Welcome to WA Museum Boola Bardip, a vibrant arts and culture hub in the heart of Perth CBD (Boorloo). Meaning ‘many stories’ in the traditional Nyoongar language, the museum offers a bold, dynamic setting for Western Australia's fascinating stories, history and culture to unfold through state-of-the-art technology and innovative, interactive exhibits.

Rising majestically above the heritage buildings of Perth’s Cultural Precinct, this architectural marvel – designed by international consortium Hassell and OMA – encompasses 6,000 square metres of gallery space, including a 1,000 square metre large-scale exhibition space. 

Wander the two intersecting loops and feel inspired by the virtual ‘stories’, and collections held across eight permanent exhibitions. Dive in and explore the diversity and spirit of the West Australian people, the awe-inspiring beauty of the state’s landscape, and Western Australia’s impact on the world.

Boola Bardip takes a unique ‘people-first’ approach to its curation, with the stories and perspectives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples taking centre stage in its exhibitions. In doing so, the museum recognises the primary rights of Australia’s First Peoples in practising and expressing their cultural heritage.

Continue the conversation by joining a guided tour, attending an educational event or exploring one of Boola Bardip’s vibrant communal spaces.

Things to do in Perth

Itineraries

  • A Day in Perth

    Personifying laidback charm and urban cool Perth is a city of raw natural beauty. With a day to play in Australia’s sunniest capital, dip into urban parks and wildlife, arts and culture, a variety of shopping options, alleyway bars and fine dining – all under a brilliant blue sky. Just a short hop from the city, Kings Park emerges as a green haven on the banks of the sparkling Swan River. A meeting place thousands of years in the making, it’s now one of the world’s largest urban parks. Walk or cycle the serene trails, find some shade, lay out ...

  • Best of Perth

    Welcoming West Coast vibes meet cool city charm in Perth – a glamorous, sun-kissed metropolis best visited between September and March for a profusion of wildflowers, festivals and long beach days. Tip-toe through the blooms in Kings Park. Bigger than Manhattan’s Central Park, it’s the place to catch panoramic views of the Swan River and city skyline. Shop, sip and grab a bite in downtown laneways and arcades. Catch a theatre show and enjoy a few boisterous drinks in Northbridge. Arty, offbeat Fremantle is only 30 minutes downstream – a raffish port town infused with history and soul. Coffee, ...

  • Best of Perth Beaches

    As the sun kisses the Indian Ocean setting off a blaze of colour, Perth’s beach brigade rolls up their towels to relax – it’s been another fabulous day on the sand. Beach culture is hardwired into Perth’s DNA, with an almost unbroken stretch of photogenic beaches spanning Fremantle to Sorrento and beyond. Take a day to explore the mesmerising shore: you’ll find a patch of sand with your name on it. From central Perth, head to the turquoise waters of Sorrento, next door to the popular family-friendly destination Hillarys Boat Harbour and home to AQWA, the Aquarium of Western Australia. ...

Events

  • Tim Burns – The Kinetic Moments

    The first solo exhibition in a state art gallery by internationally acclaimed, Western Australian-born artist, Tim Burns. A protean figure, Tim Burns is one of Australia's pre-eminent conceptual artists. His oeuvre has long been fugitive; variously and at times intentionally, by the artist himself, dissembled, obfuscated and ventriloquized. Spanning his six-decade career, this exhibition showcases Burns's unique contributions to the fields of performance, video and conceptual art, his formative role in experimental filmmaking and his talents as a painter. The Kinetic Moments includes paintings, ...

  • Twilight Food Market

    Perth's original and largest street food market, the Twilight Food Market, brings the world's tastiest flavours right to the heart of the city. Hosted by the City of Perth and held in Forrest Place, this market transforms Friday nights into a vibrant celebration of food, culture, and community. Running from October to March each summer, the market offers a delicious array of authentic street foods from around the globe. Visitors can immerse themselves in the lively atmosphere, sampling diverse cuisines while enjoying live performances from local musicians that add to the vibrant cultural experience. ...

  • Nyumbi

    Nyumbi at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth offers visitors a vibrant and immersive cultural experience that celebrates the living traditions of First Nations peoples through weekly ceremonial dance and storytelling. Held every Saturday, Nyumbi invites visitors to witness a dynamic Welcome to Country led by Whadjuk Nyoongar community members, featuring traditional music, dance, and language.   This free outdoor event is a rare opportunity to engage with Indigenous culture in an authentic and respectful setting, making it a must-see for those seeking meaningful connection during their travels. ...

Food and Drink

  • Willi's Pizza Bar

    You'll find Willi's on the corner of William and Wellington Street in Perths' CBD, serving up funky wines and thick, cheesy, crispy rectangle style pizza, with primi side plates, neon lights, backed by an '80s funk soundtrack. Pop in for a quick midweek lunch, or settle in for the real deal, best served with good company and an empty stomach.

  • Santini Bar and Grill

    Inspired by the sun and always embracing the seasons, Santini Bar and Grill celebrates classic Italian dining, pairing it back with everything that is loved about Western Australia. Santini Grill's open-plan kitchen shows off the smoky woodfire coals and hanging handmade pasta, while the bold terracotta and turquoise hues of the dining room transport guests to the Mediterranean. The menu, curated by Culinary Creative Lead Nic Wood and Executive Chef Jake Lynch, focuses on fresh seasonal produce, thoughtfully sourced and simply cooked. Local aged parmesan, custom-made burrata and freshly-picked ...

  • Rooftop at QT

    The Rooftop at QT will send your eyes to the sky. Sip spritz in starry-night delight. Elevated above it all on the 18th floor, be swept away with stunning views— illuminated in luscious hues from the city’s highest of rooftops.Local artists were let loose on their chic glass doors with designer dashes in vibrant West Australian colours.Rooftop at QT welcomes one and all for high-life mingling, and shaking cocktails for the visiting connoisseurs and locals alike. Enjoy fine wine and bar bites under the moonlight.

Tours

  • Perth City Tour

    Perth truly is one of the most beautiful cities in Australia. It is known and remembered for its blue skies, sunny climate, and hospitable and friendly people. Let Perth inspire you with its charm and simplicity. Your tour guide will help bring you closer to this modern city's cosmopolitan atmosphere and lifestyle. The tour includes Perth, Elizabeth Quay, Kings Park, and Fremantle as well as visits to Optus Stadium, and Millionaire's Row. There is an optional service of a Swan River Cruise back to the City of Perth, or a Rottnest Island detour and Swan River Cruise back to the City ...

  • Perth female trailblazers: women's history tour of Perth

    Well-behaved women seldom make history. This tour shines a light on some of the world’s oldest – and newest professions. Discover what happened, where, and see history differently. Join Lizzy, your virtual tour guide, for an enlightening expedition across seven distinctive stops. Here's what you can expect: Seven Distinct Stops: Each location unveils hidden tales of remarkable women who shaped Perth, offering insights into their lives over a refreshing beverage or two. Engaging Audio Narration: Lizzy’s engaging narration brings these stories to life, providing historical context and fascinating ...

  • Perth East Tour

    The Perth East tour is a 90-minute Segway Tour along the Swan River foreshore to Claisebrook Cove in East Perth. Along the tour, you'll spot historic Rowing Sheds, the Supreme Court Gardens, the beautiful Swan River foreshore, Perth cityscape, wetlands, Lake Vasto, WA Cricket Ground (WACA) and Claisebrook Cove.

Attractions

  • WA Museum Boola Bardip

    WA Museum Boola Bardip is located in the arts and culture hub of Perth. Boola Bardip meaning ‘many stories’ in the traditional Nyoongar language, the Museum provides a bold, dynamic setting for Western Australia's fascinating stories, history and culture to unfold through state-of-the-art technology and innovative interactive exhibits. Rising majestically above the heritage buildings of Perth’s Cultural Centre, this modern marvel encompasses 6, 000 square metres of gallery space, including a 1, 000 square metre large-scale exhibition space. Wander the two intersecting loops to feel inspired by ...

  • Shopping - Perth, Northbridge and West Perth

    Retail therapy can be found in the form of leading fashion houses, chic boutiques and outlet bargains on a shopping spree in Perth, Northbridge and West Perth. Seekers of high-end fashion should head for the King Street precinct, in the west end of the city - the place to be seen with Perth's well-heeled, indulging in international and local designer labels and luxury brands. Other rich pickings include designer jewellery crafted from Western Australian gold, Argyle diamonds, Australian opals and Broome's famous South Sea pearls. Other popular city shopping precincts for big-brand fashion, jewellery, ...

  • Iconic

    Standing at the entrance to the Mirvac office tower, this striking sculpture marks a defining moment in Perth's history—the felling of a tree in 1829 to commemorate the city's founding. More than just a landmark, it serves as a powerful symbol of renewal, cultural identity, and continuity. Crafted from interwoven stainless steel tubes, the sculpture rises in a form inspired by ancient tree trunks. Its modern design reflects the enduring strength and interconnectedness of community, nature, and heritage. The tree form, with its elegant buttressed lines, honours both the past and the regenerative ...

Find more museums

In regional towns and urban hotspots, Western Australia’s many fascinating museums preserve the stories, history and artefacts of our rich culture, landscapes and past. 

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