WAnderland. Now THIS IS REALLY FUN!

Now THIS IS REALLY FUN – the brand new, just launched WAnderland website!

For the first time, thousands of rare and remarkable items in museums, cultural centres and private collections across Western Australia have been brought together in a new online portal.

You can tour the regions and see them all without moving from your lounge room reclining chair.

WAnderland is packed with hidden treasures and tales – from the cultured to the kitsch and everything in between. The website opens a doorway to WA’s fascinating regional collections – inspiring you to hit the road and experience them for yourself.

Discover the collections on your device and add things that intrigue you to an online itinerary planner, building a bespoke bucket list for your next real-life adventure.

Head upstairs above a Chinese restaurant in Broome to find an unexpected and mesmerising personal collection featuring items from five generations of the Yu family.

Experience the culture of WA’s diverse Aboriginal peoples at centres like Bilya Koort Boodia in Northam, where a bold and beautiful display of the region’s Ballardong Nyoongar culture is revealed through a mesmerising mix of projected video art, light and sound that evokes the Dreamtime.

Marvel at little-known places like the Dolly Mix in Esperance, which holds a huge collection of large dolls presented amongst swathes of red velvet and sparkling chandeliers.

The WAnderland project, led by the WA Museum, is the culmination of two years’ work and more than 10 weeks on the road. Project director Roz Lipscombe travelled with a photographer and regional writers across a third of Australia to identify and document rarely seen items from private and public collections.

WAnderland not only showcases locations and the surprising items you can see, but it shines a light on the people behind the collections. You’ll find interviews with some of the warmest and most knowledgeable people from across the State as they share their stories. The website, which can be found at www.visitwanderland.com.au, has written articles from collection owners and a series of five mini-documentaries, from Perth film producer Paul Barron.

So, crank up your device, pour yourself a cuppa and go touring!

While you’re here –