Wadjemup Museum
Wadjemup Museum
4
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Wadjemup Museum is a gateway to history and culture. Discover exhibits that tell the island’s story.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.0
205 reviews
Excellent
68
Very good
98
Average
31
Poor
7
Terrible
1
Ron C
Perth, Australia28 contributions
Apr 2021 • Couples
We knew some of the history of Rottnest but valued the time spent at the museum to broaden our knowledge. Highly recommend a well spent 30-40 minutes for a gold coin donation.
Full marks to all the volunteers who man the various spots like the museum.
Full marks to all the volunteers who man the various spots like the museum.
Written April 22, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,657 contributions
Feb 2022
This small museum will not teach you much about Rottnest that you don't know if you are a regular visitor to the island.. It does, however, give an insight into Rottnest's sorry history as a penal institution for Aboriginal people. A visit to the miseum need not take more than half an hour.
Written May 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Manue
Rimouski, Canada54 contributions
Jun 2023 • Solo
An interesting place to visit while waiting for the ferry. I was not aware of the island's sad history but having a museum like this is a positive step toward reconciliation with aboriginal people (the island is not just all about the quokkas). A bit on the heavy side though.
Written June 21, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
PaulJan
Perth, Western Australia, Australia31 contributions
May 2021
Don't expect this museum to be one of the magnificence of Rottnest Island. Instead it is completely on the history of the abuse and mistreatment of the Aboriginals in the early settlement as a penal jail. The museum is a cold presentation of the brutal side of history. Such a shame it could not have been contrasted with the beauty and character of the island itself. Our family has donated countless irreplaceable memorabilia to the Rottnest Island Authority and that seems to have disappeared. We would have loved to have seen some of that displayed to depict the brighter side of history.
Written May 12, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trustascot
Perth, Australia670 contributions
May 2021 • Friends
If raining then it is worth a visit. Apart from story plaques little to see. Much of the stuff is pathetic. Great building but needs a lot of amaginion to make it more interesting.
Written May 13, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dide R
Perth, Australia174 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
Very interesting facts and memorabilia within this fascinating museum. Including the history of Rottnest, natural, and human occupation, and the more recent history of The WRENS. And their involvement on the Island.
Written July 15, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sheridan S
Melbourne, Australia37 contributions
Apr 2018 • Friends
You could easily spend an hour or so looking at all the exhibits at the museum. Gold coin donation entry. Has information on social and natural history of Rottnest. Well set out with plenty of room to move about.
Written April 29, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DawidK859
Nagoya, Japan614 contributions
Dec 2015
Small, although interesting in its description of life on Rottnest and how it changed from a prison for the indigenous, to the current day holiday getaway for many people. Along with a guide service on the island it is staffed by outstanding volunteers. Interesting photos of stages of the islands history and how it has evolved. Free entry but request made for gold coin donation to help with running costs,. and that was done with absolute pleasure =D
Written March 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you for your review Dawid. The museum is a great way to educate our visitors about Rottnest Island's multifaceted history and we hope that more people take the time to walk through and speak to our fantastic voluntary guides. In 2018, the lease of the Quod will return to Rottnest Island Authority control. Planning is beginning for appropriate use of this significant site, in conjunction with Aboriginal people from across Western Australia. This follows the recent completion of the initial landscaping works on the Aboriginal burial ground. We are also in the planning stages to extend the geological display in the Museum to include the pre-Island artefacts. We hope you do take the time to return to the Island once this is complete as we hope this will be a fantastic way to educate visitors about the Island's history, and also allow for visitors to pay respects. Warm regards, Rottnest Island
Written March 10, 2016
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Victorianlad
Melbourne, Australia17,938 contributions
Dec 2011
The museum only required a gold coin donation and so at the bargain price of A$1 was in stark contrast to what can be ripoff food and drink prices charged on this island.
It has three rooms and while even the limestone walls did not keep out all the heat, I enjoyed looking at photos depicting the island's history as a boys'reformatory and Aboriginal prison until 1903.
The lady volunteer (not young) was gracious and just the type to answer anyone's questions.
It has three rooms and while even the limestone walls did not keep out all the heat, I enjoyed looking at photos depicting the island's history as a boys'reformatory and Aboriginal prison until 1903.
The lady volunteer (not young) was gracious and just the type to answer anyone's questions.
Written December 10, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Swisshen
Perth, Australia2,345 contributions
Oct 2023 • Couples
If you have time visit this free museum which brings the island history alive. The Aboriginal story telling video is very poignant. You can give a free contribution. Definitely worth a visit
Written October 12, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
- How much time would you recommend spending at the museum?
- Is it still worth visiting, if you also go on one of the coach tours around the island? (Bayseeker Island Tour, or Discover Rottnest Tour)
- Are souvenirs sold there?
Written August 16, 2019
Which hours on a weekday and weekend is the Rottnest Island Museum open?
Written January 1, 2017
Hi Andrew the Museum is open 10am till 3pm seven days a week.
Written January 5, 2017
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