Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2020

Last chance – closing 9 May

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Opening Hours
10am - 5pm
Free General Entry
Where to find us
1 William Street
Sydney NSW 2010
Australia
Leopard anemone (detail) Image: Richard Robinson
© Richard Robinson

COVID-19 Safety Alert

The Australian Museum (AM) is committed to protecting the health of visitors and staff and minimising the spread of COVID-19. In line with the new restrictions announced by the NSW Government, wearing a fitted face mask is compulsory while you are visiting the Australian Museum from 5PM on Thursday 6 May 2021.

Admission guidelines and FAQ

200 Treasures of the Australian Museum

The Westpac Long Gallery showcases 100 treasures from our collections alongside the stories of the 100 people who’ve helped shape Australia.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily
10am - 5pm

Why not join the family?

Discover even more by becoming a Member. Delve into the Australian Museum’s collections, join a vibrant community and support our groundbreaking research and cultural projects.

Become a Member

Bayala Nura: Yarning Country

Explore and celebrate Australia’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures through a rich diversity of objects and stories of living culture. See more than 250 fascinating objects from Indigenous communities around Australia.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily 10am - 5pm

Museum news

Read about our latest discoveries, research expeditions and collection objects on display.

Latest news articles
Podcast series

Surviving Australia

Uncover the secrets of Australia’s weird and wonderful wildlife, including our most-curious living species and the giant megafauna from the past, as you explore the variety of fascinating adaptations to life on this island continent.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily 10am-5pm

Museum Shop

Advocating for the richness of life, the earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific, the Australian Museum Shop aims to ignite wonder through thinking, learning and play.

AM Member discount

Plan your visit

From dinosaurs to rooftop dining, the transformed Australian Museum has something for everyone and General Admission is now free. Plan and book your visit to the Australian Museum, and discover the extraordinary exhibitions on display.

Admission Information COVID-19 Safety Location & Access
Adorned workshop

What's on

Discover our exciting exhibitions and program of events including Prehistoric Playground for kids and First Nations cultural programs.

Permanent exhibitions
Special exhibitions and events
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People clapping

Lunchtime Conversation Series 2021: First Nations innovators and visionaries

Six illuminating talks exploring the stories and ground-breaking work of First Nations leaders across political, environmental and cultural fields.

Every Tuesday 18 May - 22 June, 12:30pm
Find out more
Nights at the Museum 14 January 2021

Nights at the Museum

Why not visit us after dark?

5pm – 9pm
Every Thursday night
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Kids in Prehistoric Playground

Prehistoric Playground

An interactive stomping ground for dinosaur buffs.

Open daily
10am – 4.30pm
Learn more
First Nations Weaving Workshops

School group visits

Information to assist teachers in planning for their education group excursion.

Monday - Friday during term
Now taking bookings for 2021
Learn more
Early Birds Autism and Sensory Friendly Mornings 16 January 2021

Early Birds: Autism and Sensory-Friendly Mornings

Visit the Museum in a reduced sensory, relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

Saturday 10 July
8am – 10am
Find out more
Tourists admiring the view

Food and dining

Take a break at No. 1 William restaurant on level 4 with stunning views of St Mary’s Cathedral, Hyde Park and the Sydney city skyline, or discover our new family cafe the Billabong Waterhole, on level 2.

Enjoy food with a view
New family friendly cafe
More details
Ngalu Warrawi Marri - We Stand Strong 2021

Garrigarrang: Sea Country

From the Sydney Basin to Torres Strait, discover and celebrate the rich cultures of Australia’s Salt Water People, who for tens of thousands of years have lived and flourished on Garrigarang nura – sea country.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily
10am - 5pm
Find out more
Visitor in Trex gallery

Dinosaurs

How well do you know your dinosaurs? Discover the amazing creatures that ruled the world until 65 million years ago in this exhibition that brings the Mesozoic era to life.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily
10am - 5pm
Find out more
Visitors at the Australian Museum Shop

Museum Shop

Come and explore our exciting range of products inspired by the Museum's collections. All proceeds help fund our science, education and exhibitions programs.

Located at the entrance to the Australian Museum
Shop for beautiful objects
Birds of Australia

Birds of Australia

Meet some of Australia’s most famous and fascinating feathered residents and learn about the ingenious ways they have adapted to life on the continent they call home.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily
10am - 5pm
Find out more
Visitors to the Australian Museum's Pacific Spirit exhibition

Pacific Spirit

Experience the diverse and dynamic cultures of the Pacific and admire the skill, creativity and spirituality of the region’s artists through this collection of colourful treasures from across the region.

Permanent exhibition
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Find out more
Nights at the Museum 18 February 2021

Wild Planet

Welcome to life on Earth. Every one of Earth’s millions of species is unique, but they are all connected through evolution. Come and see life in all its glorious diversity – over 400 animals under one roof!

Permanent exhibition
Open daily 10am - 5pm
Find out more
Draft map

Parking and public transport

Information on how to get to the Australian Museum including public transport options and where to park cars and bikes.

1 William Street
Sydney NSW 2010 Australia
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The Australian Museum

More visitor information

Welcome to the Australian Museum.

What's on calendar
Functions and venues
Getting here
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Australian Museum news

Discover our research behind the scenes, read stories from our collections and learn about the latest fieldwork findings in our blog.

Latest News Listen to our Podcasts Visit the Media Centre
Red-crowned Toadlet (Pseudophryne australis).

Which frogs are best equipped to survive the human world?

We rank Australia’s frog species based on how likely they are to persist in human modified habitats – with some surprising results!

4 May 2021
Read more
Jacky Ward, Evan Yanna Muru Gallard and Wayne Brennan recording one of the recently discovered grinding grooves and engraving sites on the Wollemi travel route, September 2004

This month in Archaeology: 2020-21 AMF/AMRI Visiting Research Fellow on the Rock Art Recovery Project

Wayne Brennan, a 2020-21 AMF/AMRI Visiting Research Fellow, discusses how scientists and Aboriginal communities work together on the Rock Art Recovery Project - two ways walking together side by side.

01 May 2021
Read more
Fotoware Image

The Australian Museum Magazine turns 100

After a controversial beginning, the Australian Museum Magazine has reached 100 years of continuous publication, with the historic latest issue a timely fit for the milestone.

30 April 2021
Read more
Ngukurr Wi Stadi bla Kantri (We Study the Country) Research Team, Macquarie University; Yugul Mangi Rangers; and Ngukurr School

Prized connections - combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science

Hear from Dr Emilie Ens, cross-cultural ecologist and co-winner of a Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.

Read more
Group photo of children in Scientist for a Day program

Scientist for a Day: Malacologist

Over two sold-out days during the April 2021 school holidays, budding malacologists were hosted by Australian Museum staff in the ever-popular Scientist for a Day (SFAD) program.

23 April 2021
Read more
In mid-February 2021, most of these corals are in various stages of bleaching.

News from LIRS: 2021 Coral bleaching at Lizard Island

Each month, a selected blog from Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation will be featured at the AM. For this inaugural month, we feature the 2021 Coral bleaching at Lizard Island blog, by Dr Anne Hoggett.

22 April 2021
Read more
2018 Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prizes finalists, Owen and Abby

Supporting young scientists across the nation

Now, more than ever, we must guide school students in developing a deeper appreciation and understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

20 April 2021
Learn more
D.39416 Sutton Hoo ship rivet (55 mm long) and ‘rove’.

A Sutton Hoo ship rivet, the Australian Museum and a War Hero

As a result of the new film on Netflix, The Dig, there has been renewed interest in the Anglo-Saxon ship burial site, Sutton Hoo. We have found a surprising link between the 1400-year-old Sutton Hoo burial, the Australian Museum, and a WWII war hero.

15 April 2021
Read more
Image of rainforests in Northeast NSW. Photographer: Chris Reid

The hunt for the not-so-elusive dung beetle

Last month, Dr Chris Reid and Aidan Runagall-McNaull arrived in Northeast NSW to determine the impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires on dung beetle populations. Now nearing the end of their fieldwork, there is some good news to report.

13 April 2021
Read more
Keelback snake

A journey through time and place in search of a snake

How was the Australian Keelback snake (Tropidonophis mairii) named? A historical investigation has led to the identification of where the snake came from – but with a twist.

31 March 2021
Read more
Matthew McCurry and baby Diprotodon jaw

More from our blog

Read about our latest discoveries, research expeditions or discover our interesting archive of blog posts.

Science news
What's new at the Museum
Educational insights
Read our blog posts!

Where nature, science & culture intersect

We are Australia’s first museum, and have over 21 million scientific specimens and cultural objects in our collections. Learn more from First Nations people, discover thousands of animal factsheets and explore our online education resources.

Discover & Learn Animal Factsheets Learning Resources
Students from Greenpoint Christian School participate in an Educator led session on Climate Change and Biodiversity.

IBM EdTech Youth Challenge

Join the IBM EdTech Youth Challenge and help impact what matters to you in our world.

Competition dates
Judging criteria
Themes and resources
Find out more
Barbara McGrady Photo acquisition

First Nations

Learn more about this land’s First Nations peoples and cultures.

Collections
Knowledge
Exhibitions
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Museum in a Box

For teachers and students

Our education programs and resources spark curiosity, develop scientific understanding and enhance cultural awareness in students of all ages.

Video conferences
Museum in a Box
Learning journeys
Learn more
Coral Bleaching Lizard Island

Climate change

The Australian Museum has been involved in raising awareness and researching impacts of climate change for over a decade.

What are we doing?
What is climate change?
Learn more
Southern Boobook Owl

Object and species identification

Use our online enquiry forms for help with Australian animal identification, natural history and cultural object enquiries.

Identify an animal
Cultural objects
Fossils and minerals
Ask an expert!
Feathertail glider

Animal factsheets

Discover the astonishing variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, marine life and more in the Australian Museum collections.

Invertebrates
Vertebrates
Extinct animals
Find out more
Tyrannosaurs

Dinosaurs and their relatives

Discover the Mesozoic era of the dinosaurs! Dinosaurs are classified as a group of reptiles, although some of their features are found in mammals and birds living today.

The Mesozoic era
Dinosaur factsheets
Australian dinosaurs
Find out more
Light Microscopy - Mark McGrouther

Science of life

Learn about biodiversity, the scientific study of life and organisms, and the story of human evolution.

Stages of Decomposition
The Human story
Virtual Autopsy
Learn more
Mineral specimen

Earth science

The Mineralogy and Palaeontology collections include rocks, minerals, gemstones and fossils, and reveal how the earth was formed.

Shaping the Earth
Minerals
Fossils
Discover more

Get involved

Make a donation. Become a member or volunteer. Or put your passion into practice on a citizen science project. Find out how you can get involved with the Australian Museum.

Become a Member Make a Donation Contact Us
Australian Museum Eureka Prizes trophy

Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

Rewarding excellence in Australian research & innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science

Key 2021 Dates
School Science
Frequently Asked Questions
Learn more
Early Birds quiet room

Become a Member

With unique benefits, special events and exclusive access, an Australian Museum Membership unlocks even more wonder.

Membership packages
Museum discounts
Join and save today
Asaro - Komunive village

Why we are better together

The Australian Museum Foundation relies on your donation to help invest in the future of the Australian Museum

Ways to join the Foundation
Our supporters
Donate now
FROG ID app in the field

FrogID

FrogID is a national citizen science project that is helping us learn more about what is happening to Australia’s frogs.

Free mobile app
Record frog calls
Find out more
Sheldon with Eric Pliosaur

Work at the Museum

Discover the exciting roles in research, exhibitions, education and communicating the relationship between people, culture and the natural environment.

Research
Exhibitions
Communication
Scholarships
Find out more
ACWG DNA Labs 2015

Awards & Fellowships

The Australian Museum Foundation & Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI) offers several different fellowships to visiting researchers.

Postgraduate Awards
Research
Fellowship
Find out more
Life at Lizard: Waging war on the Crown-of-Thorns starfish

Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation

Proudly supporting science at the Australian Museum's Lizard Island Research Station and elsewhere on the Great Barrier Reef.

Support our research
Help save the reef
Get involved
Sustainable living

Sustainability at home

Leading a healthier, more sustainable lifestyle and saving money in the process is easy with these helpful factsheets.

Cut down on waste
Worm farming
Read more
Frog sitting on a mobile phone

Museum mobile apps

From our citizen science to augmented reality games, treasure hunts and audio exhibition tours, discover our mobile apps.

Audio guide tours
Augmented reality games
Citizen science
Download free apps
Balls Pyramid expedition March 2017

Media Centre

Discover the latest news about the Australian Museum and Australian Museum Research Institute. The Media Centre also provides information, images and expert comment on scientific and cultural research, exhibitions and wider Museum activities.

Media releases
Photography & filming
Media contact
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About the Museum

The Australian Museum has been inspiring exploration of nature and culture for more than 190 years. Learn more about what we do, our extraordinary collections or our fascinating history.

Our Organisation Our History Museum Collections
C&R building

Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI)

AMRI brings together scientific expertise and world-class research infrastructure to increase our knowledge of the world around us and inform environmental decision-making for a better future.

Biodiversity & geodiversity
Collections-based research
Discover more
Lizard Island Research Station 2017

Australian Museum Lizard Island Research Station

The Lizard Island Research Station is a world-leading supplier of on-reef facilities for coral reef research and education. Located on the northern Great Barrier Reef, 270 km north of Cairns in Queensland, Australia.

Reef research
Planning a trip
Fellowships and grants
Discover more
ACWG DNA Labs

Australian Centre for Wildlife Genomics

Our primary focus is on ecological applications such as species identification, individualisation, conservation and small population management.

Aviation wildlife strike
Conservation genomic projects
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Entomology Collection Area 2018

Museum collections

Why do we collect things? Discover the history and future of our millions of collection treasures and research areas.

Natural Sciences
Cultural collections
Museum Archives
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Artist's impression of expanded Crystal Hall entry

Future plans

The first phase of the Australian Museum’s transformation – known as Project Discover – is complete, and the Museum is now open.

Read More
Scientists on Lord Howe Island

Research and expeditions

Learn about past Australian Museum expeditions from around the globe that have contributed to our collections and research.

Lord Howe Island
Solomon Islands
Historic expeditions
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historic books, Research Library

Policies and reports

Review the Australian Museum's policies and publications.

Strategic plans
Annual reports
Protected loans
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The Australian Museum in Sydney

About the Museum

Learn more about our organisational structure, what we do, the passionate people who work at the Australian Museum and our fascinating history.

Organisation
Governance
Our history
Future plans
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