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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A replica 'souk' marketplace after the children's activity area is a central piece of the gallery.

Indian Ocean Gallery

Indian Ocean connections

For thousands of years, the Indian Ocean has linked cultures through the trade of goods and ideas.This gallery traces the paths of these early maritime travellers, giving visitors a chance to explore the roots of our modern multicultural community.

Hero Objects

A collection of small pale-coloured round shells in a shallow wooden display case, with a pink background.

Cowrie Shells

Trade

A long thin wooden rod attached to the display with a rope. There is a piece of wood on the rod you can move back and forth. The display reads 'try navigating with the cross-staff.'

Cross Staff

Navigation

Two small wooden canoes, suspended for display in the Museum.

Dugout Canoes

Kimberley, 1921

A rectangular wooden block with a rope through the centre. It sits on a display labelled 'try navigating with a kamal.'

Kamal

Navigation

Baskets of goods on display in the replica marketplace in the Museum.

Souk

Middle Eastern Trade

A heavily corroded metal circular object on display behind glass. There are four holes around the centre so the circle appears to be in four quarters.

Astrolabe

Navigation

A model of a wooden sailing ship on display in a glass case.

T'Weseltje – Dutch Gallion

Ship model

A small wooden sailing boat. The hull is painted white with yellow, red and blue stripes. The sails are striped blue and white.

Sama Biasa

Indonesian fishing boat (perahu)

Deep Dives

From the Swan River gallery walkway, viewing the Australia II yacht with the ocean through the large windows beyond is a highlight of the Museum.

Museum walking tour

Take the VSO tour

Tour

Baskets of goods on display in the replica marketplace in the Museum.

The First Explorers- Arab Traders in the Indian Ocean

A bit of everything- Middle Eastern trade

Article

A rectangular wooden block with a rope through the centre. It sits on a display labelled 'try navigating with a kamal.'

The First Explorers- Arab Traders in the Indian Ocean

Finding your way in unknown waters- the kamal

Article

A long thin wooden rod attached to the display with a rope. There is a piece of wood on the rod you can move back and forth. The display reads 'try navigating with the cross-staff.'

The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch

Finding your way in an unknown world - the cross staff

Article

A heavily corroded metal circular object on display behind glass. There are four holes around the centre so the circle appears to be in four quarters.

The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch

The mariner's astrolabe - measuring the heavens

Article

Old photograph of a white European on a horse in front of a line of mounted East Timorese men.

The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch

New arrivals in an old world

Article

A model of a wooden sailing ship on display in a glass case.

The Europeans Arrive - the Portuguese and the Dutch

T’Weseltje: small ship in a wide ocean

Article

Two small wooden canoes, suspended for display in the Museum.

Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures

First Nations encounters with others, from overseas

Article

A ship with both masts and a steam funnel visible. A rowboat in front of it flies a British flag.

Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures

Slow to catch on? The arrival of steam in the Indian Ocean

Article

Men, women and children crowded on a small wooden boat with makeshift sail. Some are waving for help at a larger ship.

Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures

The boat people - risking all

Article

A collection of small pale-coloured round shells in a shallow wooden display case, with a pink background.

Maritime Melting Pot - Indian Ocean Cultures

The most basic currency - the cowrie shell

Article

A large metal pan resting on stones. There are cooked sea slugs in the centre.

A Revolting Slug? No, a Valuable Food

Sea slug or 'beche de mer'?

Article

A small wooden sailing boat. The hull is painted white with yellow, red and blue stripes. The sails are striped blue and white.

Indonesian Connections - Sama Biasa and Australia's Borders

Making a living from the sea - Sama Biasa

Article

A small wooden sailing boat. The hull is painted white with yellow, red and blue stripes. The sails are striped blue and white.

Indonesian Connections - Sama Biasa and Australia's Borders

Why is Sama Biasa in the WA Maritime Museum?

Article

A small wooden sailing boat. The hull is painted white with yellow, red and blue stripes. The sails are striped blue and white.

Shipboard Life on board the Sama Biasa

Living simply

Article

A display of three large spice grinding pestles, and spices in square boxes above.

The Jewel in the Crown - the Spice Trade

Spices- worth their weight in gold 

Article

Two small wooden canoes, suspended for display in the Museum.

Getting Around the Maritime World - Indian Ocean Watercraft

Wonderful watercraft

Article

A man in a suit standing in front of the timbers of the Batavia shipwreck.

Dirk Hartog Introduction

WA Museum James Dexter

Video

A replica 'souk' marketplace after the children's activity area is a central piece of the gallery.

Indian Ocean Gallery.
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.