In the Heritage Centre are several displays and a room dedicated to the history of Woomera. For a fee you can enter into a large display of missiles that were tested at the Woomera Range. The displays are well set up with information plaques. It also tells of the era when the USA operated a joint RAAF/USAF defense and communications satellite monitoring base here. Also in the HC is a bank, a souvenir shop and a cafeteria serving hot meals at reasonable prices. Outside is an outdoor park with different missiles on display, plus aircraft that were used as targets or observation. A very interesting look at missile and defense testing since WW2.
I've never seen a museum quite like this one and was surprised at what was on offer. The only downside was the lack of information on some exhibits - make that no information on some exhibits. But other than that, it's definitely worth seeing even if the town itself has the feel of a ghost town (population of less than 200 but enough housing for 10 times that many).
There are two separate museums in Woomera:* The History Museum - located in the ex-St Barbara's Church at Missile Park which is run (not-for-profit) by volunteers on behalf of the Woomera Board. This museum is mainly full of Range artifacts.* The Heritage Museum - located within the Heritage Centre which is (currently) run by Transfield Services. This museum has interesting displays of Range history.You need to see both as they compliment each other.I personally suggest visitors see the Heritage Museum first to gain an understanding of Woomera history, then visit the History Museum to see the equipment/displays to get a better appreciation of how it really was back in 'The Beginning'.
We stopped in Woomera as we were doing the drive back from the Red Centre to Perth. The town is a little ghost town but thats the appeal. I love that there are some late 50s early 60s buildings around like the old Woomera theatre but wow this little museum is a gem. Amazing interesting history about Woomera. I found it very fascinating about the British nuclear testing and Maralinga. My husband was in awe of the displays of all the old rockets/missiles etc.This museum is definitely worth the small amount of money it cost to get in. I only wish I could get near the old launch site and buildings as I have a fascnination with that era of architecture and especially abanoned buildings. There is just a lot of mystique surrounding the old nuclear testing grounds and I definitely recommend stopping in Woomera if you are doing the big drive and visiting this well planned out and informative museum.
We stopped here for a break from driving to find so much more than we had expected. We looked around the little township which a majority of is unused, but loved all the displays and the museum. We would stop again on our way through there and recommend others stop and take a look, you'll be surprised.
Interesting place to visit. Alot of examples of equipment used in the 50's and 60's. The missles make one realise the major part Aust played in the space program.
We made a stop here on our way from Port Augusta to Coober Pedy. The whole family loved it, and we certainly learnt a lot about the history of the area. The attached cafe was good with friendly service and great prices.
It was good to look at the history of how Woomera was established and how the Rocket Range was set up. The Museum was well set up and the exhibits were good. You did not need a guide as the exhibits had good explanations of the missiles and the history.
Having been a frequent visitor to Woomera ( a living museum in itself) I have seen the museum in the old location where the new visitor car park and static displays are and the current location co-located with the heritage centre. I found the old museum less structured but really interesting. The new location is augmented by more modern display (audio visual presentations, etc.) methods and is well worth the modest entry fee. The café serves great coffee and the milkshakes are good too. Having visited the museum you should visit the Heritage souvenir shop and purchase a copy of "Fire Across the Sky" a most comprehensive history of the range and its activities. And for another great read about opening the range and western exploration get any or all of Len Beadels. books.Woomera is well worth the detour on your trip north. The Eldo is a great Hotel/Motel and the caravan park has good facilities. too....so do yourself a favour, see the museum and take a break before your trip to Coober Pedy and all points to Darwin
Museum is the only place to really find out about the history of Woomera as its not possible to enter the prohibited area or see the rocket launch site which was possible 10 years ago. It has a lot of equipment, film and history and gives adults and children alike an insight into rockets, satellite, space testing programmes and the people of the community including the Americans and British and more recently the Japanese. Likewise an insight into living conditions, social and work scene and stories of the individuals who have shaped this nation through survey, exploration and science. Worth a visit! Not expensive either.