The WA Shipwrecks Museum is a maritime archaeology museum in Fremantle, Western Australia, housed in the 1850s Commissariat buildings and displaying artefacts from historic shipwrecks including the Batavia (1629).
This guide covers opening hours, admission, parking, accessibility and practical tips for visiting this internationally recognised maritime museum.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open daily 09:30-17:00. |
| Admission | Free general admission (suggested donation $5). Special exhibitions may charge a fee. |
| Address | 47 Cliff Street, Fremantle, Western Australia 6160 |
| Getting there | 5-minute walk from Fremantle Station. 30 minutes from Perth by train or car. Transperth buses stop nearby. |
| Time needed | 1 to 2 hours for permanent galleries. Add 30 minutes for special exhibitions. |
WA Shipwrecks Museum opening hours
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is open daily from 09:30 to 17:00 throughout the year. The museum operates reduced hours on some public holidays:
- Good Friday: Closed
- Anzac Day: Open 13:00-17:00
- Christmas Day: Closed
- Boxing Day: Closed
- New Year’s Day: Closed
- All other public holidays: Open 09:30-17:00
Free guided tours operate at 10:30 and 14:30 daily (except during school holidays when tour times may vary). Tours last approximately 40 minutes and cover the museum’s main galleries.
5 great things to do in Perth
- 🚲 Take the ferry to Rottnest Island – then cycle to the beaches and quokkas.
- 🌌 Dine in the desert and go stargazing – on an evening Pinnacles tour.
- 🐬 Swim with wild dolphins – on a wildlife adventure to Rockingham.
- 🍷 Combine a Swan River cruise with wine-tasting in the Swan Valley.
- 🏟️ Go behind the scenes – on an Optus Stadium tour.
WA Shipwrecks Museum admission prices
General admission to the WA Shipwrecks Museum is free. A suggested donation of $5 is welcomed to support the museum’s conservation and education work. Donations can be made at the reception desk or in donation boxes throughout the museum.
Special exhibitions and events may charge an admission fee. Current and upcoming special exhibitions are listed on the museum website. Opening hours and admission information were checked and updated January 2026.
WA Museum membership provides unlimited visits to all WA Museum locations for 12 months from $15. Members receive advance notice of exhibitions, exclusive events and discounts in museum shops.
How to get to the WA Shipwrecks Museum
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is located on Cliff Street in Fremantle, approximately 20 kilometres southwest of Perth city centre. Fremantle is accessible by train, bus, car and ferry.
By train, Transperth Fremantle line trains run regularly from Perth city centre to Fremantle Station. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. From Fremantle Station, the museum is a 5-minute walk (400 metres). Exit the station, turn left onto Queen Victoria Street, continue to Cliff Street and turn right.
By bus, several Transperth routes serve Fremantle including routes 148, 158 and CAT (Central Area Transit) buses. Route 532 runs through the Fremantle CBD every 15 minutes seven days a week. Plan journeys using the Transperth journey planner.
By ferry, Captain Cook Cruises operates ferry services from Perth to Fremantle, arriving at B-Shed ferry terminal near the museum.
Parking at the WA Shipwrecks Museum
Limited street parking is available on Cliff Street near the museum. Parking is metered Monday to Saturday 08:00-18:00. Sundays and public holidays offer free street parking.
The City of Fremantle car park is located immediately outside the museum and offers pay-and-display parking at $1.80 per hour. Wilson’s car park at Victoria Quay (near the WA Maritime Museum) provides additional paid parking approximately 400 metres away.
Two accessible parking bays are located directly in front of the museum on Cliff Street. One additional accessible bay is available on Slip Street. All accessible bays are level with ramp access to the museum entrance.
Public transport is recommended as parking can be limited, particularly on weekends when Fremantle Markets operate (Friday to Sunday).
How long to spend at the WA Shipwrecks Museum
Most visitors spend 1 to 2 hours exploring the permanent galleries. The museum’s main exhibits cover three levels of the historic Commissariat building.
Visitors interested in maritime archaeology and history typically spend 1.5-2 hours reading information panels and examining artefacts closely. Families with children generally spend 1-1.5 hours. Special exhibitions add approximately 30 minutes to visit time.
Free guided tours (40 minutes) provide detailed information about the Batavia shipwreck and mutiny, Dutch East India Company vessels and Western Australia’s maritime history. Tours operate at 10:30 and 14:30 daily except during school holidays.
Accessibility at the WA Shipwrecks Museum
The WA Shipwrecks Museum is fully accessible. A ramp and lift provide disabled access to all three levels of the building. Automatic doors operate at gallery entrances.
Wheelchair availability: One wheelchair is available for visitor use. Book in advance through reception to guarantee availability.
Accessible toilets are located on the ground floor. The museum shop and reception desk are accessible. Most interactive displays include captions. Touch trolleys with tactile objects are available during school holidays and special exhibitions.
Trained guide or assistance dogs are welcome. The museum does not have hearing loops. The museum entrance is approximately 30 metres from the nearest drop-off point via level path with self-opening doors.
The museum provides site maps in English and Simplified Chinese (downloadable PDF format on the website) to assist with navigation.
What to see at the WA Shipwrecks Museum
The Batavia Gallery displays artefacts from the Dutch East India Company ship Batavia, which wrecked off the Western Australian coast in 1629. The collection includes the stone entrance facade intended for Batavia (Jakarta), weaponry, coins, ceramics and personal items. Information panels detail the subsequent mutiny and murders, one of the deadliest in maritime history.
The Galleries of Sail and Steam showcase Western Australia’s treacherous coast and the hundreds of ships wrecked along it. Exhibits include anchors, cannons, ship fittings, navigation equipment and recovered cargo from vessels spanning the 17th to 20th centuries.
Special exhibitions change periodically and explore different aspects of maritime archaeology, conservation and history. Current exhibitions (2025-2026) include “First Encounters: Artist Interventions with the VOC Shipwrecks” and “Naval Sea Power in Miniature” featuring detailed model ships.
The Commissariat building itself dates from the 1850s and was built using convict labour to store supplies for the Swan River colony. The limestone walls and colonial architecture are historically significant as among Western Australia’s earliest convict-built structures.
Practical tips for visiting the WA Shipwrecks Museum
| Tip |
|---|
| Join the free guided tour at 10:30 or 14:30 to gain deeper insight into the Batavia story and shipwreck artefacts. |
| Arrive early (09:30-10:30) or late afternoon (15:30-17:00) to avoid school groups and tour buses. |
| The museum does not have bag storage or cloaking facilities; avoid bringing large luggage or bags. |
| Combine your visit with the nearby WA Maritime Museum (400 metres along Cliff Street) for a full day of maritime history. |
| Photography is permitted throughout the museum for personal use. Flash photography may be restricted near sensitive artefacts. |
| Download the museum site map before visiting to plan your route through the three-level building. |
| The ground floor museum shop sells maritime-themed gifts, books, jewellery and souvenirs. |
Facilities at the WA Shipwrecks Museum
The museum shop is located on the ground floor in the main entrance area. The shop stocks books about Western Australian maritime history, shipwreck archaeology, Batavia-themed items, model ships, jewellery and locally made gifts.
Toilets including a unisex accessible toilet are located on the ground floor. No café or food service is available within the museum. Fremantle offers numerous cafés, restaurants and takeaway options within 5 minutes’ walk.
Free WiFi is available in visitor areas. The museum does not provide food storage, microwaves or eating areas. Visitors can eat packed lunches at nearby Esplanade Park or Bathers Beach.
Frequently asked questions about the WA Shipwrecks Museum
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the WA Shipwrecks Museum suitable for children? | Yes. The museum displays historic artefacts and tells dramatic stories suitable for children aged 8+. The Batavia mutiny story contains disturbing historical content. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance for the WA Shipwrecks Museum? | No. General admission is free with no booking required. Walk-up entry is available daily. Special exhibitions requiring tickets can be booked online. |
| Is the WA Shipwrecks Museum open on Sundays? | Yes. The museum is open daily including Sundays, 09:30-17:00. |
| Are bags allowed at the WA Shipwrecks Museum? | Small bags and handbags are permitted. The museum does not have bag storage facilities, so large luggage and rucksacks should not be brought to the museum. |
| How long does the guided tour take at the WA Shipwrecks Museum? | Free guided tours last approximately 40 minutes and operate at 10:30 and 14:30 daily (except during school holidays). |
| Can you take photos at the WA Shipwrecks Museum? | Yes. Photography for personal use is permitted throughout the museum. Flash photography may be restricted near light-sensitive artefacts. |
The Batavia story
The Batavia was a Dutch East India Company flagship that struck a reef in the Houtman Abrolhos islands in June 1629. After the ship’s commander and most senior officers left to seek rescue, a mutiny erupted under merchant Jeronimus Cornelisz.
Over several weeks, the mutineers murdered approximately 125 men, women and children. When rescue arrived months later, the mutineers were captured and several were executed on nearby islands. Two mutineers were marooned on the Australian mainland, becoming the first known Europeans to live in Australia.
The museum displays artefacts recovered from the wreck site including the ornate stone entrance facade, original timbers, weapons used during the mutiny, coins, ceramics and personal belongings of passengers and crew.
Things to do near the WA Shipwrecks Museum
WA Maritime Museum (400 metres) houses the Australia II America’s Cup yacht, HMAS Ovens submarine and Jon Sanders’ vessels. The museum explores Western Australia’s maritime heritage through permanent and special exhibitions.
Fremantle Prison (1 kilometre) is a UNESCO World Heritage-listed convict-built former maximum-security prison. Guided tours include the Convict Prison Tour, Tunnels Tour and Torchlight Tour. Built in the 1850s and operational until 1991.
Fremantle Markets (700 metres) operate Friday to Sunday in an 1897 heritage building. The markets feature 150+ stalls selling fresh produce, artisan foods, crafts, clothing, jewellery and Aboriginal art. Live music and street food.
Bathers Beach (200 metres) is a sheltered sandy beach between the Shipwrecks Museum and WA Maritime Museum. The beach features a licensed area where visitors can order drinks to beach loungers.
The Round House (500 metres) is Western Australia’s oldest public building, built in 1831 as a colonial prison. The building overlooks the ocean from a limestone bluff. Daily cannon firing at 13:00.
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