Perth museum exhibitions opening this month: from Ancient Rome and Noongar hunting grounds to antique Video Games

If you’re hungry for a culture fix, you’ll be glad to hear several of Perth’s best museums are re-opening this month with some fascinating exhibitions ready to go. [gallery columns="2" size="full" ids="https://media.localista.com.au/2020/06/roman-2.jpeg|,https://media.localista.com.au/2020/06/roman.jpeg|"]

Ancient Rome: Epic Innovators & Engineers - WA Maritime Museum

Back open with Ancient Rome: Epic Innovators and Engineers, head down to the WA Maritime Museum in Fremantle and be transported back more than 2,000 years to one of the most technologically significant eras of modern civilisation. Through carefully reconstructed replicas of machinery and technology used during the Roman Empire, it tracks Julius Caesar’s victory over the Gauls in 52BC, following the transformation of the Roman Republic (509BC – 27BC) into the mighty Roman Empire (27BC – AD476). Well suited to primary aged children, it makes for a fun and educational day out for the whole family. Specialised for people living with dementia and their carers, The Objects and Memories tour is also available for storytelling to evoke memory through objects. If you’re missing being at the cinema, the Maritime Museum is also running screenings of Horrible Histories: The Movie-Rotten Romans from the 4th-11th of July, with bookings essential. Further details: Open 9:30am – 5:00pm, 7 days. Victoria Quay, Peter Hughes Dr, Fremantle Book on their website

Four Free-Entry Tours at WA Shipwrecks Museum

Home to the original timbers of the Batavia as well as hundreds of relics from ships wrecked along the coastline of Western Australia, the WA Shipwrecks Museum is ready and waiting for you to head down and experience one of their free guided tours of their permanent exhibitions. If you’re after a walkthrough of the museum’s most iconic pieces, check out the Highlights Tour. Also available are the Commissariat Tour, allowing a unique look at WA’s first convict-built public building and it’s historical features, and the Our Shared Stories Tour, an exploration of interactions between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people during the Dutch exploration of the 1800s. The Objects and Memories tour featured at the WA Maritime Museum is also available for those affected by dementia. Further details: The Museum is open from 9.30am – 5pm everyday 45 Cliff St, Fremantle Check out their website for bookings and individual tour times.

Gnarla Boodja Mili Mili - Museum of Perth

Set to re-open before the end of June, look out for The Museum of Perth’s new exhibition presented in partnership with ‘Aboriginal History Western Australia’, Gnarla Boodja Mili Mili (Our Story on Paper). The exhibition uses colonial and government records combined with cultural knowledge of the Noongar-Whadjuk people to celebrate 31 important named-sites such throughout the central Perth city area. Discover sites such as popular camping (kalla) and hunting grounds, natural landmarks, and sacred places known to Noongar people as they moved amongst the lakes, coastal plain and hills of the Perth region, following the six Noongar seasons.

"Byeyerup": The high ground that follows the line of Hay Street from Parliament house to East Perth. Image courtesy State Library of Western Australia.

An independent museum run by volunteers, The Museum of Perth is located at the Atlas Building overlooking The Esplanade. Look out for opening updates on their website, and check out some of their online exhibitions such as Murder on the Swan, a history of crimes committed on the river, and Demolished Icons, capturing some of Perth’s architectural gems before they were demolished. Further details: 8-10 The Esplanade, Perth

Video Game Console Museum - Nostalgia Box

Having relocated to a larger venue, Nostalgia Box, the only video game console museum in Australia, are reopening to the public from June 19. They are offering a range of brand new gaming experiences including a ‘shooting gallery’ where all gun related games can be played, as well as a museum interaction area with access to older games that were previously not offered for play. Nostalgia Box offer a display of over 100 different game consoles ranging from the 1970s up to the 2000s, making it the perfect spot to revisit the entertainment of your childhood and please any gaming fanatic. Further details: Open 11am-4pm Thursday- Sunday 3/16 Aberdeen St, Perth WA Check out their website here

Perth Observatory

The Perth Observatory is WA’s oldest observatory, and is home to the first digital camera ever built in WA. At their onsite museum, you can have a look at the pages of the first Star Atlas ever printed, the Atlas Coelestis. It’s one of only 10 left in the world, printed in 1729 from the work of John Flamsteed, the First Astronomer Royal at the Greenwich Observatory. The atlas pre-dates Cook’s exploration of Australia’s east coast. Alternatively, you can book in for a tour of the night sky running Fridays – Sundays. This year, the Observatory are offering the chance for you to enjoy a winter night tour complete with cosmic sights that cannot be seen during summer. Book a tour on their website and experience an exploration of the stars along with a hot chocolate to end the night. If you’re in more adventurous spirits, the Observatory are collaborating with Spacechameleon Adventure Co. for an abseiling and telescopes night on the 4th of July. Further details: The Museum is open from 10am – 4.30pm Mondays through Fridays, with entry by gold-coin donation. 337 Walnut Rd, Bickley

Transmission - Wireless Hill Museum

Whether you’re a radio fanatic or simply looking for a day out with the family, Wireless Hill Museum is back open with a brand new exhibition. Check out Transmission, a celebration of the story of the ‘Very High Frequency’ amateur radio club of WA. The museum is located within the Wireless Station; one of Australia’s first links into radio technology and telecommunications during World War One and World War Two. Since the museum is located in Wireless Hill Park, be sure to enjoy a picnic or BBQ amongst the native wildflowers whilst you’re there. Further details: Open Wednesday-Friday 10am-2pm and Sunday 12pm-4pm. Telefunken Drive, Ardross Information about the museum and the exhibition can be found here

Chamber of Secrets - The Court House Law Museum

Perth’s first constructed court building is working hard towards opening at the end of this month. Waiting on the other side is a new temporary exhibition Chamber of Secrets: The unseen collection of the Old Court House Law Museum. This exhibition allows you to see the old wigs, as well as notes from a real-life murder trial. You can test your historical sleuthing skills using their archives. Whilst eagerly awaiting the launch of this exhibit, head to their website to check out their online resources and ‘Museum at Home’ experience; including some of their most popular recent museum activities. Part of their online resources include free downloadable activities for children 5 - 13yrs which can be downloaded here  Further details: Open from 10am- 4pm, Tuesday to Friday Stirling Gardens, corner of Barrack Street and St Georges Terrace, Perth

Explore Perth's Top Museums

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