Two children enjoying activities at the WA Museum

From local wildlife, to shipwreck stowaways, Papuan paradises and Antarctic adventures, there’s something for everyone at the six Western Australian Museum sites these school holidays!

Western Australian Museum – Perth
Perth Cultural Centre, James Street

Love Your Local Wildlife!
Dates:              20 April – 5 May
Times:             Activities between 9:30am – 4:30pm (1pm-4:30pm on ANZAC Day)
Ages:               4+
Cost:                Activities between $0.50 and $4        
Bookings:        Bookings only required for groups of 10 or more on 9427 2792

Wildlife Wonders demonstrations – 11am, 21 - 24, 29 - 30 April and 1 May
Wonders of the Miniscule World talk – 1pm, 28 April and 5 May

Visit the WA Museum – Perth to ‘Love Your Local Wildlife’ (LYLW) and explore the special wonders of our native creatures. Meet our live animal guests for a Wildlife Wonders experience with a variety of ‘featured creature’ sessions, including birds, snakes, lizards, and furry mammals on different days, or meet our clever new puppet friend for a Numbat Chat. You can go wild with crafty critters and make a Furry Fantastic soft animal, design a Night Eyes silver scratchboard, enter the Bugsploration Zone, decorate a LYLW Panorama, or join in the other craft, games and more!  

For the older kids (suitable 8 years and over), join our bug expert Dr Terry Houston as he presents a talk on the creepy and crawly in ‘Wonders of the Miniscule World’.

A large numbat mascot
Love Your Local Wildlife Numbat Chat at the WA Museum - Perth

Kaarla Kaatijin
Dates:   22 April – 3 May (excluding ANZAC Day)    
Times: 10.30am & 12.30pm daily
Ages: 4+
Duration: 50 minutes (no interval)
Cost: $12.50 children, $15 adults, $12.50 adult concession, $48 Family (2 adults, 2 children), Groups $10 per person (20 or more, advance bookings only)
Bookings: Tickets available online at museum.wa.gov.au
Contact: For more information, call Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company on 9202 1966

Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company, in partnership with the Western Australian Museum, presents Kaarla Kaatijin … a traditional dreamtime story re-told in a contemporary way.
Kaarla Kaatijin (which in Noongar means ‘to understand fire’) is the first story in a trilogy of works being created by Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company focusing on Noongar language and culture.
The story follows the plight of the birds and animals of the land suffering an endless, icy winter. Together they undertake a dangerous and brave mission to catch ‘Kaarla’ (fire) and bring it back to warm the land once more. Rich in storytelling and beautifully written characters, Kaarla Kaatijin builds on Yirra Yaakin’s excellent reputation for high quality Indigenous theatre for young people. This enchanting Western Australian story celebrates local culture and heritage in a refreshingly youthful and vibrant way.

Written by Zac James - Directed by Kyle J Morrison - Designed by Matt McVeigh - Music by Joe Lui - Featuring Amy Smith, Ian Wilkes and Shakara Walley

Actors from a Yirra Yaakin posing for a photograph
Yirra Yaakin Theatre Company's 'Kaarla Kaatijin' at the WA Museum – Perth from April 22

Western Australian Museum – Maritime
Victoria Quay, Fremantle

Explorers Afloat
Dates: 22 April – 3 May (excluding ANZAC Day)
Times: Activities between 10:00am – 2:00pm
Ages: 4+
Cost: Museum Entry: $3 Child entry, $10 Adult or $5 Concession entry, activities range from free - $4
Bookings: Only required for groups of 10 or more on 9431 8455

Come explore the wild wonders of the sea, sails and birds this April at the WA Maritime Museum!

Construct and decorate your own Explorers Afloat-Boat with cool recycled materials, or go plastic fantastic with our Sailboat Shrinkies by decorating your own key ring tag design for you to magically shrink at home. Come ‘Love Your Local Wildlife’ on our Feathered Fridays with a native bird wildlife demonstration from Raptor Presentations, or decorate your own Love Your Local Wildlife Panorama. You can also explore our free extreme adventure trail, or relax in the Games Chill Zone with free games to keep you playing.

A child playing with an exhibition display at the WA Museum
Explorers afloat at the WA Maritime Museum

Western Australian Museum – Shipwreck Galleries
Cliff Street, Fremantle

Stowaway!
Dates: 22 April – 3 May (excluding ANZAC Day)
Times: Activities between 10:00am – 2:00pm
Ages: 4 +
Cost: $2 per activity, of 3 for $5, $0.50 for Love Your Local Wildlife Panorama
Bookings:  Only required for groups of ten or more on 9431 8455

Come and follow the Stowaway activity trail as you sail to exotic ports, find all of the mysterious ships’ cargo and locate a hidden passenger. Decorate your own cargo ship before you ‘Raise the Flag’ by designing and constructing your own flag, transform a Stowaway to Sailor as you dress up your own runaway in grand seafaring style, or decorate your own Love Your Local Wildlife Panorama. Are you ready to play the Great Trade Race game, and hoist the colours, Cap’n? Climb aboard; we’re setting sail for Shipwreck Galleries!

Western Australian Museum – Geraldton
Museum Place, Batavia Coast Marina, Geraldton

Wild Antarctica!
Dates: 20 March – 26 May
Times: 9:30am – 4:00pm
Ages: All ages
Cost: Free
Bookings: Not required

Enjoy the ultimate in cool these school holidays at the WA Museum - Geraldton! Come frolic with penguins, migrating whales and icy tales, and enjoy the many activities and workshops on offer. With different $5 activities each day, and $3 trails jam-packed with Antarctic discoveries throughout the school holidays, there’s plenty of cool stuff to do. Don't forget to explore the free Traversing Antarctica: The Australian Experience exhibition to get your fill of frozen facts!

A flock of penguins resting on an iceberg
Adelie penguins near Davis Station. Photographer F. Olivier, Australian Antarctic Division

Western Australian Museum – Albany
Residency Road, Albany

Papuan Paradise
Dates: 20 April - 6 May
Times: 10:00am - 4.30pm daily (1:00pm – 4:30pm on ANZAC Day)
Ages: 4 – 14 years, with a ‘junior corner’ for 1 – 4 years
Cost: Range from $2 - $5
Bookings: Required for guided workshops on 9841 4844

Join us as we explore the mysterious island of Papua New Guinea at the Western Australian Museum – Albany these school holidays! There’s plenty to do, with different activities for each day of the week, and guided discovery workshops twice daily.

Visit our own traditional Papuan highland village, look out for the crocodiles, and make your own waving Wuna headdress. Become a mud man, a rainforest warrior with amazing face masks, shields and drums, or create your own quirky mini Dukduk sculpture. Join us for some Papuan weaving sessions or help to create a rainforest paradise by adding your own beautiful Bird of Paradise. Guided discovery workshops will begin daily at 10.30am and 1.30pm. (Excluding ANZAC Day)

A child holding a wooden shield
Discover the mysterious island of Papua New Guinea at the WA Museum - Albany

Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder
17 Hannan Street, Kalgoorlie

Love Your Local Wildlife!
Dates: 20 April – 5 May
Times: 10:00am to 4:40pm (Story time at 10:15am daily)
Ages: 3+. Story time suitable for bubs to 7 years
Cost: Free - $3
Bookings: Recommended on 9021 8533

Do you know which creatures you might find exploring the local Kalgoorlie bushland? Do you know what these wonderful creatures eat and where they live? Let’s explore the Great Western Woodlands and find out at the WA Museum – Kalgoorlie-Boulder these school holidays!

Three stuffed toys arranged in a garden
Get to know your local wildlife at the WA Museum - Kalgoorlie-Boulder

Programs are subject to availability. All children 12 years and under must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Photo opportunities available
Media Contact:
Niki Comparti, Western Australian Museum
6552 7805, niki.comparti@museum.wa.gov.au