Tucked away in leafy Stirling Gardens in the heart of the city, the Old Court House Law Museum is one of Perth’s quieter cultural spots, and well worth a visit. It’s an easy, low-key outing for anyone who enjoys local history, heritage architecture, or simply a slower-paced morning in town.
Built in 1836, the Old Court House is recognised as the oldest building in Perth city. It was purpose-built as the legal hub of the Swan River Colony, but it soon became much more than a courthouse. It was also the main venue for early colonial social and civic life. For those of us who remember Perth when it was a far smaller and sleepier city, it’s remarkable to think this modest building has stood through almost two centuries of growth around it.
The centrepiece of the museum is the historic courtroom. Stepping inside, it’s easy to picture the proceedings that once took place there and to imagine daily life in the early colony. The room has a real sense of atmosphere, and history feels close at hand in a way a textbook can’t manage.
Across the museum you’ll find a collection of historical artefacts, photographs, documents and displays tracing how Western Australia’s legal system developed. There’s plenty to read along the way, with stories about the people, events and legal milestones that have shaped our state.
If you like taking your time with a good information panel, you’ll be in your element here. The museum is small enough to see comfortably in an hour or so without feeling rushed or worn out.
The museum also asks visitors to think about the impact of British colonisation, particularly on Aboriginal people and their long-established systems of law and justice. These stories add an important perspective on WA’s shared history and are likely to stay with you after you leave.
If you’re bringing the grandchildren along, there’s a fun dress-up area where young visitors can try on legal costumes and play judges and lawyers. It’s a lovely way to share a bit of history across the generations. The friendly museum staff are happy to answer questions and chat about the building’s past, so it’s worth asking them a question or two.
Accessibility and practical tips
The Main Courtroom is accessible to everyone. However, there are four steps up to the museum’s other three galleries. If steps are a problem, the museum has a free virtual tour so you can still see those spaces. It’s also a handy way to preview the museum before you go, or to revisit it afterwards from home.
There are no toilets inside the museum. The nearest public facilities are in the Supreme Court Gardens, so plan ahead. There’s only one ACROD parking bay right outside the museum, and the nearest public parking is at Council House. Since parking in the CBD can be costly and hard to find, public transport is worth considering. Elizabeth Quay train and bus stations are a short walk away, and Perth’s free CAT buses travel around the city centre.
Make a day of it
Entry is free, and donations are appreciated. The museum is run as a registered charity, so a small contribution helps keep its stories alive. That makes it an easy and inexpensive addition to a day in the city. After your visit, take a gentle stroll through Stirling Gardens and the neighbouring Supreme Court Gardens, which have plenty of shady spots to rest on a warm day. You could also continue on to Elizabeth Quay for lunch by the river, or follow a heritage walking trail past some of Perth’s other historic buildings nearby.
Whether you’re a history buff, a returning Perth local, or showing visiting friends and family around town, the Old Court House Law Museum offers a peaceful and thought-provoking glimpse into where our city’s story began.
Old Court House Law Museum
Stirling Gardens, corner of Barrack St and St Georges Terrace, Perth (next to the Supreme Court of Western Australia)
Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 4pm
Phone: (08) 9324 8688
Entry: Free (donations welcome)
Website: Old Court House Law Museum
