Shire of Wiluna Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre Overview

Shire of Wiluna Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre

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A stop on the edge of the desert

Wiluna is the southern gateway to the Canning Stock Route and the western gateway to the Gunbarrel Highway. The Canning-Gunbarrel Discovery Centre is housed inside the old Wiluna District Hospital and each room unpacks an historical element of the region. There is opportunity to learn about the homelands of Martu people and the survival skills they use in the harsh desert environment. Look out for the forbidden love story! Early explorers trekked through this region looking for water and opening the land for the cattle industry. The 1,850km Canning Stock Route is represented with the water holes along the route, labelled in English and Martu languages. The map also incorporates images of significant artworks of waterholes and other important places by Martu artists. The Centre is co-located with the Tjukurba Art Gallery at the back of the main building, where you can view and purchase beautiful artworks by Birriliburu artists.

Visit website

Address:

28 Scotia St
Wiluna WA 6646
Australia

Tel:

(08) 9981 8009

Email:

reception@wiluna.wa.gov.au

Opening Hours

Mon to Fri 9am - 4:00pm; Weekends by prior appointment.

Canning Stock Route signage

A stock route with a dark past

In the early 1900s the WA Government was looking for a new inland means of moving cattle between the Kimberley region and the south of the state. Alfred Canning was hired to survey the route, and...

Wati Kutjarra (two men of the dreamtime) by multiple artists

Follow the footsteps

This painting tells the story of Wadi Katjurra - of two dreamtime men walking through Country, depicted as two sets of footprints. The work was first started on the red dust of Ululla Station (an...

Warri's spear thrower

Star crossed lovers

This is the spear thrower owned by Warri, which was used up until he and Yatungka were brought in from the desert in the 1970s. In the 1930s Warri and Yatungka (both Martu) fell in love and eloped...

Nyabing Historical Society Inc.

Come and find out about the locally famous peach and steak pie!

An important location on the railway line, Nyabing's history is captured at the Settlers Hall. Built in 1915, the hall has been used as a school, Road Board offices, community hall and church. It was...

Norseman Historical Museum

A lucky horse finds gold and over a hundred years later a museum moves into the old School of Mines.

This museum has one of the most unusual and quirky items you will ever see - ask to see the typewriter keys! (Story below). Norseman Historical Museum celebrates the Goldfields, mining and local...

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A passion for horse racing

This is the perfect place to research local horse racing history. The Museum began after the Palace Hotel was renovated and a diverse collection of racing items were uncovered. The collection includes...

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A local collection housed in the historic old Courthouse or Gold fever, old geezers, heroes and bold pieces.

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