Welcome Walls

Located adjacent to the Western Australia Maritime Museum, the Migrant Welcome Walls serve as a lasting tribute to the thousands of migrants who have come to Western Australia to make a new life for themselves and their families. In February of 2004, as part of the celebrations of the 175th anniversary of European settlement, the State Government announced plans to concretely recognize all those who have contributed to Western Australia culture and society throughout its history. Now, over three years later, a total of 16,794 names can be found on the Welcome Walls. These extraordinary engraved structures record the name of the migrant, the ship of passage, and the year of arrival of all those individuals who have entered Western Australia through Fremantle Port from as far back as the 1820’s. Families can come to the Welcome Walls to trace their heritage back to people who were among the first to embark on the difficult voyage to this country years ago, whether it be in the form of a convict, a gold rush treasure seeker, or simply one looking for a new life in an unfamiliar country. The Welcome Walls stand as an indelible reminder of these migrants, a thank you for their priceless contributions to the community of Fremantle and Western Australia as a whole.