WA Maritime Museum

Well, the thing that stands out with this museum is the huge submarine that happens to be next to it. Actually, you can even go inside, though of course that has a lot to do with there being tours arranged, so you need to be there at the right time. However, it is a pretty cool museum in an of itself, containing quite a few things that are particular to Western Australia, such as the Australia II yacht, which is famous for being the yacht that actually was the first non-American yacht to win the America's cup. Yet, it is the submarine that I have to admit is pretty awesome.

I had a really great time at the Maritime Museum and managed to get a spot at the 11AM HMAS Ovens tour.

Richard was our tour guide for the HMAS Ovens and we went inside the Submarine with 5 other people today. The tour lasted for about one hour and 15 minutes but definitely not recommended if you're claustrophobic. The Submarine was about 89m long, the second biggest submarine and part of the Oberon class. It was so amazing to see how the museum managed to maintain the interior really well.

We learnt a lot about different size of mast, torpedos, the life of Submariners, radars and different machineries. Richard was really knowledgeable and able to answered some questions asked by the tour members.

Afterwards we visited the Da Vinci exhibition and fascinated by how genius the man was! Not only a painter, he was also a visionary who created many different inventions inspired by nature. A lot of his principles are still used in today's era.

They put the copy of Da Vinci's codices on display and his drawings next to the scaled models. We purchased a mini scaled model (build it yourself model) of the Da Vinci's removable bridge for one of our engineers friend and he was really happy with it.

The rest of our time was spent at the Maritime Museum where we learnt more about the different sizes of submarines and how sophisticated it was created even in 1940s. We also saw different weapons, trading information and the preserved 5.2m long male Megamouth shark!

In the future, items inside the WA maritime museum will be scattered throughout Perth. Some will make it to the new museum which will be finished in four years time but unfortunately some items will only be stored at a warehouse I'm Welshpool area.

If you're interested in the HMAS Ovens and the Maritime Museum, it'd be better to purchase the joint ticket for $16 per person (save $4!).

Went to freo for breakfast but was curious about the maritime museum. One thing led to another and next I knew, I was being guided within the HMAS Ovens (a submarine used in the second world war).

The tour was very interesting and it's refreshing to get a grip on such a different time. Also checked out the Leonardo Da Vinci exhibition showcasing his amazing and inspiring inventions.

All the staff were very friendly and my wife and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring and learning at the Fremantle maritime museum.

The outside of this museum is so inviting. You can see it from any bridge in Freo and from the incoming train which is a very tricky piece of marketing.
The outside area has the very interesting immigrant welcome walls with a history of immigration in Fremantle. I was a little disappointed that this wasn't embelished upon inside as seen as immigration had such a major impact on the maritime history of the area but maybe that's for another museum.
Indoors, there are colossal displays of boats both new and old including some record winning sailships.
There is also a freaky display with one of the worlds rarest sharks in the centre of the ground floor. One of the rare times that you can stare down the nose of such a large predator.
You can do the submarine your at an additional cost which I did not do but I am sure it is just as interesting.

This museum is so grandiose and spectacular it actually enticed me to go in, which is quite a feat. I'm not a fan of history per se. I don't mind piecing together pieces of history to form an argument or put forward a particular point. But as far as looking at old boats, weaponry and other things behind glass, I usually find it quite yawn worthy.

I thought the Maritime museum might be full of obnoxious, self proclaimed history buffs. You know the kind I mean? They have minimal understanding of the depth of any situation yet proclaim they're knowledgeable and educated because they've visited every war memorial in WA. God. Who cares? Anyway, I digress.

The museum did entice me in but I didn't stay in its lures for long. It apparently explores WA's relationship with the sea and affinity with the ocean. I thought the museum could have been made much more interesting.

There were leisure boats, hand crafted boats, bigger boats and naval defense boats. Different varieties of imports and exports were displayed here, and I couldn't help but yawn.

This museum could at least showcase some displays about WA's current fun relationship with the ocean - some pics of kids enjoying our lovely blue waters would have inspired me more than old navy submarines.

I won't be so easily lured to the next Maritime Museum I see. I've given this one three stars because I'm aware I'm not a fan of museums in general. This one's probably okay, as far as maritime museums go.

Amazing historical museum detailing shipwrecks off the coast of Western Australia. Many artifacts to view as well as touch and become part of history. Museum is free although a donation is graciously accepted. A must see when visiting Fremantle.

I really enjoyed my visit on Maritime Day. The building itself is a beautiful design (almost like an upside down hull). The museum takes you through the history of Fremantle and all of it's uses. The only thing that wasn't great was that you can't climb up stairs to the third floor from the second! You have to go back down to floor level and then go up a separate side. Other than that, a nice way to learn something new!

I am very interested in history, which is why I particularly like museums and galleries. Thus, I think this place is extremely interesting.

I don't have a lot to say on the topic only a quick tid bit.

When I was ten and was told that we had to go to the maritime museum for Perth I was scared and the night before I told my mum I was sick and didn't want to go because I thought if I went there I would be captured by pirates.

The Da Vinci traveling exhibition was excellent and full of interesting information however the main exhibition wasn't worth the $20 per adult entry fee. It's a small site and unfortunately does not hold enough exhibits to warrant the fee. The building itself seemed jaded. This museum needs an overhaul!

The Maritime Museum in Fremantle is an amazing building, sitting on the edge of the Indian Ocean. To just stand outside the front of the museum to view the building, you realise what a great structure it is.

Before you enter the maritime museum, take a look at the welcome wall. Here is listed names of people who arrived at Fremantle over the years by ship.

Once inside the museum, you can visit the different displays, which include the history of Fremantle port, cargo, fishing, naval defence or as a real treat, you can even go on a tour of the HMAS Ovens. The Australia II is also on display in the museum.

The tour of the Ovens is not recommended for little kids or people who do not enjoy confined spaces. It is a wonderful tour though, and makes you realise that the old movies and tv shows which depicted the interiors of subs as being spacious and comfortable were all so wrong. Once onboard, you will not believe how cramped the interior is. To think that adults had to live and work on board! I won't even mention how small the beds are!

The museum is fascinating and there is a lot of written information offered. The guides really know their maritime history.

The museum also offers a gift shop and a cafe. The gift shop offers some fabulous books and other related maritime gifts. The cafe offers hot meals and drinks.

Once you have finished visiting the museum, you can stroll over to the E Sheds or perhaps take a walk to the Shipwreck Galleries.