Museum of the Great Southern

The Museum of the Great Southern is located in Menang country, providing exhibitions, public programs and information about the region's natural and social history. The Western Australian Museum is comprised of multiple museum sites, reflective of our State's rich and diverse natural and cultural heritage. The Museum of the Great Southern is located in Menang country and overlooks Princess Royal H

arbour, Albany, the site of the first European settlement in WA. The Museum shares the histories of the Menang Noongar* people, early settlers and convicts, and acts as a gateway to the unique natural heritage of our Great Southern.

*As advised by the WA Museum Aboriginal Advisory Committee, the Museum acknowledges the different forms of pronunciation and spelling of the word Nyoongar/Noongar/Nyungar.

Did you see the awesome article in the Albany Advertiser promoting our Celebrate WA Day festival? We hope you can join u...
12/05/2026

Did you see the awesome article in the Albany Advertiser promoting our Celebrate WA Day festival?

We hope you can join us on Monday 1 June at the Museum for a day filled with fun activities celebrating the spirit and diversity of our beautiful Great Southern region.

Check out the article link in comments and stay tuned to our socials as we highlight some of the great community groups who will be taking part in the festival.

Wishing all our visitor's mum's and mother figures a very Happy Mother's Day.We look forward to welcoming you, your fami...
09/05/2026

Wishing all our visitor's mum's and mother figures a very Happy Mother's Day.

We look forward to welcoming you, your family and friends to visit today or any day and enjoy everything we have to offer.

📸 Credit Nic Duncan

06/05/2026

So exciting! Join us this WA Day Monday 1 June at the Museum. We look forward to seeing you there.

On the South Coast, cool weather is the norm. That’s where the booka comes in. This kangaroo-skin cloak on display in ou...
06/05/2026

On the South Coast, cool weather is the norm. That’s where the booka comes in. This kangaroo-skin cloak on display in our residencyy bulding was purpose-built for local conditions, stitched together with bone-pierced edges and kangaroo sinew long before wet weather gear existed.

In the Noongar seasons of Makuru and Djilba it was flipped fur-inward for cosy warmth and skin-outward for extra defence against rain.

Drop by to see the booka and see how traditional ingenuity beat the cold long before coats were a thing!

The Brig Amity replica will be temporarily closed from Monday 11 May to Friday 15 May for maintenance. The rest of the M...
05/05/2026

The Brig Amity replica will be temporarily closed from Monday 11 May to Friday 15 May for maintenance.
The rest of the Museum will remain open throughout this time.
We apologise for the inconvenience and look forward to welcoming you back onboard from Saturday 16 May!

Diana Jones AM has been instrumental to the Museum’s work for nearly half a century. 🏆 Now, her extraordinary contributi...
04/05/2026

Diana Jones AM has been instrumental to the Museum’s work for nearly half a century. 🏆

Now, her extraordinary contribution has been recognised with our highest honour: Fellow of the Western Australian Museum.

Di joined the Museum in 1977 and, over her career, become one of our most respected researchers and senior leaders, holding titles including Curator of Crustacea, Head of Aquatic Zoology and Executive Director of Collections and Research.

She also built an international reputation, with her research contributing to major projects across WA, including work in the Dampier Archipelago and the Kimberley.

For many across the organisation, Di’s impact has also been a personal one. As a trailblazing woman in science, she has been a mentor and supporter to many staff over the years, leaving a lasting impact on those who have learned from her.

After officially retiring in 2024, Di has continued as a WA Museum Research Associate, ensuring her knowledge and expertise remain part of the Museum community.

Congratulations, Di, on this well-deserved recognition.

This is no ordinary lighthouse lens ⚓The optic from the Eclipse Island Lighthouse was a powerhouse of 490 hand-ground gl...
01/05/2026

This is no ordinary lighthouse lens âš“

The optic from the Eclipse Island Lighthouse was a powerhouse of 490 hand-ground glass prisms, all floating on mercury, beaming a signal strong enough to kiss the horizon.

It was the original sea-saving spotlight, guiding ships through rough seas and treacherous waters from 1925 onward.

But getting there wasn’t quite as smooth. Next to it sits the Eclipse Island Basket - the island’s original “people mover.” Passengers and supplies were swung over cliffs in this very basket into waiting boats below.

Come see the lens that lit the sea and the basket that gave new meaning to the term “hold on tight.”

Step into the rich textile history of the Great Southern and uncover the stories woven into one of the region’s most ico...
28/04/2026

Step into the rich textile history of the Great Southern and uncover the stories woven into one of the region’s most iconic industries - the Albany Woollen Mills.

Join fabric artist Sally Pell at our next Tuesday Curatorial as she shares heartfelt memories from former mill workers, explores the mill’s long and fascinating history, and showcases the growing collection of wool products and treasured memorabilia.

đź“… Tuesday 5 May 2026
⏰ 10.30am – 11.30am
📍 Co‑op Building
đź’° Free event (gold coin donations welcome)

Image: Albany Historical Society Inc., CWA Org 5/1 P2003.361

🎖️ Today we remember.ANZAC Day is Australia’s national day of remembrance, a moment to honour those who served and refle...
24/04/2026

🎖️ Today we remember.

ANZAC Day is Australia’s national day of remembrance, a moment to honour those who served and reflect on the sacrifices of war.

Among the many stories are brothers Matthew and William Harwood, who enlisted in 1915.
Matthew’s identification tag, complete with a small “lucky” threepence, is part of the WA Museum’s History Collection. He was wounded at Pozieres and returned home, living with those injuries for decades.

William went on to fight across the Western Front before being killed in action at Passchendaele in 1917.

Today, we honour their service, their sacrifice, and the countless stories like theirs.

Lest we forget. 🌿

For local ANZAC Day service details, please head to The City of Albany

Image 1: Studio portrait of William Harwood, 51st Battalion AIF, March 1916
Image 2: Studio portrait of Matthew Harwood, 16th Battalion AIF, c.1917–1918

The Museum of the Great Southern will be open a little later tomorrow. We will be open from 1pm to 4pm.Perfect timing to...
24/04/2026

The Museum of the Great Southern will be open a little later tomorrow. We will be open from 1pm to 4pm.

Perfect timing to swing by and explore our Albany Then & Now exhibition đź‘€

Discover how the city’s past and present sit side‑by‑side, with incredible historic images paired with their modern counterparts.

Come see how much has changed… and what’s stayed wonderfully the same.

👑 Last call for Australia’s tiniest contender!The full moon clam (Ephippodonta lunata) is the only Australian finalist i...
23/04/2026

👑 Last call for Australia’s tiniest contender!

The full moon clam (Ephippodonta lunata) is the only Australian finalist in this year’s International Mollusc of the Year competition.

It was discovered by WA Museum Curator of Molluscs Dr Lisa Kirkendale, beneath a rock in a bay while diving. “They looked like mini snowflakes,” she said.

That moment revealed a species new to science, and now it's representing the Nation in this quirky little competition.

Help us show the world how amazing Australia's biodiversity truly is – Voting closes 25 April!

VOTE MOON CLAM: https://www.unitasmalacologica.org/ephippodonta-lunata.html

Address

Residency Road
Albany, WA
6330

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 4pm
Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+61898414844

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