/hmas-ovens-tour">WA Maritime Museum website</a> for more information.&nbsp;TransportWe advise planning your transport ahead of time, as parking is limited at Victoria Quay. We recommend using public transport on weekends and school holidays.Health and safetyThe tour includes climbing 9-metre-high scaffolding stairs, steeply inclined ladders and bending through narrow hatchways. A reasonable level of fitness, freedom from significant injuries, and the ability to climb independently (without walking aids) are required.For safety reasons, children must be over the age of six and at least 100 centimetres tall to participate in the submarine tour.Please see the <a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-09/ENDORSED%20HMAS%20Ovens%20Conditions%20of%20Entry%202019.pdf">Conditions of Entry.</a> &nbsp;HMAS Ovens: Take a Virtual TourCan't make it onto HMAS Ovens? Take a fascinating 360° virtual reality tour of submarine HMAS Ovens&nbsp;from the comfort of your own home.<a href="https://my.matterport.com/show/?m=gmoVdfdLUNb&amp;ts=1&amp;wts=3">Take a virtual tour of HMAS Ovens here.&nbsp;</a>

HMAS Ovens

Daily | Every half hour, 10am – 3.30pm 

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HMAS Ovens Tour

<h4>Aboriginal people have been swimming, diving, fishing and caring for country across the coastal lands and waters of WA since ancient times.</h4>Take a journey through the WA Maritime Museum galleries to explore the fascinating culture and rich maritime traditions of different language groups. Aboriginal peoples continue to share their knowledge and spiritual connections to marine animals and landscapes.&nbsp;

Tour Available on Request

Request a Tour

One land, Many Cultures Tour

Join us on a special tour where storytelling with objects encourages conversations and evokes memories.This is a specialised tour for people living with dementia and their carers.Please note that tours are subject to availability, so please express your interest in the link above. Please allow at least 2 working days for your request to be processed.Site accessibility information can be found on the main&nbsp;<a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime">WA Maritime Museum page</a>.

Objects and Memories Tour

This tour is designed for visitors who are blind or vision impaired.Participants have the chance to touch and examine specially selected objects from the Museum's collections and displays.Please note that tours are subject to availability, so please express your interest in the link above. Please allow at least 2 working days for your request to be processed.Site accessibility information can be found on the main&nbsp;<a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/maritime">WA Maritime Museum page</a>.

Please Touch: Tactile Tour

Experience the local wildlife of Victoria Quay and the mouth of the Derbal Yerrigan (Swan River).&nbsp;This guided tour covers the biological, environmental, and cultural significance of local species, and how human activities on the area have impacted populations and behaviour.&nbsp;Our knowledgeable volunteers lead this 20-30 minute guided tour at the grounds just outside the WA Maritime Museum.&nbsp;Please dress appropriately for the weather with comfortable shoes.&nbsp;&nbsp;We cannot guarantee plentiful wildlife will be present for every tour, except for algae and barnacles!&nbsp; &nbsp;DatesTour available on request&nbsp;CostFree | Included with General Admission Subject to availability, enquire at front deskDuration20 - 30 minutes

Tour available on request 

Request a tour 

Volunteer Guided Tour: Wild Walk

<h4>Take some time for a sensory-friendly visit to the WA Maritime Museum with your family.</h4>In consultation with Autism WA, we have developed some resources for families that will help you plan and enjoy a sensory-sensitive visit with us. These visual stories and sensory map will assist family visitors that are keen to explore the Maritime Museum in a quiet atmosphere.&nbsp;The Museum generally experiences a quieter period from 2pm on weekdays, which we recommend for a planned sensory-friendly visit.&nbsp;Here are some resources developed to support quiet visits&nbsp;Sensory map of the Maritime Museum to identify high and low sensory areas for visit planning:&nbsp;<ul><li><a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-11/Sensory_Map_Maritime.pdf">Sensory Map of&nbsp;WA Maritime Museum PDF [1.76MB]</a>&nbsp;</li></ul>Visual stories to support families with pre-visit planning discussion:<ul><li><a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-11/Social_Story_Families_w_Younger_Maritime.pdf">Visual story for families with young children PDF [4.2MB]</a></li><li><a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-11/Social_Story_Families_w_Older_Maritime.pdf">Visual story&nbsp;for families with older children PDF [3.65MB]</a></li><li><a href="https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-11/Autism_Sensory_Visual_Support_Maritime.pdf">Visual Support for&nbsp;WA Maritime Museum PDF [639.2KB]</a></li></ul>

WA Maritime Museum

What's On

Pilot on Board

Under the Dome: Cinema Experience

Highlights Tour

HMAS Ovens Tour

One land, Many Cultures Tour

Objects and Memories Tour

Please Touch: Tactile Tour

Volunteer Guided Tour: Wild Walk

Sensory Friendly Resources

Promoted Deep Dives

Empress Joséphine’s Garden

Museum walking tour

HMAS Ovens Photogallery

Galleries

Empress Joséphine’s Garden

Hooked on Fishing

Swan River Gallery

Woodside WA Down Under Gallery

Tin Canoe to Australia II Gallery

Fremantle Gallery

Cargoes Gallery

Naval Gallery

HMAS Ovens

Robert Steele Steam Machinery Exhibition

Indian Ocean Gallery

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