Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Various boats are on display, including Australia II, the famous winged-keel yacht that
won the America's Cup yachting race in 1983 (ending 132 years of American domination
of the competition - an achievement which is the source of much Sandgroper pride). Oth-
er boats on show include an Aboriginal bark canoe; an Indonesian outrigger canoe, intro-
duced to the Kimberley and used by the Indigenous people; and a pearl lugger used in
Broome. Even a classic 1970s panel van (complete with fur lining) makes the cut - be-
cause of its status as the surfer's vehicle of choice.
Well-presented displays cover a wide range of topics, from Aboriginal fish traps to the
sandalwood trade. If you're not claustrophobic, take an hour-long tour of the submarine
HMAS
Ovens
. The vessel was part of the Australian Navy's fleet from 1969 to 1997.
Tours leave every half-hour from 10am to 3.30pm.
Western Australian Museum - Shipwreck Galleries
OFFLINE MAP
MUSEUM
GOOGLE MAP
(
www.museum.wa.gov.au
;
Cliff St; admission by donation; 9.30am-5pm)
F
Housed in an 1852 commis-
sariat store, the Shipwreck Galleries is considered the finest display of maritime archae-
ology in the southern hemisphere. The highlight of the display is the
Batavia Gallery
,
where a section of the hull of Dutch merchant ship
Batavia,
wrecked in 1629, is dis-
played. Nearby is a large stone gate, intended as an entrance to Batavia Castle, which was
being carried when it sank.
Other items of interest include the inscribed pewter plate left on Cape Inscription by
Willem de Vlamingh in 1697, positioned next to a replica of the plate left by Dirk Hartog
in 1616 during the first confirmed European landing in WA.
Round House
( 08-9336 6897;
www.fremantleroundhouse.com.au
; admission by donation; 10.30am-3.30pm)
F
Com-
menced in 1830 and 1831, shortly after the founding of the colony, this odd 12-sided stone
prison is the oldest surviving building in WA. It was the site of the colony's first hangings,
including that of 15-year-old John Gavin (convicted of murdering his employer's son).
Later, it was used for holding Aboriginal people before they were taken to Rottnest Island.
To the Noongar people, it's a sacred site because of the number of their people killed
while incarcerated here. Freedom fighter Yagan was held here briefly in 1832.
HISTORIC BUILDING
