WA Museum Boola Bardip is a world-class museum in the heart of the Perth Cultural Centre, and an easy favourite for families. Its name means “many stories” in Whadjuk Nyoongar language, and that’s exactly what you’ll find inside – stories of Western Australia’s people, landscapes, animals, cultures and connections with the rest of the world.
Housed within a stunning blend of restored heritage buildings and bold modern architecture, the museum is as impressive to look at as it is to explore.
Inside, the experience is designed to be genuinely engaging for all ages. Families can wander freely or use the museum’s digital guides and apps to help navigate the exhibitions. A good tip is to start from the upper levels and work your way down, giving kids a sense of progression as you move between galleries. The permanent exhibitions are grouped around three big themes – Being Western Australian, Discovering Western Australia and Exploring the World – and each space weaves in hands-on elements, multimedia and real objects that invite kids to touch, listen, look closely and ask questions.
The Wild Life gallery is a guaranteed hit with animal lovers, showcasing WA’s incredible biodiversity with fossils, specimens and even some live creatures. Former fans of the old Discovery Centre will be pleased to see its spirit lives on in the interactive discovery drawers and tactile displays.
Origins and Connections spark curiosity about Earth, space, time and how Western Australians are linked to the wider world.
While Changes invites older children and teens to think about how human choices have shaped the environment and society, and what that means for our future.
Reflections and Innovations are particularly engaging for families who enjoy social history and technology.
Kids love spotting “old fashioned” items from their parents’ and grandparents’ childhoods – think Game Boys, Discmans and retro computers – and comparing them with the tech they use today.
Interactive stations encourage visitors to share their own ideas and experiences, making the museum feel alive and personal rather than just something to look at behind glass.
A strong, thoughtful thread throughout WA Museum Boola Bardip is the presence and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The Ngalang Koort Boodja Wirn exhibition shares stories from Aboriginal communities across Western Australia, highlighting culture, resilience and ongoing connection to Country. Families can expect to see and hear First Nations voices across the building, not just in one dedicated gallery, which opens up natural conversations with kids about history, identity and fairness.
One of the most spectacular spaces is Stan Perron WA Treasures in historic Hackett Hall, where significant objects from collections around the state are displayed under soaring heritage ceilings. Suspended above is Otto, the enormous blue whale skeleton, which is worth the visit alone. Younger visitors usually stop in their tracks when they first see it and spend ages circling around, taking in the scale from different angles.
The museum is well set up for a full family day in the city. Epoch café, on the ground floor facing Beaufort Street, serves coffee, snacks, meals and a seasonal menu featuring local produce, which is handy for lunch or a pick-me-up between galleries. There are parenting rooms, privacy pods for feeding, accessible toilets on every level, baby change facilities and loan wheelchairs and walking aids available from the information desk. The building is fully accessible with multiple lifts, and there are quiet spaces and specialised resources created with the Autism Association of WA, plus “Quiet Hour” sessions for visitors with sensory needs.
Location-wise, WA Museum Boola Bardip couldn’t be easier to reach by public transport. It sits in the Perth Cultural Centre, a short walk from Perth Train Station and major bus routes along Beaufort Street. There are several nearby car parks, and bike racks are dotted around the precinct. Once you’ve finished exploring the museum, you’re right by the Art Gallery of WA, the State Library, the Cultural Centre Playspace and the rest of Northbridge, making it easy to turn your visit into a bigger day out.
General admission is free for children 15 and under, making it a very budget-friendly outing for families. Adults pay a modest entry fee, and membership options are available if you plan to visit regularly. On top of the permanent galleries, there is always a changing line-up of special exhibitions, school holiday programs, Little Learners preschooler program, cultural performances like Nyumbi, and family-friendly trails and activities that keep each visit feeling fresh.
With its mix of interactive exhibits, powerful stories, striking design and strong focus on inclusion, WA Museum Boola Bardip is somewhere you can visit again and again as your children grow. There’s always something new to discover or see through different eyes, and it’s an easy go-to for hot days, rainy days and school holidays alike.
WA Museum Boola Bardip
Address: Perth Cultural Centre, Perth / Boorloo WA 6000, Australia
Opening hours: Daily, 9.30am – 5pm
Public holidays: Closed Good Friday and Christmas Day; open 1pm – 5pm on Anzac Day; open 9.30am – 5pm on other public holidays (including Boxing Day and New Year’s Day).
Official website: https://visit.museum.wa.gov.au/boolabardip
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Jennie McNichol is on a mission to prove there is always something fun to do in Perth. After 11 years in London working in the television industry for the BBC, Jennie moved to Perth in 2010 and founded Buggybuddys to silence the “nothing to do” crowd. Fifteen years later, it is the city’s number one guide for families, packed with daily inspiration and a huge focus on free local activities.
As a mum of two daughters, Jennie has evolved the site right alongside her own family—growing from a toddler-focused resource into a guide that supports parents through every stage, from the early years through to the teens. A passionate advocate for the WA lifestyle, Jennie loves helping families discover the best playgrounds, hidden gems, and budget-friendly days out in the most family-friendly city in the world.
