Perth Cultural Centre, Perth

The Art Gallery offers "exciting encounters with the art of Western Australia, Australian Indigenous art and the art of the world" (quote from their website).

The house hosts an impressive collection of indigenous art. I do not know enough about the art of Australia's aborigines to really appreciate the quality but the collection seems to be at highest level. All I could do was watch and marvel - the works are unusual to the eyes of a western art historian but definitely fascinating.

Large parts of the gallery are used for temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, often two or three at the same time. Check on the website what is on, or let yourself be surprised. I got to see an exhibition of art works done by 12th grade high school students which was surprisingly good.

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Western Australia Museum consists of several departments that present history, culture, flora and fauna of Perth and Western Australia.

Old Gaol: The restored building contains an exhibition on life in 19th century Perth, furniture and household items, a blacksmith's shop, a pharmacy, technical devices like grammophones and telephones, and children's clothes and toys.

Natural history and science: A traditional natural history museum showing birds, mammals, butterflies, maritime gallery - mostly dead stuffed animals and preparates. Not my favourite part.

Discovery centre for adults and children: interactive exhibition on nature with materials to touch, drawers to open, and a lot of discoveries to be made.

West Australia - Land and People exhibition in the old library wing, left of the main entrance.
This exhibition is excellent and absolutely worth visiting. The best the museum has to offer.
The presentation begins with the creation of the world a) according to the local aboriginal myth and b) according to modern science, both presented as equals. The era of the dinosaurs. the arrival and life of the aborigines. White settlement and colonization, including both the life of the early settlers and the consequences for the native population, are explained from individual persons and their fates, proved by historical sources. Cultural differences are shown from the perspectives of both winners and losers.
The second half is dedicated to man's interference with nature and its environmental consequences: Farming, mining, whaling and fishing, wood industry, gold rush and exploitation of other natural ressources, the growth of Perth metropolis. Resulting ecology problems like salination (which I was then able to observe and understand during our drive to Kalgoorlie and Esperance a few days later), lack of water, extinction of native animal species because of pollution, traffic and forest clearing, the introduction of feral animals.
All these aspects together are presented and explained in a general overview that shows the complexity of the sensitive ecosystem. Computer touchscreens allow venturing for further information to your liking.

western australian museum provided very useful informations about men of nature in western australia in particularly and about australia continent in general.

one of the most interesting section is hellenic gallery where we can learn about katta djinoong, the noongar or nyungah from aboriginal tribes who became first people in western australia.

advice donation: AUD2

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The Perth Art precinct also known as perth cultural centre is a cluster of museums, gallerys, and a the main WA library. The Western Australia Museum, is one of the biggest museum in WA, its a good place to give a brief understanding of WA's history.B esides WA museum, this area also have 2 galleries, the main one is the WA Art Galery and PICA ( Perth Insitute of Contemporary Art). Its a nice place to go, to feel the cultural vibe of the area. During the weekend they usually have a small market, selling secondhanded books, hand made jewellery and foods. What i like the best about this precinct is, that after you enjoy all the cultural and arty fatty side, you can just relax in the green lawn and listened to a street performance who played numbers of smooth jazz with saxophone beautifuly

This is a Muscat grapevine which is thought to have been planted in the late 1850’s. It is likely to be one of the oldest in Western Australia. There is an old photo next to the grapevine on the wall of the Old Gaol which clearly shows the grapevine as it was then in 1890.

The construction of the old Perth Gaol took from 1854 to1956. The original plans were for a cruciform plan, two floor levels and a partial basement. However the end result was reduced to just a cell range, chapel and gaolers quarters and yards.
Admission is free.

In the courtyard beside the old gaol are two meteorites which were found by Mr A.J. Carlisle in the Nullarbor Plain just 630km east of Kalgoorlie. They weigh 840kg and 800kg respectively. There is a similar one (although 11 tonne) Mundrabilla iron meteorite on display in the Francis St foyer of the museum.

There is a Museum Shop which is in the old gaol building. The shop specialises in natural and social science titles for all ages. They have one of the largest selections of Aboriginal titles in WA as well. They will order any book for you as well. There are also gift items as well. Next to the Museum Shop is the Museum café.

Open daily. Weekdays 10.00am – 4.45pm, Weekends 11.00am – 4.45pm. Closed public holidays.