Aviation Heritage Museum

On our way back from Rockingham, we dropped by at Bull Creek to see the Aviation Heritage Museum which is co-located with the Air Force Memorial Estate.

Visitors to the Air Force Memorial Estate would be greeted by a replica of the iconic Supermarine Spitfire made famous by its exploits in WWII Battle of Britain.

The aircraft displayed traces the history of aviation and its association with Australia.  The displays are housed in two "hanger" structure designated as North and South Wing.

Another icon of the Battle of Britain - Hawker Hurricane

Visitors interested in military aviation history would be keen to see actual displays of the Lancaster and the Spitfire in the North Wing.

Item showing Australia's long-standing association with Southeast Asia.

It would be adviseable not to visit the museum at the peak of Summer as it can get uncomfortably hot as it is not air-conditioned.  Nevertheless, you can get temporary respite in the air-conditioned restrooms next to the ticket and gift counters.

There is, however, some good news.  One of the staff told us that there are plans to install air-conditioning in the near future.

For more information, the link is Aviation Heritage Museum.

Fairy Island - Rockingham

At the children's request, we made a trip to Rockingham on 14 Dec 13 for Rockingham Wild Encounters to see the "fairies".  Actually, it is to meet the Fairy Penguin or Little Penguin - the world's smallest penguin.  Arriving at Rockingham, we headed for the Penguin Island Departures, Gift Shop and Cafe located at 153 Arcadia Drive (corner of Penguin Road).

Penguin Island is part of the bigger Shoalwater Islands Marine Park.

Tickets are sold separate for the Penguin Island tour and the Glass Bottom Boat Cruise.  The trip from the mainland to Penguin Island takes about five minutes.  Although there warning signs, some locals still take the risk of crossing to the island using the sand bar on the left side of the ferry terminal.

Photography without flash are allowed at the Discovery Centre.

Besides visiting the Discovery Centre on the island to see penguin feeding, visitors can explore the island using the nature trails and boardwalks.  If you are lucky, you can spot wild penguins nesting along the coast. You can also enjoy swimming in the clear waters at the many coves on the island.

If you opt for the Glass Bottom Boat Cruise, you can transfer to the tour on Penguin Island jetty.  The cruise will bring visitors to neighbouring island where to see sea lions closed up.

Western Australian Maritime Museum - For Maritime Buff

Besides Fremantle Market and Fishing Boat Harbour for fish and chips, visitors should not miss out on a visit to the WAMM (AKA Western Australian Maritime Museum) at Victoria Quay when making a day trip to Fremantle.  The museum houses several galleries that traces WA's affinity with the sea.  Being an "island" continent surrounded by oceans, Australia has a long maritime tradition.

WAMM is located on Victoria Quay in Fremantle, in the heart of the historic working port.  There are six themed galleries inside the Museum, showcasing iconic vessels such as Australia II and Jon Sanders' Parry Endeavour (information taken from museum website).  

Entry for a family of five costs A$35 which is relatively cheap.  In fact, on the second Tuesday of every month there is entry to WAMM by gold coin donation.

Another interesting exhibit at WAMM was a display of rarely known shark, named Megamouth.  

 

One sight that one should not forego is the HMAS Ovens - Oberon Class - submarine tour.  This tour is an add-on to the basic entry fee and is restricted to small group of 10.  Personally, this is the highlight of the museum trip since there are not many opportunities to see the inside of a submarine, albeit a Cold War "relic".  If you are wondering, the submarine is air-conditioned.  The tour is ably guided by a museum volunteer and we were fortunate to have Roy as our guide.  Roy, whose family migrated from the UK, served for a short period in the RAN and also with the Foreign Service.

Original telescope from HMAS Ovens installed on the upper level of WAMM.  Offers a 360 degree of the surroundings.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After visiting WAMM, we walked a short distance to E Shed to see what was on "offer".  Although the place is not filled with crowds - perhaps it was on a Friday afternoon - the souvenir shops do offer good bargains.