Aviation Heritage Museum

Tucked away in Bullcreek, just 10 kilometres from Perth city centre, the Aviation Heritage Museum offers a fascinating look into aviation history with dozens of displays including a number of aircraft, replicas and models.

These include the giant restored Lancaster Bomber (the real deal mind you), a slightly smaller Catalina flying boat and the Bell UH-1H Iroquois helicopter.

It is not all history, a number of displays are working and offer the young ones some interaction to help keep their interest.

Strafing run.

Aircraft

The first thing you see on entry into the museum compound, which is located within the Air Force Memorial Estate, is the full-sized replica of the superlative Supermarine Spitfire that played a key role in the Battle of Britain during World War 2.

In contrast, the entrance to the Museum is a modest doorway that could go unnoticed without the sign announcing its location.

Upon entry though, you will be greeted with the sight of the rather imposing Consolidated PBY Catalina Flying Boat.


This dominates the display area (the first of two) and clearly demonstrates that the Museum is not pulling its punches with the aircraft it possess.

Scattered around the Catalina are various aircraft, replicas and displays that highlight the early history of aviation and progressing its way up towards more modern times (including the space age).

Other highlights here include the Sopwith Camel from World War 2, a scaled down Hawker Hurricane, a plane kids can climb into as well as helicopter model with spinning rotors.

Sopwith Camel	Hawker Hurricane	Take a flight
Atlas Rocket model	Climb on the Sugar Bird Lady

Moving on from the first display area, there is an open area where the Bell UH-1H Iroquois is located. This is a pristine example of the pivotal Vietnam War era helicopter which served in dozens of different roles.

Ready to take flight

There is also a genuine launcher with a replica Terrier - Sandhawk rocket and workshops where you can peek in on current restoration projects.

Entering the second display area, you will be met by the imposing Avro Lancaster - a massive four engine aircraft that was arguably the most effective bomber of World War 2.

Scattered around the giant are a number of other aircraft including a Dakota C47 and a Supermarine Spitfire (the genuine article unlike the one gracing the entrance) as well as a number of informative displays.

Really big bomb load	Just one of the many displays
Dakota C47	Supermarine Spitfire
All about the Avro Lancaster	One step backwards...

In summary, the Aviation Heritage Museum provides for an afternoon (or morning) out with many well maintained airplanes and other displays. It will appeal particularly to the aviation enthusiast, young or old.

Entry

Entry into the Museum is inexpensive. Adults are $10 each while children aged between 4 to 16 pay just $5.

Large families can enjoy a family ticket for 2 adults and up to 4 children for $25.

The Museum is open 10.00am to 4.00pm everyday except Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Good Friday.

Au Naturale - Noble Falls, Gidgegannup

Perth has a number of waterfalls scattered in its surrounds, of which Lesmurdie Falls and Serpentine Falls are perhaps the best known due part to the amount of literature available online and their size.

Noble Falls, located near the town of Gidgegannup, is tiny in comparison to these two, but it does make up for it in a number of ways.

Firstly, its easily accessible. Although Noble Falls is about 50 kilometres east of Perth, it is located next to Toodyay Road and can be easily spotted.

Secondly, it has picnic facilities for the whole family. There are numerous picnic tables, some electric BBQs and even a playground for children.

The falls are located so close to that you can enjoy the bubbling of the stream and falls while enjoying your picnic.

It is also worth noting that with the water in the falls being relatively shallow, kids can wade into parts of the stream with parental oversight and caution.

Thirdly, Noble Falls is very pretty, making it perfect for photographers. There are numerous spots to perfect your skills and if you're not shy of getting a little wet, many angles to take the falls from.

Last, but not least, the Noble Falls Tavern - open 7 days a week - is just across the road for a drink or a heartier meal.

Besides its merits as a picnic site, Noble Falls is also a brilliant place to stop over if you're taking a drive around the Avon Valley region with its historic townships of Toodyay and York.

Au Naturale - Point Peron

Western Australia has a number of lovely beaches, but sometimes the sheer number of people at the popular beaches can be daunting.

If you're looking for something a little quieter, go of the beaten track and head down south to Point Peron in Rockingham.

Not only is Point Peron a lot quieter than the northern beaches, it offers some lovely views, interesting limestone rock formations as well as rock pools.

It is also a great spot for snorkelling, so don't forget to pack your gear.

According to the locals, the best spot is Shoalwater Bay, which offers calm waters and lovely reefs.

Shoalwater Bay

Views

Rock pool

Point Peron has a number of spectacular limestone rock formations that offer avid photographers many opportunities for interesting snaps.

The large balancing rock that stands out so prominently promises to be an interesting feature in the evening, one that I certainly hope to revisit soon.

In addition, you can get to the beautiful rock pools at the bottom of the cliff though I advise plenty of caution as the climb down can be quite treacherous (certainly not helped by the signs warning of the risk of limestone collapse).

Another interesting point, keep a close lookout for the tonnes of small crabs and other marine life that inhabit the pools.

In addition, there are several high points that offer a panoramic, birds eye view of the surrounding waters.


Point Peron Battery

Coincidentally, the highest point happens to be the observation post for the World War 2 vintage Point Peron Battery, which once housed gun batteries to protect Perth.

These are currently in a state of disrepair, though there are plans to restore at least some of the installations.

Observation Post

Remains of gun battery

Merredin Military Museum and Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum

Exploring Western Australia can be a real drag when you find yourself driving long stretches between locales with nary to see save your fellow travellers, an occasional cow and in summer, our friendly flies.

The trick is to find the little attractions in between, to break up the monotony that can excite, revitalise and perhaps educate.

For starters, let's look at the Wheatbelt. 

Whether travelling through Western Australia's breadbasket on the way to Kalgoorlie or exploring the region for its own merits, there are certainly a number of attractions to see and do.

These include wildflowers in spring, Wave Rock and numerous heritage sites.

What I would like to focus on are the Merredin Military Museum as well as the Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum, both of which touch on the rich history of the region and offer a little something for the military enthusiast. 

Merredin Military Museum

Located along the Great Eastern Highway about 256 kilometres from Perth, the Merredin Military Museum is hard to miss with the large cannon right at its doorstep.

The museum offers a range of military equipment that dates back beyond World War 2, providing a window into Merredin's role in the defence of Australia.

These include a Vietnam War era Huey helicopter, a number of World War 2 era tanks, a collection of military support vehicles and weapons.

As an added bonus for the military enthusiast, there is a rare Universal Carrier with a 2 pounder cannon, though it has seen better days.

Other vehicles include another Universal Carrier, a Valentine Tank, M3 Stuart and a M3 Grant. 

Universal Carrier	M3 Stuart
M3 Grant
Valentine Tank	Cannon at the gates
Collection of small arms	Universal Carrier with 2 pounder

Entry was less than A$15 for my five year old son and I. Your mileage may differ if you're travelling in a large group or are a student or pensioner.

The Museum is open Monday to Fridays from 10am to 3pm. Call 0429 411 204 to confirm or to arrange a visit on the weekend.

In addition, the Merredin Railway Museum is just a literal stones throw away, giving you the opportunity to explore further without driving.

Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum

Just 90 kilometres north of Merredin, the Nungarin Heritage Machinery and Army Museum offers a further dose of history.

Do not be put off by the rusting hulks at the entrance or if the gates are locked during opening hours, the real treasures are located within the large warehouse while the curator lives just a couple of metres away. 

There is a large range of exhibits within including historic artefacts, toys, one of the first advertised washing machines, agricultural tractors and of course military vehicles. 

Curator Les is a treasure trove of information and more than willing to regale you with the history of the region and I have to say that I genuinely enjoyed chatting with him.

M3 Stuart	Staghound Armoured Car
Remains of Valentine Tank	Wrecked M3 Grant
Some important numbers here	Old washing machine

Entry was A$5 for me and free for my young fellow traveller. Again, your mileage may differ.

Opening hours are Mondays to Fridays, 9 am to 12 noon and 2 pm to 5 pm.
Phone: 08 9046 5108


Just the tip of the iceberg

It is worth noting that these are just two of many attractions in the region.

To break up the drive from Perth, you could drop by the town of Northam, where the annual Avon Descent in September begins, or stop by The Big Camera - Photographic Museum in Meckering, which sadly I couldn't explore due to a certain cranky five year old in the car.

Some other locations can be found here.

http://www.wheatbelttourism.com/heritage-the-arts/historic-sites-and-buildings-in-the-wheatbelt/

So if you're travelling in the region, make it a point to include these museums in your itinerary as the curators are ageing and given their locations away from Perth, I have genuine concerns about the long term future of the museums.