Australian Museum

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Australian Museum in Sydney, New South Wales, is Australia’s oldest museum and one of the earliest natural history museums in the world. Located at the corner of William Street and College Street, directly opposite Hyde Park and St Mary’s Cathedral, the Australian Museum offers visitors a fascinating journey through natural science and human culture. Whether you are local or travelling from afar, this museum provides an inspiring blend of world‑class collections, engaging exhibitions, and meaningful stories connected to the land, life and peoples of Australia and the Pacific.

About the Museum

The Australian Museum was founded in 1827 and has operated continuously since that year. It is both a heritage‑listed site and a leading institution for research in natural history and anthropology. Its collections span zoology, palaeontology, mineralogy and human cultures from Australia and beyond. The site houses over twenty‑one million objects and specimens, including rare scientific type specimens and First Nations cultural materials.

Visitors can enjoy several permanent galleries included with general admission. In the Wild Planet gallery, you can see more than four hundred animals—including a sperm whale skeleton, an elephant, giraffe, tiger and extinct species like the Tasmanian Tiger—with exhibits arranged to show the wonder of biodiversity and evolution. The Dinosaurs gallery brings the Mesozoic era to life with ten complete dinosaur skeletons, eight life‑size models and realistic animations and immersive experiences based on fossils found near Lightning Ridge.

Another highlight is the Westpac Long Gallery, home to the 200 Treasures of the Australian Museum exhibition. This permanent display presents one hundred unique objects alongside stories of one hundred people who shaped the nation—scientists, explorers, activists, artists and even entertainers—with treasures such as a feathered cape given to Captain Cook, opalised dinosaur remains and a mummified Egyptian coffin.

Visitors looking for special exhibitions will find dynamic offerings like Unsettled, a First Nations‑led exhibition exploring lived experience across 250 years, and Spark, a display of innovations tackling climate change, currently installed in Hintze Hall. Touring exhibitions such as The Birds of Australia, Future Now, and Transformations: Art of the Scott Sisters bring interactive and culturally rich experiences drawn from the museum’s expertise in science, art, and sustainability.

The Australian Museum also offers free self‑guided audio tours for popular exhibitions and audio description tours for visitors with low vision, helping bring gallery highlights to life at each visitor’s own pace. For those at home or planning ahead, immersive virtual tours of exhibitions like Unsettled, Spark and 200 Treasures are available online—including a version compatible with VR headsets.

Visitors can enjoy refreshments with panoramic views across Hyde Park at No. 1 William rooftop restaurant or a relaxed snack at the Billabong Waterhole kiosk on Level 2. The AM Shop offers thoughtful souvenirs inspired by the museum’s collections, supporting its scientific and education programmes.

Interesting Facts

The Australian Museum was established in 1827, making it the oldest museum in Australia and the fifth oldest natural history museum globally.
It holds more than twenty‑one million specimens and objects, including over sixty thousand First Nations cultural items and extensive zoological and palaeontological collections.
The 200 Treasures exhibit includes a Hawaiian feathered cape presented to Captain Cook and an opalised pliosaur nicknamed “Eric,” whose fossilised bones contain the remains of small fish in its belly.
The Wild Planet gallery features extinct species such as the Tasmanian Tiger, reconstructed dinosaur skeletons, the largest bird and moth on Earth and a sperm whale skeleton rescued from the sea.
The museum presents the annual Eureka Prizes, which since 1990 honour excellence in science, innovation, school projects and engagement in Australia.

Photo Gallery

Physical Location

Contact Details

Phone: +61293 206 000

Website: australian.museum/

Facebook: facebook.com/australianmuseum

Conclusion

The Australian Museum in Sydney offers a deeply enriching experience that brings together scientific discovery, cultural heritage and creative storytelling. Whether you are captivated by ancient dinosaurs, curious about Australia’s unique wildlife, or interested in the lives of influential Australians, this museum provides something for every visitor. Special exhibitions and touring shows add fresh layers of discovery, while inclusive audio tours and interactive displays ensure a full sensory experience. With free general entry to permanent exhibitions and thoughtful facilities including a rooftop restaurant and educational shop, the museum delivers an engaging, accessible and inspiring destination. Plan to spend at least two to three hours immersing yourself in the natural wonders and human stories that make the Australian Museum a must‑visit.