The Kimberley region is a place of raw, untamed beauty – one of the world’s last truly wild frontiers. While its rugged landscapes captivate the eye, its underwater secrets remain largely hidden. In 2023, the Kimberley Reef Connect project set out to change this.

Partnering with the Wunambal Gaambera people and Parks Australia, the mission was simple: explore and better understand the biodiversity and cultural value of the Uunguu Wundaagu Indigenous Protected Area and North Kimberley Marine Reserves.

Over 10 days, a team of eight scientists from the Western Australian Museum and Curtin University joined Wunambal Gaambera Uunguu Rangers to survey 22 sites in northern Kimberley’s wild waters – some never explored before in the Kimberley Marine Park.

Together, they uncovered new insights into the interconnectedness of this remarkable seascape – its rich life, its deep cultural roots, and the urgent need to protect it.

Protecting the reefs of the Kimberley means preserving the delicate balance of species and habitats that sustain this wild and remarkable ecosystem—its future lies in our hands.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander visitors are advised that this exhibition may contain the names, images, voices and works of people who have passed. Please also note one of the showcases contains baler shells with depictions of Wanjina.