What is WA Museum Boola Bardip?
WA Museum Boola Bardip is the Western Australian Museum's main site in the Perth Cultural Centre, reopened in 2020 after a major redevelopment. Its name means many stories in the Noongar language.
The redeveloped museum combines new architecture with restored heritage buildings, including the old Perth Gaol, built in the 1850s, and the Hackett Hall library building.
Galleries explore Western Australia's natural world, Aboriginal cultures, history, science and connections to the wider world. The museum worked with Aboriginal communities across the state to tell their stories.
Otto the blue whale
A highlight is Otto, the skeleton of a blue whale, suspended in the museum's main hall. The whale was found stranded near Albany in 1898.
The museum also displays meteorites, as Western Australia's deserts are among the world's best places to find them, along with fossils, minerals and cultural objects.
Entry to the permanent galleries is free, with charges for some special exhibitions. The museum's design opens onto the Perth Cultural Centre, linking it with the Art Gallery of Western Australia and the State Library.
Did You Know?
The Western Australian Museum also runs maritime museums in Fremantle and regional museums in Albany, Geraldton and Kalgoorlie.