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Closure

The upper welcome entrance to First Australians is temporarily closed while we create a new space for more Australian stories.

The rest of the gallery is open across both levels.

The National Museum recognises that First Nations peoples may be referred to in a variety of ways, including as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, First Australians or Indigenous Australians.

First Australians is displayed over two floors and includes our powerful Talking Blak to History exhibition.

Explore the shared stories and experiences of First Nations peoples from across the continent in First Australians.

Welcome to Country 2:35

A welcome from our Ngunnawal, Ngunawal and Ngambri traditional custodians. View transcript

Life in the Torres Strait

Discover the history and vitality of Australia’s most northerly region.

More on the Torres Strait

Take a tour

First Australians tour

Learn about First Nations peoples, their history, culture and connection to Country on this daily guided tour. Bookings essential, costs apply.

What's on

Check our calendar for curator-led, Auslan-intepreted or audio-described First Australians gallery tours.

Explore more online

Basket 1:54

Lee Burgess on his connection to a cane basket from northern Queensland

Wooden container 2:24

Jilda Andrews on a special object that reconnects the women in her family

First Nations culture and history

Endeavour Voyage Explore the untold stories of James Cook and the First Australians.
Songlines: Tracking the Seven Sisters Explore art, Indigenous voices and innovative multimedia.
Old Masters: Australia's Great Bark Artists More than 120 works from key artists from Arnhem Land.

Defining Moments 1967 referendum panel discussion

Fifty years after the landmark 1967 referendum, has change truly come for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, or is it coming still?
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Presenters: Linda Burney, Andrea Mason, John Maynard and Ray Peckham with Paul Barclay
A painting

Main banner image: Leaving Your Mark on Country (detail), 2016, Libby Harward, painting and multimedia installation. National Museum of Australia

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