Step inside Pompeii and discover life in the ancient city before the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago.
Pompeii is an extraordinary new multi-sensory immersive experience that combines a spectacular 360-degree recreation of the volcanic eruption with more than 90 objects from the ancient city.
Sessions are filling fast so please book tickets before you visit.
Consider other ways of getting here, like taking the bus, cycling or walking from the city, as our car park may be full.
Book early
Plan ahead
Read our top five tips for visiting the Pompeii exhibition.
Discover our special Pompeii shop, inspired by the seaside and Italian food, design and fashion.
Inside the lost city of Pompeii
Pompeii is eternally fascinating. The eruption of the volcano of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE destroyed the Roman city, but also preserved it.
For almost 300 years, excavations have been revealing what life was like in Pompeii. New excavations in the archaeological park set out to preserve, stabilise and better understand new areas of the ancient city.
Ancient treasures and immersive exhibition
Archaeologists continue to make extraordinary new discoveries – large houses with elaborate frescoes and mosaic floors, household objects and a snack bar with food still in pots.
Pompeii is the first time some of these newly discovered objects have been seen outside Europe.
Visitors will see stunning frescoes, jewellery, sculptures, pottery and other intriguing objects representing everyday life.
Advice to visitors
The Pompeii exhibition features loud noises and changing light levels. The gallery darkens every 15 minutes for a reenactment as Mount Vesuvius erupts.
Visitors may bring noise-cancelling headphones or visit during quiet hours sessions from February 2025.
The exhibition also includes copies of casts of some of the victims of the 79 CE eruption.
If you have any questions, please speak to our friendly Hosts.
Exhibition highlights
Pompeii partners
POMPEII is an exclusive collaboration with the Parco Archeologico di Pompei in Italy, the Grand Palais and GEDEON Experiences in France and the National Museum of Australia.
The original Pompeii Immersive is produced by Réunion des Musées Nationaux – Grand Palais and GEDEON Experiences with the collaboration of the Parco Archeologico di Pompei.
Pompeii is on show at the National Museum of Australia in Canberra from 13 December 2024 to 4 May 2025.
Pompeii ticket prices
| Type | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult (16+) | $25 |
| Concession | $20 |
| Child (5–16 years) | $12.50 |
| Family (2 adults, 2 children) | $62.50 |
| Child (0–4 years) | Free |
| Friends adult | $17.50 |
| Friends child | Free |
| Friends Exhibition Member | Free |
Friends benefits
Friends receive discounted exhibition entry. Upgrade to Exhibition Member and enjoy unlimited access to Pompeii, plus a free ticket to bring a buddy along.
Gift tickets
Treat family and friends with a Pompeii exhibition gift ticket.
Gift tickets are redeemable during Museum opening hours, any day until 4 May 2025. The exhibition is subject to capacity limits and wait times for entry may apply. Ticket is not transferable and not refundable.
If you miss your session
If you miss your timed ticketing session during the busy holiday period your ticket is valid until close of business that day. Please see our wonderful Hosts who will help you visit the exhibition as soon as possible.
If you need to move your session to another day please email tickets@nma.gov.au to request a new time.
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Pompeii: Inside the Lost City school excursions
3 February to 2 May 2025
Monday to Friday
Years 7–12
$15 per student, accompanying adults free
How has archaeological evidence shaped our understanding of everyday life in ancient Pompeii?
In this educator-led excursion, students will experience the catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius that buried Pompeii in 79 CE, destroying the ancient city but also preserving it as a remarkable record of daily life.
Large-scale digital projections, a captivating soundscape and the display of more than 90 objects from the Parco Archeologico di Pompei will immerse students in this once thriving Roman city.
Pompeii immersive experience
Students will investigate key features of Roman society as they wander the virtual streets of Pompeii, encountering frescoes, statues and graffiti, as well as smaller items such as jewellery and even some carbonised bread.
As part of this program, students will:
- Answer inquiry questions and reflect critically on the roles played by different groups in Roman society, such as women, slaves and the family.
- Participate in a collaborative, hands-on activity to develop their understanding of the beliefs, values and practices that shaped life in Pompeii.
- Learn about the history of archaeological work in Pompeii and consider how and why historical interpretations have shifted over time.
- Share their ideas and opinions about the value and reliability of historical sources, and the continuing relevance of the study of ancient societies.
Please note: This exhibition is highly sensory and includes the display of casts of bodies. See accessibility for a sensory map and more to help plan your visit for students with sensory processing support and other needs.
In the classroom
Download our free Pompeii teacher resource with classroom activities and curriculum links for years 7 to 12.
- Download Pompeii teacher resource67.0 kb pdf [ PDF | 67.0 kb ]
Additional resources
Buy your copy of The Museum magazine, dedicated to Pompeii and with a range of articles with useful information for students and teachers.
Canberra – there’s more than they’re telling us
Discover a city where world-class art and culture meet a thriving food and wine scene.
Accompany your craving for ancient world history with culinary delights, hidden bars, museums and galleries. Or wander along Canberra’s iconic Lonsdale Street in Braddon for boutique shopping.
Just a 35-minute drive from the city centre, explore the nearby cool-climate wine region, home to 140 vineyards and more than 40 wineries.
Canberra offers more than you expect and is ready to welcome you.
Plan your stay at VisitCanberra.
Meet our accommodation partner
Make your visit to the Pompeii exhibition truly unforgettable by staying at one of ALL.com’s exceptional hotels in Canberra.
Offering a diverse range of hotels, resorts, and apartments, delivering premium experiences and exceptional service. Enjoy unparalleled hospitality.
Book your next unforgettable stay at ALL.com.
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Celebrate art, culture and connection, with creative activities for children and families, fascinating talks, world-class performances, festivals and evening events that bring our Pompeii exhibition to life.
Coming up
Be swept away to the south of Italy for an evening of culture and cuisine in our stunning Gandel Atrium. 14 Mar 25, costs apply
Join us in Pompeii for a quiet hours session with reduced noise and sensory experiences, on the first Tuesday of March and April.
Travel back in time to the vibrant world of ancient Pompeii through age-appropriate play. For children aged 2–5 years with an accompanying adult.
Spotlight conversations – Pompeii: A living heritage
Visitors joined us for a special conversation to mark the opening of Pompeii, for a discussion about the ancient past and the living legacy of this fascinating city.
Missed out or want to hear this conversation again? Keep an eye on ABC Radio National's Big Ideas in early 2025 for a special broadcast of this event.
It featured Virginia Trioli, journalist, broadcaster and author, in conversation with:
- Professor Steven Ellis, Classics and Roman Archaeology, University of Cincinnati
- Dr Sophie Hay, Press and Communications Officer, Parco Archeologico di Pompei
- Dr Lily Withycombe, Curator, National Museum of Australia
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Advice to visitors
The Pompeii exhibition features a representation of a volcanic eruption using large-scale projections and soundscapes. It happens every 15 minutes and involves loud noises and changing light levels.
Sensory map
The sensory map can help you plan your visit. It identifies the locations of large-scale projections, overhead speakers and potentially distressing content. It also includes the location of exhibition seating.
- Download Pompeii exhibition sensory map329.6 kb pdf [ PDF | 329.6 kb ]
Audio-described objects
Hear audio description and exhibition labels for 20 key objects in the Pompeii exhibition. For visitors with additional vision needs. Listen now
Hearing loop
All documentary videos have an associated hearing loop, use the ‘T’ switch for direct transmission. Hearing loop locations are identified on the sensory map.
Quiet hours
Visitors who prefer a quieter experience can visit during quiet hours. Book a quiet hours session with reduced noise and sensory experiences in the exhibition from 4pm to 6pm on 4 March or 1 April.
Content warning
The exhibition includes copies of casts of some of the victims of the 79 CE eruption. They represent 4 people (3 adults and 1 child) and a dog in their final moments.
Seating
Seating is available in the exhibition and is identified on the sensory map.
Pass outs
Pass-out wristbands are available from our Host team if you need a break from the exhibition. These allow re-entry to the exhibition on the same day only.
Sensory components
More about the immersive experience
The eruption happens every 15 minutes and involves loud noises and changing light levels. The effect is focused on the central part of the exhibition and the total run time of the eruption is less than 1 minute. The least affected part of the exhibition is the first section, which does not have any large-scale projections.
What to expect during the eruption:
- 0–24 seconds: rumbling and ash cloud on volcano projection only
- 24–30 seconds: raining ash on all screens
- 30–38 seconds: ash cloud sweeps through gallery, starting at volcano projection and extending to surrounding walls
- 38–45 seconds: exhibition in darkness
- 45–50 seconds: exhibition slowly returns to its original state.
Please note that timings are approximate.
Video content
All documentary video content is subtitled and includes a timer in the bottom right corner that indicates the total length the video and how much time is left.
Audio content
The exhibition features many audio components using overhead directional speakers. Sound-sensitive visitors may wish to bring noise-cancelling headphones or use disposable ear plugs that are available from the Information Desk.
Light levels
Apart from the interactive eruption, light levels in the exhibition are consistent. The only major changes are at the entry (bright to dark) and the exit into the exhibition shop (dark to bright).
More on accessibility at the Museum
Plan your visit and find information about parking, toilets and more on accessibility at the Museum.
The National Museum of Australia acknowledges First Australians and recognises their continuous connection to Country, community and culture.