Visual story

Visiting the Museum

A visual story is a guide that helps visitors to plan their trip

This visual story tells you what to expect when you visit the Museum. Museum staff are here to assist you and to ensure you have a great experience.

Download the visual story for the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre or visit the webpage for more information.

If you need more information or have questions or feedback about visual stories, please email: accessprograms@nma.gov.au, free call 1800 026 132 or phone: +61 2 6208 5000

About the Museum

At the Museum, you can see intriguing objects and discover the stories of people and events that have shaped Australia.

Where is the Museum?

The Museum is located on the Acton Peninsula, on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin, in Canberra.  You can find us on maps apps or on the internet by searching for ‘National Museum of Australia’. Here is a simple map showing our location.

Bringing your own bag

Construction works

Arriving

Arriving at the Museum

When you arrive by car, you will see a sign for the National Museum of Australia. The lower half of the sign will often display details of a current exhibition.

Drive past the sign, then turn LEFT into the car park.

If you park in the car park Monday to Friday, you will need to buy a ticket. The ticket machines look like this.

You can purchase a ticket from one of these machines or pay for your parking through a mobile app. There are instructions on the machines. Visit nma.gov.au/visit#getting-here for current parking rates and to download the parking app.

Accessible parking

Accessible parking spaces are available at the end of the car park closest to the main entrance. Visitors who have a disability parking permit can park in these spaces for free.

Other ways to get to the Museum

You can also walk, ride a bicycle or catch a bus to the Museum. For more information, visit nma.gov.au/visit#getting-here.

Entering the Museum

To get from the car park to the main entrance, you will go through the Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden. You can find more information about the Kennedy Garden at nma.gov.au/visit/christina-and-trevor-kennedy-garden.

The main entrance looks like this. The large sign above the door will tell you about a current exhibition.

Gandel Atrium

When you enter through the main doors, you will come into the Gandel Atrium. It looks like this.

Information Desk

The Information Desk is located in the Gandel Atrium. There will be hosts here to assist you.

At the Information Desk,  you can:

• get information, including maps and timetables
• buy tickets for exhibitions, tours and other experiences
• leave your bag, umbrella or jacket
• ask for help.

Inside the Museum

There are people throughout the Museum who can help you.

Museum hosts

You will see hosts all around the Museum. They will all be wearing the same uniform. Our hosts are friendly and ready to assist you. They can:

• help you find your way
• give you information about displays
• answer your questions.

Museum security

You will also see security staff throughout the building. You can ask security staff for help if:

• you need first aid
• you are hurt or feeling sick
• you are lost
• you have lost something
• you can’t find someone
• you feel unsafe.

Galleries

The Museum has two kinds of galleries: permanent galleries, where exhibitions are on display for a long time, and temporary galleries, where exhibitions change regularly. The entrance to the permanent galleries looks like this:

The permanent galleries you can visit are:

• Great Southern Land
• First Australians

The Museum has three temporary galleries:

• Temporary gallery (a large gallery that is accessed from the Gandel Atrium)
• Studio gallery (a small gallery that is accessed from the Gandel Atrium)
• Focus gallery (a small gallery located within the First Australians gallery).

For information on temporary exhibitions, visit nma.gov.au/whats-on

When you are in the galleries, you can:

• talk in a quiet voice
• look at the displays
• touch interactive displays.

You cannot:

• have food or drink
• carry large bags or umbrellas.

Concessions

Many of our exhibitions are free, but costs apply for some temporary exhibitions. Concessions are available for:

• seniors cardholders (all states and territories)
• international visitors over 60 years old
• international student cardholders
• Australian student cardholders
• Centrelink Health Care Card holders
• Centrelink Pensioner Concession Card holders
• Australian Veteran Gold Card holders.

Facilities

Toilets

Unisex accessible toilets, baby change tables and ambulant toilets are available on all levels of the Museum.

The Museum has the ACT’s first Changing Places change room, with a fully accessible public toilet, adult change table and hoist. It is located on the lower ground floor.

Faith and Quiet Room

The Museum has a Faith and Quiet Room. You can use it for:

• prayer
• time out.

It is located on the first floor, above the entrance to the First Australians gallery.

The Museum Cafe

The Museum Cafe can be accessed from the Gandel Atrium. If it is too noisy, you can sit outside or order your food to take away. For more information, including a menu, visit nma.gov.au/visit#cafe

The Museum Shop

The Museum Shop is located in the Gandel Atrium. For more information, visit nma.gov.au/visit#shop.

Friends Lounge

The Friends Lounge is a quiet place for Museum Friends to relax. You can become a member online at nma.gov.au/join-support/memberships.

Outside the Museum

The Museum has beautiful outdoor spaces:

• Christina and Trevor Kennedy Garden
• Garden of Australian Dreams
• Lakeside Amphitheatre.

For more information