Culture & History

This small island holds a rich history. From ancient artefacts deep in the earth to military defence structures that watch over the sea and bunker into the ground. This is no ordinary island. 

Dating back to tens of thousands of years ago when Noongar people occupied the land, the island’s stories are all imbued with deep meaning. The name itself - Wadjemup - tells the story of its cultural significance to the island’s Traditional Owners, referring to a place across the water where the spirits go. 

As you begin to learn the history of the island, you will hear (and read) it told with truth and deep reflection. Used as a prison for Aboriginal men and boys — many of whose bodies still lay beneath the sands — the structures they built while held as prisoners still stand on the island today. The Old Mill & Hay Store, now housing the Wadjemup Museum, is one of these heritage structures, now considered an essential gateway to the island.

When you take the time to walk through the museum displays — weaving through military, maritime, and Aboriginal history — you take the knowledge to each place you visit. Oliver Hill, with its maze of underground military tunnels and powerful gun battery. Wadjemup Lighthouse, first constructed in 1849 to keep sailors safe in the surrounding seas. Lomas Cottage, Bickley Battery, and beyond. These places hold the stories that are calling to be remembered.