Batavia’s story captured in WA Museum’s first ebook

The Western Australian Museum has launched a brand new innovative experience, an interactive ebook, and has chosen the story of the Batavia to be the first story it tells through the medium.

Batavia 1629: National Heritage Listed Place Guide was released on September 9, and tells the story of the Dutch ship which wrecked at the Houtman Abrolhos Islands, the mutiny and massacre that followed, and the exploration of the wreck over the last 50 years.

“The historic, significance of the Batavia sites is extraordinary, and represents some of the earliest European contact with Australia,” Western Australian Museum CEO Alec Coles said.

“This ebook will help people better understand the Batavia story, and the importance of protecting this evidence.”

The ebook includes 3D models, animation, images and audio-visual content, which will give readers a deeper appreciation for artefacts collected by the museum, WA Museum head of culture and communities Catherine Belcher said.

“We’re really thrilled with how much information we’ve been able to put in the ebook for new audiences.”

The museum hopes the ebook will be a companion for tourists travelling to the Abrolhos.

“We know tourism operators want that information to create memorable experiences of the islands, and we know, with more visitors to the island, that we want people to be aware of Batavia’s significance,” Ms Belcher said.

The ebook is free from the museum’s website.