La Perouse Museum
La Perouse Museum
4
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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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
29 reviews
Excellent
12
Very good
9
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1
JElliot32
New South Wales, Australia3,962 contributions
Mar 2021
Visited the museum during their exhibition, 'Max Dupain and La Perouse: the Caltex Story'. There were not a huge number of iconic images by Dupain on display but what was there was brilliant, highly evocative of Australian industry in the 1950s. (Caltex had commissioned Dupain to photograph the construction of the Kurnell oil refinery. In those days there was a regular ferry service between Kurnell and La Perouse, so he took plenty of pics around La Perouse too.)
Had a look through the rest of the museum too. There is a room of photos and artifacts dedicated to the 'Snake Man' sideshow era at La Perouse, and there are a couple of rooms concerning the ill-fated La Perouse expedition of 1788, when the French navigator arrived at Botany Bay just days after the Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet. The French then set up camp at what is now La Perouse for some six weeks before moving on, sailing to their doom in the Solomon Islands.
While the museum is very good, I thought it could have had a bit more information on the local Aboriginal peoples, who have been very prominent in the history of the area.
You can see the museum in an hour or less and entry is free.
Had a look through the rest of the museum too. There is a room of photos and artifacts dedicated to the 'Snake Man' sideshow era at La Perouse, and there are a couple of rooms concerning the ill-fated La Perouse expedition of 1788, when the French navigator arrived at Botany Bay just days after the Captain Arthur Phillip and the First Fleet. The French then set up camp at what is now La Perouse for some six weeks before moving on, sailing to their doom in the Solomon Islands.
While the museum is very good, I thought it could have had a bit more information on the local Aboriginal peoples, who have been very prominent in the history of the area.
You can see the museum in an hour or less and entry is free.
Written March 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.
Jeffry b
Essendon, Australia13,603 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
La Perouse was a French master mariner who narrowly avoided claiming Australia for France. His name has persisted since those early days. La Perouse became a mission station for Aboriginal people. These days, around one-third of the population of La Perouse has an indigenous background. The La Perouse Museum is a memorial to this fascinating man.
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.
Michael C
Harrogate, UK802 contributions
Mar 2017 • Solo
Museum in historic cable station built 1881. Contains an art gallery and details of the French navigator Jean-Francois de Galaup- Compte de Laperouse who arrived in Botany bay 1788
After 6weeks his expedition left to never be seen again. The shipwreck was found in 1927 in the Solomon Islands.
Museum has a fascinating account of so much relating to this.
After 6weeks his expedition left to never be seen again. The shipwreck was found in 1927 in the Solomon Islands.
Museum has a fascinating account of so much relating to this.
Written March 10, 2017
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.
ExplorerGoddess
Sydney, Australia496 contributions
Jun 2016 • Couples
We spent about an hour looking through this two-storey museum. There's plenty of interesting things to see, including information about the French navigator Lapérouse, Aboriginal stories and also some info on the marine life in the waters around La Perouse.
The staff member working was welcoming and friendly and it only costs a gold coin to get in. This is also where you buy your tickets for the Bare Island Fort tour.
Museum only open on Sundays. Bare Island Fort tour operates on Sundays only as well: 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm.
Well worth a look through this museum whilst in La Perouse.
The staff member working was welcoming and friendly and it only costs a gold coin to get in. This is also where you buy your tickets for the Bare Island Fort tour.
Museum only open on Sundays. Bare Island Fort tour operates on Sundays only as well: 1:30pm, 2:30pm and 3:30pm.
Well worth a look through this museum whilst in La Perouse.
Written June 13, 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.
FridayOnMyMindSydney
Sydney, Australia81 contributions
Jun 2013 • Family
Very interesting Museum (built 1882) not far from the Sydney CBD with displays on Aboriginal , British, French, Australian history. Also a display of the unique marine life found in Botany Bay. You can buy tickets here for a tour of Bare Island Fortress. Museum open Sundays 10am to 4pm.
Bare Island Fort tours at 130 pm 230 pm 330 pm
Bare Island Fort tours at 130 pm 230 pm 330 pm
Written June 27, 2013
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.
Daniellebarry76
Caringbah, Australia7 contributions
Jan 2016 • Family
After looking on the internet for the Snake Man of La Perouse, I was directed to the Museum website. Taking my two boys, aged 8 and 4, we ventured over to look at the Museum and make it to the show. On arrival, I asked the lady sitting behind the desk where the show is help as I am unfamiliar with the area, her response was "I am sick of people asking me, I have no idea, has nothing to do with us". I let her know that I got the info from the website and she said, " the website is not kept up to date. It could be on, but might not and I dont know where or what time" Taken slightly aback, we decided to do the Bare Island Tour instead as we had planned an adventure and I didnt want to disappoint the boys. After paying my $35 for 2 children and 1 adult, I noticed 4 signs behind her saying it is $25 for a family of 4. When I questioned why I had to pay more for 3, she said "You are not a family of 4!" I questioned her again, saying that it ridiculous, and pointed to the signs, and she said that the pricing was incorrect and didnt want an argument! I was hardly arguing, just didnt understand. The lady was rude, and even had the hide to say that some people are looking for "something for nothing"! I couldnt care less about the $10, its the principle! I had to ask if I could get some tickets for entry, and her response was an eye roll.. Anyway, she kindly let us have a look through the Museum, which was filthy with dirt, and boring, and on our way out, she stopped my sons and I to show us the printed pricing. Again, I said I didnt care about the price, was only asking a question as the pricing displayed 4 times was different to what I was charged. We finally made it to Bare Island for the tour, and the guide could not have been less caring. We asked a couple of questions (trying to make it an educational day for 8yo) and she said she would get to it later in the tour (of course, she didnt). The 45 minute tour took under 30 minutes, and having travelled the world, I have never come across a less inspiring person. As we made our exit out of La Perouse, we drove past the Snake Man doing his show. Should have saved my $35 and asked someone else. Not impressed at all.
Written March 1, 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.
Mel D
Sydney, Australia68 contributions
Mar 2012 • Family
The museum has a display of a unique collection of original charts drawn from the explorations of the Comte La Perouse. His observations were sent back to Europe from Botany Bay by returning first fleet vessels and were converted into charts and an atlas printed from etched plates. The plates were recently rediscovered and a limited number of impressions were printed from them. The museum was given a selection of these charts, printed from the original plates.
Written September 2, 2012
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.
Christine Lily
Sydney, Australia1,282 contributions
Jun 2020 • Friends
A fascinating old building full of historical artefacts and amazing old photos of life during the depression.
Written June 25, 2020
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.
Tamjai P
42 contributions
Jan 2016 • Friends
Beauty Sea and neighboring islands.
The views and beautiful scenery.
You can store pictures Multiple angles Which typically takes a team of cameramen filming Pre-wedding at this very well.
The sky will make a beautiful picture out.
The views and beautiful scenery.
You can store pictures Multiple angles Which typically takes a team of cameramen filming Pre-wedding at this very well.
The sky will make a beautiful picture out.
Written January 18, 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.
francesca082
'Sydney, Australia360 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
Warning; I am a museum tragic. I love 'em. This one is of course unique and yet covers a diverse suite of historical and personal narratives. So, maybe like me, you'll happily toddle around any number of rooms filled with facts, and wish you could commit all to memory, especially so that you can win the next Trivia Comp.
Okay, the building had 4 lives so far: 1)Cable Station staff Accommodation from c 1882 to 1918. 2)Nurses' and WW1 soldiers' accommodation to 1944; 3) Salvation Army Women and Children's refuge to 1988 and 4)currently a Museum featuring the journeys of Comte de La Perouse, who nearly pinned New Holland for France in perpetuity. Plus, displays about Aboriginal prior occupation to today; the snake exhibit story and a wonderful collection of nature photos from Bare island and the waters of Botany Bay.
Phew! We came back after a meal and a swim, to finish off reading the displays. And I am sure we'll revisit it with friends soon.
Okay, the building had 4 lives so far: 1)Cable Station staff Accommodation from c 1882 to 1918. 2)Nurses' and WW1 soldiers' accommodation to 1944; 3) Salvation Army Women and Children's refuge to 1988 and 4)currently a Museum featuring the journeys of Comte de La Perouse, who nearly pinned New Holland for France in perpetuity. Plus, displays about Aboriginal prior occupation to today; the snake exhibit story and a wonderful collection of nature photos from Bare island and the waters of Botany Bay.
Phew! We came back after a meal and a swim, to finish off reading the displays. And I am sure we'll revisit it with friends soon.
Written January 3, 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.
camilladiann
Greater Sydney, Australia
Need to find contact details for Craft shop in Botany Bay, next to auditorium where whale watching videos shown
Written February 10, 2015
camilladiann
Greater Sydney, Australia
Need to find contact details for Craft shop in Botany Bay, next to auditorium where whale watching videos shown
Written February 10, 2015
camilladiann
Greater Sydney, Australia
An elderly friend visited years ago and would like to contact craft shop re purchase of embroidered hankies (I think) -
Written February 10, 2015
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