WA Museum Has A Stacked Line-up For 2026, Here’s The Must-See Exhibits For The Whole Fam
Maddie Wallman
Contributor | Urban List
Looking for a museum experience that’s anything but dry? WA Museum Boola Bardip is making serious waves in 2026, bringing an ocean-charged line-up of exhibitions and events to Perth Cultural Centre.
From deep-sea dives without the wetsuits to glowing projections of WA’s coastline and sea creatures, the program plunges headfirst into the mysteries of the big blue, reeling in curious kids, culture-loving grown-ups and everyone in between. Over in Fremantle, WA Maritime Museum takes the adventure further with a virtual reality experience exploring life on the Great Barrier Reef.
With science, history and imagination at every turn, start your ocean adventure at WA Museum Boola Bardip. Here’s what’s making a splash.
OceanXperience
Closing Sunday 11 October 2026
There’s still time for an ocean adventure these school holidays, but you’ll need to get aboard before OceanXperience closes at WA Museum Boola Bardip on Sunday 11 October.
Step aboard a recreation of OceanXplorer, one of the world’s most advanced exploration and research vessels, and take on missions inspired by real ocean expeditions. Journey through Mission Control, the Bridge, Wet Lab and Dry Lab as you explore the ocean’s depths without getting your feet wet.
Packed with hands-on activities, fascinating technology and spectacular visuals, OceanXperience reveals how scientists map the seafloor and study marine life. Round up the family for a final voyage before the exhibition sets sail. No scuba gear required.
Dive Bar
Friday 2 October 2026
Planning a kid-free Friday night? Head to Dive Bar: Deep in Trivia on Friday 2 October, the final Dive Bar of the season at WA Museum Boola Bardip. Explore OceanXperience after hours, grab a drink and test your ocean knowledge with Perth drag superstar Cougar Morrison. Inspired by the wonders and weirdness of the deep sea, this relaxed trivia experience is all about curious minds, conversation and unexpected ocean facts. Bring a team, join one on the night or play solo, with quizzes running from 6pm to 6.45pm and 7.45pm to 8.30pm.
Prefer to skip the quiz? The bar and exhibition will be open until 9pm for all ticket holders, so you’re welcome to explore the exhibition or settle in with an ocean-themed cocktail.
Illuminate: Oceans
Closing Sunday 11 October 2026, 6.00pm–10.30pm
Turn up after-hours to see the WA Museum Boola Bardip drenched in colour with Illuminate: Oceans, a giant, glowing projection celebrating our wild coastline and the curious creatures that call it home.
Produced by multi-disciplinary artists Michael Haluwana and Sam Price, think whales cruising by, octopus scurrying up the walls, bioluminescent tides and aerial shots of WA’s best beaches.
Malu: Where Tides Leave Their Mark
Until Wednesday 23 September
Experience the spirit of Sea Country through the work of acclaimed Torres Strait Islander artist Brian Robinson in Malu Exhibition.
Malu, the Kala Lagaw Ya word for sea or ocean, explores the deep connections between water, ancestry, spirit, memory and identity.
Rich in humour, wonder and cultural storytelling, the exhibition honours the ocean as a living presence that continues to shape people and place.
Life In The Great Barrier Reef At WA Maritime Museum
Closing Sunday 8 November 2026
Ready to swap solid ground for life beneath the waves? Life in the Great Barrier Reef at WA Maritime Museum is a jaw-dropping 360° VR experience that drops you right into the heart of one of the world's most spectacular natural wonders. Filmed using custom-built 8K underwater cameras, you'll come face-to-face with turtles, manta rays, sharks, whales and dazzling coral ecosystems—without getting so much as a drop of water on you.
Guided by Traditional Owners, reef stewards and scientists, the experience dives into the powerful connection between land, sea and climate, while shining a light on the challenges facing the reef and the inspiring work being done to protect it. Expect breathtaking encounters, fascinating insights and a whole new appreciation for Australia's underwater world.
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Images: Supplied.