Army Museum of Western Australia — Attraction in Fremantle

The Army Museum of WA was established in 1977 and was originally located in the nineteenth Century building “Dilhorn” situated in Bulwer Street, Perth, which had been in use by the Army since 1952. This heritage listed building was subsequently sold privately by Department of Defence in 2001.

The museum was relocated to the Artillery Barracks site in Burt Street Fremantle in 1995. This entire precinct has been heritage listed with several of the buildings having historical significance. The initial aim was to open a new gallery every year leading up to 2001, the year of the centenary of federation and the forming of the Australian Commonwealth Military Forces. Each gallery reflects the Army in Western Australia and Western Australian’s service within the army from the colonial period through to the present day.

The museum currently has five established galleries and a static display of vehicles and other military hardware located on the parade ground and in adjacent buildings. In addition to the public displays of army memorabilia and artefacts a wide range of photographs, letters, general correspondence and other items of significance to Western Australian army history are also held by the museum.

In 2000 the Army Museum of WA was faced with the prospect of having to be relocated once again due to plans for the Artillery Barracks site at Burt Street being sold off by the Federal Government. A successful “Save the Barracks” campaign was initiated to gain support for the retention of the barracks site as a heritage precinct remaining in Public ownership and for the museum to remain at this site. After lengthy negotiations the Commonwealth Government has agreed that the Museum can remain at the Barracks under special licensing arrangements.

Currently the museum is supported by 3 part-time Army personnel, around 120 active volunteers, and 60 financial...

The Fremantle Army Museum proved to be an absolutely amazing experience, far exceeding my expectations in terms of both content and sheer size. It is significantly larger than one might anticipate, packed with an incredible amount to see and absorb. A standout feature was the abundance of genuinely friendly staff members, all of whom were incredibly knowledgeable and eager to explain various exhibits and historical contexts. Their passion for the museum's collection truly enhanced the visit.

Adding a unique dimension to the experience, this museum is still situated on an active army base. This meant we had the privilege of encountering military personnel on site, who were remarkably approachable. They even took the time to chat with us, offering fascinating insights into the equipment. A memorable moment involved trying on the military backpacks and experiencing their surprising weight firsthand, with the soldiers providing real-world context.

The museum boasts a wealth of interactive and hands-on exhibits, which make the history truly come alive. This engagement is crucial for a deeper understanding of the artifacts and stories presented. The mannequins, while sometimes a little unnerving, add an amusing and sometimes slightly scary element to the displays, effectively illustrating different periods and scenarios. A sincere thank you goes out to everyone we spoke with during our visit; their contributions made it a truly great and...

The Army Museum is the best kept secret in WA. I never knew it existed until about 10 days ago. I visited last Sunday and spent a good couple of hours there. There is so much to look at I don't think I saw everything. I don't ever remember seeing this place advertised or publicised for all the years I lived in WA. Every conflict and war that Australia has ever been involved in is covered. I loved all the historical items and artifacts including the collection of armoured vehicles which brought back memories of my Army Reserve days. There are uniforms for children to try on and other interactive displays. I found the lovely volunteer staff to be both knowledgeable and helpful. I couldn't help wondering why I did not know of the museum's existence and from all my enquiries it would appear that a lack of funding and sponsorship may have something to do with it. I had a wonderful time which was enjoyable, emotional and educational. I thoroughly recommend a visit. Allow yourself at least two hours. I visited on a Sunday, parking is on street only but no trouble. Toilets are clean and plenty of them....