About the exhibition

The Western Australia Museum and the British Museum have partnered to bring a unique collection of rare artefacts to Australia for the first time, to celebrate the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in October 2011.

The exhibition will be filled with some of the British Museum’s most important objects, rarely lent to other museums, representing many of the 54 Commonwealth countries. Individually and collectively they tell extraordinary stories about the world's people, who we are and where we've come from – taking visitors on a 1.8 million year journey around the world.

Extraordinary Stories from the British Museum showcases some of the first ever developed man-made tools, seminal developments in art and design, as well as remarkable contemporary items that share the unique stories of people living throughout the Commonwealth. Featured objects include the Throne of Weapons, the Nigerian Ife Head and a queen from the Lewis chess sets. The exhibition is also augmented with a range of amazing objects from the WA Museum including 32,000 year-old shell beads from the Kimberley region and a mixed media, multilayered interpretive sculpture of a helicopter constructed from found materials, including empty beers cans.

Getting to the Museum

The Western Australian Museum – Perth is located in the Perth Cultural Centre in James Street. Ticketed street parking is available on Francis Street and in the City of Perth car parks underneath the State Library of WA and the Art Gallery of WA. The Museum is a short walk from the Perth Train Station and Wellington Street Bus Station.

Admission

Admission to Extraordinary Stories from the British Museum is free.

Access

Wheelchair access, parking, lifts, toilets and courtesy wheelchairs are available. Please see our staff for assistance with our access lifts. Prams will be permitted into the exhibition space. Food and drinks are not allowed in the exhibitions.

Photography

Photography and filming of Extraordinary Stories from the British Museum is allowed for phones and small cameras. Commercial photography, professional-grade cameras and tripods are not allowed.

Western Australian Museum Shop

Visit the Museum Shop for an extensive range of unique Extraordinary Stories from the British Museum gifts, souvenirs, books and toys.