DFES Education & Heritage Centre image

DFES Education & Heritage Centre

Tourist attraction β€’ Museum β€’ Heritage museum β€’ Education center β€’ Heritage building β€’ Childrens museum

πŸ‘ Stopped by when I was passing and noticed it was free to enter. This looks to be the old Fire Station that was refurbished to a museum. The top floor was quite informative, talking about natural disaster and house fires and how to be safe. There was even a small climbing wall. The downstairs had fir... People often mention fire, kids, museum, great, volunteers, time, engines, volleys,


Address

25 Murray St, Perth WA 6000, Australia

Website

www.dfes.wa.gov.au

Contact

+61 8 6381 1110

Rating on Google Maps

4.70 (137 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Tuesday: 10β€―am to 3β€―pm
  • Wednesday: 10β€―am to 3β€―pm
  • Thursday: 10β€―am to 3β€―pm
  • Friday: Closed
  • Saturday: Closed
  • Sunday: Closed
  • Monday: Closed

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: fire (17) kids (12) museum (9) great (9) volunteers (8) time (7) engines (6) volleys (6)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 4/5 Benedict U. 6 years ago on Google β€’ 3327 reviews
    Stopped by when I was passing and noticed it was free to enter. This looks to be the old Fire Station that was refurbished to a museum. The top floor was quite informative, talking about natural disaster and house fires and how to be safe. There was even a small climbing wall. The downstairs had fire engines you could get into. They also had gear for the kids to put on. There was also a room that had more artefacts. Not a bad place to stop by especially if you have kids.
    3 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Ayaka I. 4 years ago on Google β€’ 475 reviews
    Great place to take whoever loves fire engines! The educational exhibition helps us understand the historical natural hazards and the efforts of rescue authorities. Kids were extremely happy at climbing up a real fire trucks in a helmet and costume!
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 3/5 Sophie J. 2 years ago on Google
    We went because my 2 year old son loves fire engines. I write this review with honest feedback as there were some pros and cons. I also write this from a business developer point of view as there are things that could be tightened up to improve the overall experience. Pros. Free entry, well maintained and enthusiastic volleys. Lots if history, great building and not to over whelming. Cons. I'm so sorry to say but the volunteers were 'too much' They are obviously very passionate about what they do which is fabulous, however they are very persistent and often repeating the same information. For example, 3 volleys pulled us to the windows to show us the horses names written outside on the floor in remembence of the horses. This is just one example but it happened multiple times. The volleys wander round the whole museum unaware of what information you've already been told or seen, then they go all over it again. Often pulling you in directions that you've been too or weren't planning to go to. I had one lovely lady who almost showed us round the whole museum but was unable to pick up that my 2 year old son was uncomfortable with strangers. To make matters a little more annoying she was then telling me not to push him to do anything he doesn't want to I.e wear the fire clothes or get in the fire engine. Truth was he would, but didn't want to do it with someone he didn't know around. The volley told me around 5 times what to do with my son. I feel bad writing this but there are a few things I would recommend to rectify this. Have volleys stationed in each room. This way people can wander as they please without the worry of being fed repeated information. If people are interested in a certain object then approach them and give them information. Don't take visitors on a tour if they don't request it. Especially if they have little ones as they often are the ones to dictate where they want to go. Have one person on entry welcoming visitors. But keep it short. The volleys almost have TMI that it becomes overwhelming very quickly. To be honest I left early. I found the volunteers too much and were over whelming for my little one. He just wanted to hang with mumma and nanna. I think if the volleys toned it down and had some guidance/structure it would be a much more enjoyable experience.
    2 people found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 4/5 Dominic M. 6 years ago on Google β€’ 155 reviews
    My son loved it and we had a great time inside the de-commissioned fire engine and looking at the older models. Only issue is the limited operating hours.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 David C. 6 years ago on Google β€’ 149 reviews
    Interesting museum in the old fire station great place for kids very good displays and photo's, well worth a visit
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Kay P. 4 years ago on Google β€’ 104 reviews
    Really great place to learn about fire engines. There is a fire truck for adults and kids to sit in and experience dressing up like one too. It is a small place and can go round the whole place in 30 min. There is a play area for kids to read and colour in. The whole place is run by volunteers and they do a fantastic job.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Laetitia P. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 32 reviews
    We randomly stopped as we were visiting the area and man, we were not disappointed. The building is beautiful inside and out and our guide Randall was the very best 😊 We were told lots of fascinating history but also funny stories about the fire fighters. Can't wait for my son to be old enough to bring him there, dress up and hop on the truck for a great picture. Also and for working parents, the place is open the first and third Saturday of every month πŸ‘ŒπŸ½
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Elena Z. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolute gem! Lovely little museum for the ones who are excited about the fire engines and the work of fire fighters. Entrance is free. Kids can get into a real fire engine and try on some helmets. Staff is superfriendly. We were visiting while there were a group of kids from school and their guide made it really interesting for the kids. There are also some books and puzzles to read and do with the younger ones. Strongly recommend to visit if you are in the city with kids.
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘

  • 5/5 Munro S. 10 months ago on Google β€’ 363 reviews
    Great building. Excellent and interesting history of firefighting in Perth - totally worth checking out, regardless of your age. Free! Upstairs there are informative displays about various emergency situations such as floods or storms. If you're able, go to the upstairs balcony and learn about the background of the fig tree!

  • 4/5 victoria f. 9 months ago on Google β€’ 175 reviews
    Fun free museum exploring the 1901 Fire Station. Everybody enjoyed sitting in the fire engine. Entertainment best suited to little children but kept my boys ages 11 and 13 busy for 45 minutes.

  • 5/5 Kim M. 6 months ago on Google β€’ 17 reviews
    Excellent place to visit.. very friendly volunteers to help you on entering. Randall was excellent and very friendly Able to try on old uniforms..and the whole place is an experience. If you get the chance to visit them do so Free admission today

  • 5/5 Skippy P. 1 year ago on Google
    Nicely done, lots of heritage, working engines, had a fantastic time. Special thanks to the enthusiastic, knowledgeable and generous volunteers.

  • 5/5 Thomas M. 1 year ago on Google
    Great exhibition and enthusiastic volunteers who gave us a personal tour of the premises. Brilliant end to our last day in Australia!

  • 5/5 Robert S. 2 years ago on Google
    This is a wonderful little museum with such great staff who help to explain the exhibits. Thank you for the experience. A great education for the kids.

  • 5/5 Patricia l. 1 year ago on Google
    One of the best museums I have been to in Australia. So close to the center of the city, but no many people know about it. Free museum run by volunteers, who have all worked in the industries and have a passion for sharing the knowledge and educating people about protecting themselves and loved ones in a emergency situation.

  • 5/5 Kirsty G. 1 year ago on Google
    Highly recommend. The volunteers are so lovely and knowledgeable, and our 3 year old had such a good time dressing up and sitting in the fire truck, and exploring upstairs. Very educational too.

  • 5/5 Claire L. 1 year ago on Google
    My son absolutely LOVED his visit - as did we!! Staff were so friendly and welcoming. Great for adults and children! Best of all, it’s FREE! Highly recommend!!

  • 4/5 Sian Le B. 1 year ago on Google
    An amazing excursion that was unfortunately dampened somewhat by a volunteer with a lack of customer service skills. We visited in a group today but it was apparent from the offset that despite previous notification of our attendance, we were an inconvenience. The children had a great time exploring and Randall was abundant with information and his passion was infectious. The female volunteer I previously mentioned however, left a sour taste in many of our mouths.

  • 5/5 Michelle van W. 4 years ago on Google
    Our kids enjoyed this trip very much. Exhibition and displays are excellent.

  • 5/5 Chris C. 2 years ago on Google
    A well cared for museum in a lovely heritage building. There is lots to do and explore. Great that it is free for everyone. Kids had a good time; as did I.

  • 5/5 Jake S. 2 years ago on Google
    Wonderful venue and some great exhibits for the kids too. We went on a Saturday and there was an amazing young guy from the SES who took loads of time to speak with my kids.

  • 5/5 Wendy D. 1 year ago on Google β€’ 1 review
    What a wonderful interactive place with such friendly, helpful and informative staff. I'm not normally someone who writes reviews but I was so impressed by this place I just wanted to shout out about it. I took my 3 young children here and they had the best time trying on the uniforms, sitting in the fire engine and having a go on the climbing wall. Keep up the good work!
    1 person found this review helpful πŸ‘


Call +61 8 6381 1110 Open on Google Maps

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