October 4, 2023
Our second trip to “Freo” was specifically to the WA Maritime Museum; we have purchased annual membership of WA Museums which was less than the entry fee to both the WA Musem in Perth and this one and also gives discounts on the various tours and social exhibitions, like the Egyptian Exhibition in the City and here the Submarine Tour.
The museum famously includes “Australia II” among it’s exhibits in full sail (main image) as the America’s Cup winner in 1983; the 40th anniversary has just been celebrated here.
We took an early lunch and then wandered through the various exhibits which include a section of the wreck of the Batavia which had been under water for 345 years
The Museum includes the Submarine HMAS Ovens standing on a cradle on the original WW2 submarine slipway at the side of the complex, tours are conducted starting every half hour and taking an hour and half, all conducted by ex-submariners who are volunteers. Only 10 people per group so access is easy in the cramped spaces below decks.
