The Museum of the Great Southern is a regional museum located at Kalyenup / Residency Road in Albany, Western Australia, on the site of the first European permanent settlement in Western Australia (1826). This guide covers opening hours, parking, accessibility, and practical visitor information.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Daily: 10:00–16:00 | Anzac Day: 13:00–16:00 |
| Admission | Free entry (donations welcome) |
| Address | Kalyenup / Residency Road, Albany, WA 6330 |
| Nearest transport | Walking distance from Albany town centre | TransRegional bus services available |
| Typical visit duration | 1 to 2 hours |
Museum of the Great Southern opening hours
The Museum of the Great Southern is open daily from 10:00 to 16:00. On Anzac Day, the museum opens from 13:00 to 16:00. The museum is closed on Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day. All other public holidays, the museum is open from 10:00 to 16:00.
Museum of the Great Southern admission
General admission to the Museum of the Great Southern is free. Donations are welcome and can be made at the reception desk in the Eclipse Building. Some special exhibitions and events may charge a fee. Educational programmes for schools and groups may incur charges for facilitated sessions.
Opening hours and admission information were checked on the official website and last updated in February 2026.
Five great things to do in Albany
- 🎖️ Learn Australia’s war stories at the National Anzac Centre.
- 🚤 Board the Kalgan Queen for a wildlife and nature cruise.
- 🐋 Discover whaling industry secrets at Albany’s Historic Whaling Station.
- 🌊 Take a tour to the best spots along Albany’s dramatic coastline.
- 🚁 See that coastline from the sky on a scenic helicopter flight.
How to get to the Museum of the Great Southern
The Museum of the Great Southern is located on Residency Road in Albany, overlooking Princess Royal Harbour. The museum is within walking distance of Albany town centre. Visitors arriving by car from Perth should follow Albany Highway (State Route 30) south for approximately 410 kilometres, then follow signs to the town centre and waterfront.
Bus services operate to Albany from Perth and other regional centres via TransRegional services. Journey planning information is available via the Public Transport Authority of Western Australia website. The museum is located approximately 10 minutes’ walk from the main bus stop in Albany town centre.
Parking at the Museum of the Great Southern
On-site parking is available free of charge at the Museum of the Great Southern. The main visitor car park is located adjacent to the museum buildings with level access to the entrances. Two large accessible parking bays are available in the main car park. Drop-off areas are located in front of the Eclipse Building and Residency Building with level access.
How long to spend at the Museum of the Great Southern
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours at the Museum of the Great Southern. The permanent exhibition in the Residency Building typically requires 30 to 45 minutes to view. The Eclipse Building galleries, including the Lighthouse Exhibition and Fishing Collection, take an additional 30 to 45 minutes. Visitors wishing to board the Brig Amity replica and listen to the full audio guide should allow an additional 20 to 30 minutes. The museum precinct includes outdoor gardens and heritage buildings that can be explored at leisure.
Accessibility at the Museum of the Great Southern
All galleries at the Museum of the Great Southern have level flooring. Level 2 of the Eclipse Building is accessible via lift. The Brig Amity replica ship is not wheelchair accessible due to the gangplank and deck structure. One manual wheelchair is available to borrow from reception on a first-come, first-served basis.
Accessible paths lead from parking and drop-off areas to both main museum entrances. Small ramps provide access to the Eclipse Building entrance (leading down) and to the Co-op Building and School Room (leading up). All entrance doors require manual opening. Reception is located in the Eclipse Building on the ground floor immediately inside the doors.
The museum site does not have universal access toilets. A larger toilet with handrails is available within the staff administration area if required urgently. Audio guides are available on the Brig Amity. The museum does not have cloaking facilities or bag storage areas, so luggage and large bags should not be brought to the museum.
What to see at the Museum of the Great Southern
The Residency Building houses the permanent exhibition showcasing Menang Noongar culture, the region’s natural environment, and social history of the South Coast. The building dates from 1850 and originally served as a store and office for the nearby convict hiring depot. Displays focus on the stories of the Menang Noongar people and the role of Mokare, a young Noongar warrior who acted as an intermediary between Noongar people and European explorers in an unfamiliar environment. Exhibits explore the region’s unique landscapes, flora, and fauna, with particular focus on the six seasons of the Menang calendar.
The Eclipse Building contains long-term collections including the Lighthouse Exhibition, Fishing Collection, and the Fish Wall. The Eclipse Island Optic features rotating glass lenses that were formerly used in lighthouse operations. The Discovery Centre on the ground floor of the Eclipse Building provides hands-on, interactive experiences. Temporary and travelling exhibitions are displayed in the Eclipse Building gallery space.
The Brig Amity is a full-scale replica of the convict ship that sailed from Sydney to King George Sound in December 1826, establishing the first European settlement on the west coast of Australia. Visitors can walk aboard the ship and explore the deck and below-deck areas. Audio guides provide accounts of the six-week voyage, the 23 convicts, 21 soldiers, crew, and domestic animals carried aboard. The audio tour describes conditions experienced by passengers during the journey to unknown lands.
The Torbay School building is a restored one-room, one-teacher schoolhouse that served as a tribute to Western Australia’s pioneer teachers. The building is used for school holiday activities, special events, and museum programmes. It provides insight into the history of rural education and conditions experienced in early settlement days.
Three heritage gardens surround the museum buildings. The Bush Tucker Garden contains plants used by Menang people and reflects the six seasons of the local Aboriginal calendar. The Frog Garden and Lizard Garden showcase local fauna and flora, each with related activities and educational focuses.
Practical visitor tips
| Tip | Details |
|---|---|
| Visiting order | Start at the Eclipse Building reception to collect any materials, then visit the Residency Building permanent exhibition before exploring outdoor areas and the Brig Amity. |
| Guided tours | Informative volunteer guides are available to assist visitors, answer questions, and provide recommendations for other Albany attractions. |
| School holidays | The Discovery Centre hosts changing interactive programmes during school holiday periods. Check the What’s On calendar on the museum website for current activities. |
| Photography | Personal photography is permitted throughout the museum and on the Brig Amity. |
| Weather | Albany experiences cool temperatures year-round. Bring warm layers, particularly when visiting outdoor areas and the Brig Amity. |
Frequently asked questions about the Museum of the Great Southern
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the Museum of the Great Southern suitable for children? | Yes. The Discovery Centre provides hands-on interactive experiences, and children enjoy exploring the Brig Amity. School holiday programmes are specifically designed for families. |
| Do you need to book in advance for the Museum of the Great Southern? | No. General admission does not require advance booking. School groups and organised groups should contact the museum in advance to arrange visits. |
| Is the Museum of the Great Southern open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open every Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00. |
| Are bags allowed at the Museum of the Great Southern? | Yes, though the museum does not have bag storage facilities. Visitors should not bring large luggage to the museum. |
| Can you take photographs at the Museum of the Great Southern? | Yes. Personal photography is permitted throughout the museum and on the Brig Amity. |
Things to do near the Museum of the Great Southern
The National Anzac Centre is located at Albany Heritage Park on Mount Clarence, approximately 2 kilometres from the Museum of the Great Southern. The centre opened in November 2014 to commemorate the centenary of the Anzac convoy’s departure from Albany in 1914. Multimedia exhibitions explore the experiences of Australian and New Zealand soldiers during the First World War.
Torndirrup National Park is located approximately 15 kilometres south of Albany via Frenchman Bay Road. The 3,900-hectare park features dramatic coastal granite formations including The Gap (a 24-metre channel carved by ocean waves) and the Natural Bridge. Viewing platforms provide safe access to overlooks. The park includes walking trails, beaches, and the Blowholes.
Albany’s Historic Whaling Station is located at Frenchman Bay, approximately 20 kilometres from Albany town centre. The former Cheynes Beach Whaling Company station operated from 1952 to 1978 and is now preserved as a museum. Guided tours explore the whaling process and the station’s history.
Patrick Taylor Cottage is located in Albany town centre, approximately 1 kilometre from the Museum of the Great Southern. Built in 1832 to 1833, the cottage is the oldest surviving dwelling in Western Australia. The museum displays furnishings and artefacts from early colonial life.
More Western Australia travel
Other Western Australia travel articles on Planet Whitley include:
- Meet the kangaroos at Yalgardup Falls in Margaret River.
- Wildlife and adventure in Margaret River.
- Stare out over the Indian Ocean from the Wilyabrup Cliffs.
- How to climb the Cape Leeuwin Lighthouse near Augusta.
- Can you visit Breaksea Island in Albany?
