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 large display table with a diorama of Fremantle Harbour is a central element of this gallery.

Fremantle Gallery

Fremantle's story is highly influenced by the ever-changing shipping activity in its port, located just outside the Museum.

View the gangway that brought thousands of immigrants ashore, learn about CY O'Connor, and read about the port's working history.

Hero Objects

A large display table shows a diorama of the harbour beneath a clear cover.

Fremantle Harbour

Model

A tall cylindrical metal device mounted upright behind a glass shield.

Dines Anemometer

Recording the Wind

A large model of a black and brown wooden ship in a glass display case, mounted on the wall. Large tet above reads "Aberdeen and Commonwealth Line."

SS Ashridge

Tramp Steamer

Two large circular bollards mounted with yellow bolts onto the Museum floor.

Double bollard plug

MH 187, donated by State Engineering Works.

A large round life preserver labelled "Wyola Fremantle," on display behind glass.

Wyola Maritime Equipment

Showcase

The top half of a white mannequin wearing a black jacket and white cap.

Pilot Uniform

Fremantle Port Authority

Circular corroded metal components set on clear plastic frame.

Chronometer from Elizabeth

EL425, recovered 1970.

Flinders bay model

Model of MV Flinders Bay

MH 1611a, donated by Overseas Containers Ltd.

A very large model of a white and brown ship in a Museum display case. It has a bright yellow funnel.

MV Koomala I

Model

A large display case holds a ship model with many sails. Its hull is black, white and red and there are blue and white Finnish flags painted on the side.

Lawhill

Four Masted Barque

A large metal lifeboat painted bright yellow is suspended above a tall display case.

Lifeboat

A Life Saver

Above a large display table with the harbour diorama is a tall metal pole with many different shaped lights mounted all over it. Three flags hang off the side.

Lights and Signals

Lighting the Way

Inside a display case is a large model of a modern cargo ship.

Woodchip Carrier Oji Universe

Model

A display cabinet showing hand-drawn posters and documents.

Framed Union Illustrations

Strength in Solidarity

Behind a glass shield is a narrow dark wood cabinet with two columns of small drawers. On top is a glass display containing a wooden boat model.

C.Y. O'Connor Cabinet

Showcase

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

A brown metal medal, with green corrosion spots. There is an image of a ship in the centre and the medal reads 'Jacks Day, HMS Hood, 1924.'

A Spark of Genius - CY O'Connor's Plan for a Port

Plans for an inner harbour for Fremantle - a story told in maps

Article

Outside of the Museum near the water, a white pointed device taller than a person rises up from the concrete.

Managing an Asset - Gear for Port Maintenance

The tide gauge - Fremantle harbour

Article

Colour aerial photograph postcard of large white ship docking at wharf.

A Major Asset - The Extent of the Port of Fremantle

3D plan of Fremantle Ports

Article

A large procession of mourners walking past Fremantle's Esplanade Hotel. There are onlookers and carts with horses on the street also.

A Tough Place to Work - Wharfies and Lumpers

Hard work, and not much of it - bale hook, by the strength of thine back

Article

The Lawhill floats on calm water with all its sails raised.

Before the Smell of Smoke - The Era of Sail

The mighty barque Lawhill

Article

A large steam ship at harbour, Fremantle's old rail yards can be seen beside the dock.

After Sail - The Era of Steam

Beauty and brawn? Ashridge and Koolama

Article

A large water pipe stretches into the distance, surrounded by trees. Many workers stand near it posing for the camera.

The triumph and tragedy of CY O'Connor

Chair, drawers and drawing instruments of Charles Yelverton O'Connor

Article

A mannequin wearing the convict uniform.

Too fragile to show

A Western Australian convict's uniform

Article

A photograph of an explosion in the harbour. There are workers watching from boats and a makeshift platform.

An Albany detour

How CY O'Connor shortened the journey to Perth

Article

A large display table with a diorama of Fremantle Harbour is a central element of this gallery.

Maritime Fremantle 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.