Cultural Centre & WA Museum
Perth’s cultural hitters around one walkable Northbridge square — WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Art Gallery of WA, the State Library and PICA, mostly free to enter.
Perth Cultural Centre & Museum
In Northbridge, just across the rail line from the city, the Perth Cultural Centre packs the state’s big cultural hitters around one walkable square: the reimagined WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Library and the contemporary-arts space PICA. General entry to the museum and gallery is usually free, making this one of Perth’s best-value — and best all-weather — things to do. Here’s what to see.
What to See
WA Museum Boola Bardip
“Many stories” — WA’s culture, natural history and people, reopened 2020.
Art Gallery of WA
The state collection, from Australian masters to Indigenous art.
State Library & PICA
The State Library and cutting-edge shows at PICA on the square.
Eat & Explore
Restaurants, bars and Chinatown right on the doorstep.
Cultural Centre Tips
- General entry to the museum and gallery is usually free
- Check current hours and any ticketed special exhibitions
- A great option on a rainy day or hot afternoon
- Walk or take the free CAT bus from the city and Elizabeth Quay
- Combine with a meal in Northbridge afterwards
Cultural Centre — FAQ
What is the Perth Cultural Centre?
It’s a compact arts precinct in Northbridge, just north of the city, gathering the WA Museum Boola Bardip, the Art Gallery of Western Australia, the State Library and the Perth Institute of Contemporary Arts (PICA) around a lively public square.
What is WA Museum Boola Bardip?
The state museum, reopened in 2020, telling Western Australia’s stories — from Aboriginal culture and natural history to the state’s people and places. “Boola Bardip” means “many stories” in Noongar. Check current hours and any ticketed exhibitions.
Is entry free?
General entry to the WA Museum and the Art Gallery of WA is typically free, with charges for some special exhibitions. Hours and ticketing change, so check current details before you visit.
Is it good in any weather?
Yes — it’s a great rainy-day or hot-afternoon option, with several indoor venues side by side and cafés in the precinct.
What else is nearby?
Northbridge’s restaurants, bars and Chinatown are right there, and it’s a short walk or free CAT bus ride from the city centre and Elizabeth Quay.
Perth & the West Coast, Planned Around You
Kings Park and the beaches, quokkas on Rottnest, the Swan Valley and the Pinnacles — with the planning and bookings handled by the family that’s toured Australia since 1974.
Call 0409 661 342 Plan My Trip — Free Enquiry