A world-first collection of Terracotta Warriors is coming to WA

Taylah Darnell Taylah Darnell
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The major exhibition marks a first for Australia and the world.

One of the world’s most significant art collections is coming to Australia this June – and it’s not Renoir or Picasso. In a global first, collaborating with China’s Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Centre and the Emperor Qin Shi Huang Mausoleum, the WA Museum Boola Bardip presents Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor.

The monumental exhibition will feature over 225 authentic artefacts from the original archaeological site in China, including an assembly of the Terracotta Warriors themselves. It’s a historic occasion that marks a major milestone in the arts, not only for the Perth institution and the state of Western Australia, but for the world, too.

What makes this exhibition a global first?

Art enthusiasts and history buffs may be shaking their heads right now, so let’s clear up the details. While it’s true that a handful of objects from the Terracotta Warriors have made it Down Under before, it has never featured in a project of this scale.

China's Terracotta Warriors
The exhibition marks a first for Australia and the world. (Image: Getty Images/DNDavis)

As part of its Terracotta Warriors: Guardians Of Immortality exhibition in 2019, Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria displayed eight warriors and two horses from the collection, as well as two replica chariots. However, the majority of artefacts within the WA Museum Boola Bardip’s upcoming exhibition have not been to Australia. In fact, just under half of them have never even left China.

WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, Western Australia
The WA Museum Boola Bardip will host the world-first exhibition. (Image: Tourism Western Australia)

But the real clincher? These ancient artefacts and intricate clay figures will be joined by a never-before-seen range of recently excavated objects. The items have remained hidden from the world until now, and Australians will be the first people to witness them on public display. No other exhibition has gathered the Terracotta Warriors and their related relics in such depth and scale  – and that’s what makes it so special.

What else can I expect from the exhibition?

For some, seeing the warriors up close will be enough. Unearthed by chance in 1974, the life-sized soldiers (accompanied by horses, chariots, infantrymen and a variety of weapons) date back over 2200 years and are often referred to as the Eighth Wonder of the World.

The collection, which numbers in the thousands, symbolises an important part of Chinese history, providing a rare and invaluable glimpse into the world of China’s first emperor, Qin Shi Huang. It also offers a direct insight into major societal systems such as the military and its structure, as well as more ordinary things like artistic techniques and daily life at the time.

China's Terracotta Warriors
The warriors are considered the unofficial Eighth Wonder of the World. (Image: Getty Images/Nikada)

But for those keen to delve deeper, there’s more to this exhibition than meets the eye. An immersive program has been designed to captivate and excite, featuring everything from large-scale projections and interactive experiences to behind-the-scenes tours and informative panel talks. Don’t miss Jade Nights each Friday, an after-dark event with live music, cultural performances and more.

Terracotta Warriors: Legacy of the First Emperor will run from 28 June 2025 to 22 February 2026 at the WA Museum Boola Bardip in Perth, Western Australia. Tickets are on sale now for $30 per person, with concession, senior and family rates available. Kids under four enter for free.

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Taylah Darnell
Taylah Darnell is Australian Traveller's Writer & Producer. She has been passionate about writing since she learnt to read, spending many hours either lost in the pages of books or attempting to write her own. This life-long love of words inspired her to study a Bachelor of Communication majoring in Creative Writing at the University of Technology Sydney, where she completed two editorial internships. She began her full-time career in publishing at Ocean Media before scoring her dream job with Australian Traveller. Now as Writer & Producer, Taylah passionately works across both digital platforms and print titles. When she's not wielding a red pen over magazine proofs, you can find Taylah among the aisles of a second-hand bookshop, following a good nature trail or cheering on her EPL team at 3am. While she's keen to check out places like Scotland and North America, her favourite place to explore will always be her homeland.
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Off-grid stays and farm-to-plate dining: discover the ultimate guide to Denmark, WA

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Trade early morning phone alarms and city chaos for bucolic serenity and gastronomic delights.

    Peaceful birdsong and coastal winds meet rolling green hills and turquoise waters; there’s no better place to start your day than in Western Australia’s Denmark. This picturesque coastal town, a 4.5-hour drive from Perth along the pristine Rainbow Coast, offers bucolic bliss in spades.

    A hidden retreat lies just a 10-minute drive from the town centre, inviting guests to slow down and connect with nature. At Heyscape Denmark, the ultimate refuge from the rat race and the perfect setting for a rural escape await.

    Whether it’s for a refreshing weekend away or a regenerative week-long sojourn, this idyllic pocket of the world will leave you feeling anew.

    Where to stay

    women on front deck at inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
    Make the most of outdoor baths. (Credit: Jarrad Seng)

    Located on the 880-acre Raintree Estate, Heyscape Denmark is an award-winning, off-grid cabin retreat ideal for anyone craving time in nature while also enjoying sustainable, luxury comfort. Just 15 are sensitively embedded in the rural environment, ensuring privacy and the perfect setting to switch off. Choose from one-bedroom, two-bedroom or 4-person cabins. Four-legged friends can also join in on the fun with pet-friendly cabins available.

    inside a cabin at heyscape denmar Western australia
    Check in, to check out.

    The modern accommodations are well-appointed with queen beds dressed in lush linen and pillows; a bathroom with a warm shower, flushable toilet and botanical shampoo and conditioner; and an indoor kitchenette with a Nespresso coffee maker. Outside, find timber decks with seating to spot resident kangaroos from, Heston Blumenthal barbecues for whipping up delicious meals using local produce, and outdoor baths to soak up incredible nighttime skies – Denmark’s lack of light pollution makes it an exceptional spot for stargazing and viewing the Milky Way. Floor-to-ceiling windows frame sweeping Great Southern Ocean, William Bay National Park and Karri tree views.

    Wellness is at the forefront of Heyscape Denmark with thoughtful touches including Note to Self prompts, gratitude cards and a botanical sleep spray ready to help you unwind. And for the ultimate weekend of R&R, two-bedroom cabins are fitted with saunas.

    Where to eat

    Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience
    Catch your own freshwater crayfish, then have a chef prepare it for you.

    The Great Southern region’s Mediterranean climate and nutrient-rich soils make for some of the most incredible produce in the world – and a stay at Heyscape Denmark lets you sample the very best of it. The estate farms over 200 black Angus cattle, marron – a freshwater crayfish endemic to the South-West of Western Australia –, hemp and French black truffle.

    Just steps from these cabins sits the estate’s paddock-to-plate restaurant, The Dam. Featuring lofty jarrah ceilings, polished concrete and expansive windows revealing calming dam views, it’s a stunning spot for lunch or dinner, alongside an outdoor playground to keep little ones happy and busy.

    Acclaimed chef Jason Jujnovich utilises ingredients from Raintree Estate’s regenerative farm in his hyper-local, Modern Australian menu. Seasonally changing dishes include the likes of wagyu beef lasagna and pistachio crumbed chicken cotoletta. Or join in for pizza night on a Friday, where the mushroom and truffle pizza is an easy winner.

    Meals are designed to be paired with sips from the property’s innovative Cannabis Botanical Distillery, which concocts house-made hemp spirits and seltzers using ingredients grown onsite. Taste unique drops such as the Sativa Gin with warm citrus and pepper notes and the Pineapple Passion seltzer.

    Another stand-out gastronomic offering is Heyscape’s Marron Catch & Cook Experience, which lets you hand-catch freshwater crayfish from the property’s pristine dams and have them prepared and cooked to perfection for you by chefs. Those wanting to enjoy a meal from the comfort of their cabin can fire up the barbecue and grill their fresh catch or order a gourmet dinner box with mouthwatering wagyu steak and antipasti against golden peaceful sunset views.

    Things to do

    Lights Beach denmark western australia
    Spend a day enjoying the idyllic Lights Beach. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    There’s no shortage of things to do in Denmark, and basing yourself at Heyscape Denmark puts you within easy access to it all. Nature lovers are spoiled with unbeatable spots for swimming and snorkelling, plus coastal hiking trails at William Bay National Park – a protected coastal reserve with approximately 1734 hectares of stunning landscapes ready to be explored.

    Hire an e-bike from the property and cycle just 15 minutes to the unbelievably clear waters and white sands of Greens Pools, a naturally sheltered beach. Or the idyllic Lights Beach, which features three beaches, dunes, natural wading pool and scenic walking trails. Keen surfers should turn their attention to Ocean Beach with its world-class surf breaks.

    aerial Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk
    Wander the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. (Credit: Tourism WA)

    Stroll past towering Karri and giant Red Tingle trees on the Valley of the Giants Tree Top Walk. The 600-metre walkway rises 40 metres above the ancient forest floor and meanders through the hardwood trees, endemic exclusively to the Great Southern region.

    Denmark is also a haven for creatives, and Butter Factory Studios is a must-stop on any itinerary. The contemporary art gallery, working artist studio and gift shop are housed within a historic building where workshops and exhibitions support and showcase creators from the region.

    With the winning trifecta of delicious food, a pristine environment, and secluded accommodation, Denmark proves to be the ultimate destination for relaxation.

    Book your Denmark adventure today at heyscape.com.au.