Overview
- Features: Maritime museum with good exhibits on local history with a particular emphasis on local shipwrecks
- Opening Times: 9:30am to 3:30pm daily, closed public holidays
- Best Time to Visit: Any time
- Duration: 1 to 2 hours
- Travelled By: Rental car
- Cost: Free; suggested donation $5
- Address: Geraldton, Western Australia
- Type: Museum
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Summary
The Western Australian Museum at Geraldton is a treasure trove for marine and shipwreck enthusiasts. At the long term exhibitions, you can learn about the four local shipwrecks, including the famous Batavia shipwreck as well as the discovery of the HMAS Sydney II shipwreck. Various artefacts such as coins, cannons and other relics are on display at the Museum.
Western Australian Museum Geraldton
The HMAS Sydney II Museum is a treasure trove for maritime enthusiasts. If you want to read about tragic stories and see the relics of past shipwrecks, this is the place to visit.
Of interest to us at the Geraldton Museum were the two long term exhibitions – Shipwrecks Gallery and HMAS Sydney II – Pride of the Fleet.
Batavia Coast has the highest number of shipwrecks on the west coast of Australia due to the initial lack of lighthouses and its rocky coastline. At the Shipwrecks Gallery, you can go through the stories from four major early shipwrecks located in the region, the Batavia, Gilt Dragon, Zuytdorp, and Zeewijk.
Discover the fascinating maritime history of the State’s midwest, from the famous Batavia mutiny, to lesser known tales such as the inspiring saga of human ingenuity displayed by Zeewijk survivors and the unknown fate of other European shipwreck survivors stranded on Western Australian shores.
Artefacts from the four shipwrecks including clay pipes, silver coins, cannons, the original Batavia stone portico and numerous other relics can be found at the Exhibition.
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The Museum also hosts a large display on the discovery of HMAS Sydney II shipwreck off the coast of Geraldton. HMAS Sydney (II) – Pride of the Fleet is the first formal exhibition to cover all major aspects of one of Australia’s most enduring maritime mysteries.
Pride of the Fleet gives a comprehensive overview of the story of HMAS Sydney II as well as telling some of the stories of the men who were lost and the families they left behind.
The exhibition gives due recognition to the Finding Sydney Foundation, the HMAS Sydney Search team and their work in discovering the battle site and wreck sites for both ships.
Photos taken from the Western Australian Museum – Geraldton website.
