More than 130,000 people have visited the Western Australian Museum’s Dinosaur Discovery: Lost Creatures of the Cretaceous exhibition in Perth, making it the most popular display ever held at the Museum, exceeding the previous record of over 113,000 set by A Day in Pompeii, held at the Museum in 2010.

Western Australian Museum CEO Alec Coles today announced that due to strong demand the exhibition would remain open for an extra three weeks, until 24 August.  Dinosaur Discovery and the popular Cretaceous Pop-Up Bar will also continue to open on Friday nights from 1 August until the end of the season.

“This exhibition has thrilled a variety of audiences and age groups who have been interacting with the 20 lifelike models of creatures that lived 145-66 million years ago, in an era that boasted the most diverse range of dinosaurs,” Mr Coles said. 

“Visitors have loved the specially-designed smart phone app which brings the exhibition to life, and gets people up close and personal with the dinosaurs.  There has also been a great 3D interactive augmented reality program on the big screen in the Perth Cultural Centre, with dinosaurs pursuing visitors to the amphitheatre in the James Street Mall.”

“The three-week-long extension gives people until Sunday 24 August to enjoy this truly unique cultural experience, which was specially created by the WA Museum, and for which there has been interest from museums within Australia and internationally.”

Until 24 August, people buying a ticket to visit Dinosaur Discovery during its final weeks will be able to purchase a joint ticket which will give them half-price entry to Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul exhibition, opening at the Museum on 26 July.

Tickets for Dinosaur Discovery and Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures will shortly be available online at http://museum.wa.gov.au and from the Museum Ticket office.

Jane Rosevear
Media and Communications Officer
Western Australian Museum
(08) 6552 7805
jane.rosevear@museum.wa.gov.au