Calendar

Daily 75-minute sessions: 9.15am, 10.45am, 12.15pm, 2pm, 3.30pm
This fun, immersive play space is designed for children of all abilities aged 0 to 6 years. Every session includes free, child-led activities in our mini makers corner.

Saturdays and Sundays; daily during ACT school holidays from 6 to 21 July
Explore a day in the life of Antarctic scientists in this immersive virtual reality adventure, brought to you by the National Museum of Australia and the Western Australian Museum.

Saturdays and Sundays; daily during ACT school holidays from 6 to 21 July
Experience one of the greatest international scientific endeavours in history as you step onto Australia’s future site of the incredible Square Kilometre Array (SKA) telescope in an immersive 360-degree virtual reality cinema experience.

Journey to the land of the pyramids to discover the wonders of ancient Egypt in this must-see exhibition featuring more than 220 objects from the Dutch National Museum of Antiquities (Rijksmuseum van Oudheden).

First Tuesday of the month from March to September 2024, 4–6pm
Visit Discovering Ancient Egypt during one of our quiet hours sessions. Quiet hours sessions offer reduced noise and sensory experiences. Suitable for visitors who prefer smaller crowds and a quieter visit. Exhibition ticket costs apply.

Belonging: Stories from Far North Queensland is the third in a three-part exhibition series that captures generations of cultural knowledge shaped by a profound relationship to Country. Featuring works from Mossman Gorge, Weipa, Mapoon, Napranum, Wujal Wujal and Pormpuraaw.

This exhibition showcases the six new Olympic sports and disciplines of 3x3 basketball, BMX freestyle, breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing and surfing.

Opens 21 June 2024
See all the objects from the new Tony Armstrong ABC TV show, after Tony travelled across the country to meet everyday Australians with ordinary things that help reveal the untold story of our nation.

The language of song connects us all. Performing in Noongar language, from Western Australia, Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse sing from the heart. Dance along with us and enjoy storytelling through song at this free concert, in the lead up to NAIDOC Week.

Play free at the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre in recognition of NAIDOC Week. For children of all abilities from birth to 6 years.

8–10 July 2024, 10–11am and 11.30am–12.30pm
Be inspired by the new wave of Olympic sports and disciplines featured in our latest exhibition, Riding the Olympic Wave: Breakthrough Sports. Join exhibition muralist, Bohie Blackwood, and create your own medals based on six new sports. Suitable for ages 5–12 years. Accompanying adults free.

15–19 July 2024, 10am–12pm
Discover some of the newest Olympic sports at the 2024 Paris Olympics in our latest exhibition Riding the Olympic Wave: Breakthrough Sports, then paint your own surfboard key ring to take home. Suitable for ages 5–12 years. Accompanying adults free.

11 and 12 July 2024, 10–11.30am and 12.30–2pm
Be inspired by the new wave of Olympic sports and disciplines featured in our latest exhibition, Riding the Olympic Wave: Breakthrough Sports. Join exhibition muralist, Bohie Blackwood, to hone your stencilling skills and decorate your own skateboard deck. Suitable for ages 12–17 years.

Katherine McMahon has had a stellar career with large cultural institutions and was appointed as director in February 2024. Join us in July to hear Katherine's plans for the Museum. This Object Club will take place in Visions Theatre, not the Friends Lounge. Exclusive to Friends. Join Friends

This guided tour provides an excellent introduction to the Museum, exploring highlights from our permanent exhibition galleries.

Talking Blak to History in our First Australians gallery features powerful objects and stories that speak to the aftermath of colonisation, of survival and resilience.

On the hour between 10am and 4pm
Join a free 10-minute host talk in our Great Southern Land or First Australians galleries or the Garden of Australian Dreams.

10am
This guided tour provides an insight into the stories and meanings hidden in the Museum building, design and landscapes. Please wear appropriate footwear for walking outside.

3–4pm
Take a guided tour with one of our hosts to learn about First Nations peoples, their history, culture and connection to country.

Explore stunning objects and rich multi-sensory experiences as you discover the story of the vast, vibrant Australian continent. See how the continent has transformed into one of the most diverse and resilient places on Earth – and how these changes can guide us in the future.

First Tuesday of the month
Explore the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre in a quiet hours session for visitors who prefer a quieter experience. These sessions offer reduced noise and sensory experiences.

Daily at 9am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm
Traverse the vast, vibrant Australian continent on this tour of the Museum’s environmental history gallery, Great Southern Land.

Gina Williams and Guy Ghouse use their music and performance to highlight one of the world’s most beautiful and rare languages, the Noongar language of the southern corner of Western Australia. Join us in the lead up to NAIDOC Week for an enriching conversation with Gina and Guy, facilitated by D'harawal man, climate advocate and former diplomat Gregory Andrews. Includes a Q&A session.

Beginning with the Long Walk of the Navajos and ending with the massacre of Sioux at Wounded Knee, this extraordinary book by Dee Brown tells how the American Indians lost their land, lives and liberty to white settlers pushing westward. All Friends welcome. Join Friends