Museums in the South West

The Old Settlement Margaret River

The Bramley School contains historical school paraphernalia, many local photographs and changing displays. In 2015, after many years of restoration work by MRDHS members and volunteers, another Group Settlement building, a “Groupie” house, was officially opened and operates as a museum.

The museum holds a collection of Group Settlement artefacts, dating from between 1921-1935 and is surrounded by farming implements, blacksmith tools, renovated spring carts and an old dairy and milk shed that were used during the same period.

Both of these buildings offer an insight into the history of early life in the district during the early 1920’s and the families that once lived and worked the land.

Opening hours
Tuesday 10:00am - 12:30pm
Thursday 1:30pm - 4:00pm
Saturday 10:00am - 3:00pm
Sunday 10:00am - 3:00pm

Acesss and parking
The Historical Society is located just south of the river. Access to the Historical Society is through Higgens Street.

Augusta Historical Museum

Established in 1979, the Augusta Historical Museum offers visitors a comprehensive display documenting the rich history of Augusta and Districts since settlement in 1830.

Displays include details of families involved in the 1830s, artefacts from local shipwrecks, from the MC Davies timber empire (1880s to 1915); the local environment, personal effects of early settlers, details of the 1920s group settlements, commemorative china, coins and medals, garments from various eras, church organs and the whale rescue event whichmade headline news around the world.

For more information visit the Margaret River Region website

Busselton Museum

The Heritage Butter Factory and Busselton Museum has ten display rooms packed with photographs, equipment and memorabilia which trace the family, social, civic, commercial and maritime history of Busselton.Everything from agriculture to whaling; from crockery, clocks and cameras to sewing machines, travel and transport is included.The one-hectare site is nestled on the banks of the picturesque Vasse River. A replica of the Jetty Rotunda enhances the vista and the exhibits demonstrate Busselton’s diverse agricultural, forestry and maritime history. Special attention is focused on the famous 1920’s Group Settlement Scheme which shaped much of the development of the South West.Visit us, and discover a time now past.

For more information, visit the museum's website

Nannup Historical Society

The Nannup Historical Society collects, classifies and preserves records relating to the history of Nannup and surrounding districts. The headquarters are open to the public Monday , Wednesday and Friday mornings displaying on a rotating basis some 2,500 photographs from the turn of the twentieth century to current times together with extensive archives covering Nannup district history such as the timber industry, electoral rolls from 1901, World War I and II enlistments, Police station staffing, old telephone and post office directories, burials at Nannup cemetery, family histories, plus memorabilia and artefacts.

For more information, visit the Nannup Historical Society website

Bridgetown Historical Society and Museum

The Bridgetown Police Station Museum 1880 is a fine example of an early Western Australian Police Station and lockup which was built in 1880 and one of the earliest government buildings in Bridgetown.

The building is in original condition with three cells, a booking room, kitchen and exercise yard - although a tin roof now covers the shingles.

The museum tells the stories of early policing in Bridgetown and its effects on the Bibbulmun people of the region. There is an outside shed with agricultural and apple industry equipment. Exhibitions are shown each year on contemporary subjects.

For more information, visit the Bridgetown Historical Society website

Pemberton Tramway Company

The Pemberton Tramway Company is a privately operated tourist railway in the south west of Western Australia, which conveys tourists through deep forests and picturesque countryside as well as recreating the history of the timber railways that were so important to the regions development and growth. The railway uses paid and voluntary staff, and operates diesel hydraulic trams over a total route length of 10kms.

For more information, visit the  Pemberton Tramway Company website

South-West Rail and Heritage Centre Boyanup

The South West Rail and Heritage Centre, situated in Boyanup in the South West of Western Australia is dedicated to the industrial heritage of the South West. The site, a partnership between Rail Heritage WA and the Boyanup Foundation Inc, is currently home to five resident groups, all of which contribute to the common goal of preserving and growing awareness of the industrial heritage of the region.

For more information, visit the South West Rail and Heritage Centre website

Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre

In the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre, the City of Bunbury has brought together state of the art exhibition facilities and contemporary museum practice within one of the city’s best-loved buildings, the 1886 Bunbury Boys School.

The Museum’s permanent and temporary exhibitions tell the unique stories of the South West's regional centre and the colourful characters who helped to make Bunbury the vibrant port city that it is today.

From the oldest continuous living culture of the Wardandi Noongar Aboriginal Australians, to the shipwrecks and struggles of early migrants, convicts and wartime stories, daily life and local industry - the people of the region have all contributed to this city’s rich history.

For more information, visit the Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre website