Commissariat Buildings

The Commissariat Buildings is a two-story limestone warehouse on Marine Terrace featuring prominent gable ends and walls made from layered rubble stone. The roof is covered in corrugated iron and the building now houses a maritime museum with collections of naval artifacts.

Construction began in 1852 under architect James Manning's design and it was among the first structures built by convicts in Western Australia. The building initially served as a government storehouse and has shaped the harbor area since its creation.

This building was originally a colonial storage facility but now serves as a museum for ships and maritime history. Visitors can see how the site transformed from a practical government storehouse into a place focused on remembering seafaring and shipwrecks.

The building is accessible on foot from Marine Terrace and sits near Fremantle's harbor area. Inside there are multiple galleries spread across different levels so plan to spend time exploring the various exhibition spaces.

The building originally served multiple purposes as a customs house, post office, and government stores office until 1977. This varied history shows how central it was to early colonial administration and daily operations.