The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.

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The front section of a red bicycle with many fish in a basket. Behind it in a glass case is a green rectangular cabinet with a door; this is the coolgardie cooler.

Coolgardie Safe

Before Refrigeration

Coolgardie Safe was one of the few ways to keep perishables cool before refrigeration.

Hessian or jute sides absorbed water from an in built reservoir. Air flowing through the hessian cooled the safe. Understandably, these sales were suitable for preserving.

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Deep Dives

The safe has a metal rectangular tray at the bottom and a metal frame on top. The sides of the frame are covered with hessian material.

More a Hobby than a Profession - Fishing Before Refrigeration

Keeping it edible - the Coolgardie cooler - a WA invention?

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The front section of a red bicycle with many fish in a basket. Behind it in a glass case is a green rectangular cabinet with a door; this is the coolgardie cooler.

Coolgardie cooler.
Credit: WA Museum

The Western Australian Museum acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of their ancestral lands, waters and skies.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are advised that this digital guide may include images, sounds, and names of now deceased persons.