OceanXperience at WA Museum Boola Bardip

If you’ve got kids who love the ocean, animals, or anything interactive, OceanXperience at WA Museum Boola Bardip is one of those exhibitions that’s easy to spend a good chunk of the day exploring. Running from 4 April to 11 October 2026, this immersive, hands-on experience takes you behind the scenes of real ocean research, and it’s far more “do and explore” than “look and read.”

From the moment you walk in, it feels like you’ve stepped onto a working research vessel. The exhibition is designed around the OceanXplorer ship, with different zones representing areas like Mission Control, labs, and deployment spaces. It’s not set up like a traditional museum; instead, you move through the journey of how scientists actually explore the ocean, from spotting marine life to analysing the data they collect.

Kids are given RFID wristbands on entry, and these are a big part of what makes the experience so engaging. They’ll use them throughout the exhibition to activate activities, track progress, and unlock different parts of their chosen mission. It gives the whole visit a sense of purpose, almost like a game, rather than a series of disconnected displays.

At the start, you’ll choose a mission — Humpback Whale, Orca, or Hammerhead Shark — and this shapes the experience as you go. Each one focuses on a different aspect of marine life, from whale communication to shark movement or orca social behaviour. It’s a nice touch, especially if you’re visiting with multiple kids who might want to compare what they’ve discovered.

As you move through the exhibition, there’s a strong mix of physical interaction and digital elements. In the Sub Hangar and Drone Station, kids can try piloting a simulated drone to locate and track animals from above. It’s trickier than it looks and tends to draw a crowd. The Tagging Station is another highlight, where you simulate attaching tracking tags and then see that data feed into your mission.

Mission Control is where everything comes together, with large displays showing collected data, maps, and discoveries linked to your chosen animal. It’s also a great spot to pause and see how your progress is building.

One of the standout spaces is The Bridge, where kids can explore a recreation of the ship’s navigation area, complete with switches, controls, and screens. It’s one of those areas where they can happily spend extra time just pressing buttons and figuring out how everything works.

The Wet Lab and Dry Lab sections shift the focus to what happens after the data is collected. Here, you’ll find microscope-style interfaces, holographic displays, and interactive stations that show how scientists study samples and uncover new information. The holograms are especially engaging, making it easier for kids to visualise animal behaviour that would normally be impossible to see up close.

There are also a few creative and quieter moments mixed in. Designing your own submersible and watching it appear in a shared digital ocean is a fun break from the more structured tasks, and the cinema space offers a chance to sit down and watch real expedition footage if everyone needs a breather.

If you’re keen to add a little more, the HoloLab experience is available at the end for an extra $5. This short, guided session uses mixed-reality headsets to bring marine science to life in a different way. It runs for about 10–15 minutes and is first come, first served, so it’s worth timing your visit if it’s something you don’t want to miss.

During the April school holidays (4–19 April), there’s also an Ocean Explorers Activity Zone running daily from 10am to 3pm, with extra hands-on activities for younger kids.

Outside the museum, Illuminate: Oceans adds another layer to the experience. From sunset each evening, the exterior of Boola Bardip lights up with large-scale ocean projections and sound. It’s completely free and a great option if you want to extend your visit into the evening.

For something a bit different, there’s also the Dive Bar after-hours sessions on selected Friday nights. These are adults-only (18+) and offer a chance to explore the exhibition in a more relaxed setting with drinks and music.

In terms of timing, most families will spend around 60 to 90 minutes moving through the exhibition, but you could easily stretch that out if kids want to revisit activities or spend longer in certain zones. It’s best suited to primary school-aged kids and up, though younger ones will still enjoy parts of it with a bit of help.

OceanXperience is a great mix of education and play, with enough interactivity to keep kids engaged the whole way through. If your family enjoys science, animals, or hands-on experiences, it’s well worth adding to your list while it’s in Perth.

OceanXperience — WA Museum Boola Bardip

Perth Cultural Centre, Perth WA 6000

Opening hours: 9:30am – 5:00pm daily (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day; adjusted hours on ANZAC Day)

Website: https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/boolabardip/oceanxperience