Daily 75-minute sessions: 9.15am, 10.45am, 12.15pm, 2pm, 3.30pmThis fun, immersive play and learn space is designed for children of all abilities from birth to 6 years, their families and carers. Every session includes free, child-led activities in our mini makers corner.
This exhibition brings together objects held in the Museum’s collection to explore the long reach of the classical past and its influence in Australia.
Saturday, Sunday, Monday hourly from 10.15am to 3.15pmBe transported to one of the world’s most breathtaking and pristine landscapes in The Great Kimberley Wilderness – a 35-minute virtual reality documentary narrated by Luke Hemsworth.
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.
10amThis 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.
3–4pmTake 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.
Daily at 9am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pmTraverse the vast, vibrant Australian continent on this tour of the Museum’s environmental history gallery, Great Southern Land.
Tuesdays and Thursdays during ACT school termEnjoy free 15-minute story time sessions in the workshop next to the Discovery Centre. Drop-in, places are limited.
First Tuesday of the monthExplore 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.
Our Story sheds light on the little-known history of Aboriginal and Chinese relations in colonial Australia. Curated by artist and researcher Zhou Xiaoping, the exhibition draws on historical records and oral histories to bring these untold stories into the collective consciousness of all Australians.
This free, public symposium complements the National Museum of Australia’s current Pompeii exhibition, with a keynote talk by Professor Ray Laurence on critical questions concerning the archaeological investigation of Pompeii. Other expert speakers will unearth a wide range of other fascinating archaeological topics and take part in a Q&A panel.
Discover the story of the vast, vibrant Australian continent in our Great Southern Land gallery. For visitors who prefer smaller crowds and a quieter experience.
Join us to discuss how human activity is transforming the places we live in and love. Living with the Anthropocene: Love, Loss and Hope in the Face of Environmental Crisis, edited by Cameron Muir, Kirsten Wehner and Jenny Newell, features some of Australia’s best-known writers and thinkers reflecting on what it is like to be alive during a time of great ecological change. Exclusive to Friends. Join Friends
In celebration of Reconciliation Week, join us for the exhibition opening of Our Story: Aboriginal–Chinese People in Australia. This special event features a panel conversation facilitated by the Museum’s First Nations Deputy Director, Dr Jilda Andrews, featuring exhibiting artists Gordon Hookey and Jenna Lee with exhibition curator Zhou Xiaoping.
Did you know that volcanic eruptions like the one that devastated Pompeii formed the foundations of Canberra? Join Friend and leading geologist Marita Bradshaw to learn about Canberra’s geology and how the National Rock Garden celebrates Australia’s rich geological heritage – and even handle a few exciting rocks! Join Friends
Play for free at the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre in recognition of Reconciliation Week. For children of all abilities from birth to 6 years.
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The National Museum of Australia acknowledges First Australians and recognises their continuous connection to Country, community and culture.
