Perth Voice Interactive

AS summer heats up and schools let out, the WA Museum system is offering free admission to its seven institutions, including the WA Museum Boola Bardip.

The initiative, which runs until March 31, invites locals and tourists alike to explore Western Australia’s cultural and natural heritage without the usual entry fees.

For visitors unsure where to begin, one standout is the acclaimed Origins gallery at WA Museum Boola Bardip. 

Touted as a “rock-solid journey to the origins of the universe,” the immersive exhibit explores the ancient landscapes of Western Australia and the vast mysteries of the cosmos, weaving together Aboriginal knowledge systems with Western scientific perspectives.

The gallery opens with an awe-inspiring kaleidoscope arch, where vibrant, illuminated images of minerals taken through petrographic microscopes showcase the Earth’s geological diversity. Nearby, a glittering wall of suspended minerals reveals Western Australia’s abundant resources, acting as a visual timeline of the planet’s history.

Among the most interactive displays is a meteorite from the museum’s internationally renowned collection, offering visitors the rare chance to touch a fragment from outer space. 

Additionally, the Origins exhibit highlights the Desert Fireball Network, an advanced technology used to track meteorite landings across Australia’s vast desert landscapes.

Ancient landforms, such as the Bungle Bungle Range — known as Gawarre to the Gija people — feature prominently. 

A sculpture in the gallery unpacks the secrets of the beehive-shaped formations, while a touchscreen panel immerses visitors in Indigenous creation stories tied to these natural wonders.

The Origins exhibit underscores the gallery’s blending of cultural storytelling and scientific discovery, giving visitors multiple lenses through which to understand Western Australia’s rich history and natural beauty. 

From the stars above to the minerals below, the displays highlight how the region’s wonders continue to captivate scientists, artists, and storytellers.

With its free entry this summer, the WA Museum network hopes to inspire new stories for visitors of all ages. As the Museum puts it: “Every summer has a story” — and this year, those stories begin at the doorsteps of Western Australia’s cultural institutions.