Why are we
so excited?

We're revamped, reopened
and general entry is free!

Discover more
Opening Hours
10am - 5pm
Closed Christmas Day
Where to find us
1 William Street
Sydney NSW 2010
Australia

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. As of 3 January 2021, we require all staff and visitors aged 12 and over to wear a fitted face mask while inside the AM. Please bring your own mask when you visit.

Admission guidelines and FAQ

Why not come and meet the family?

Travel back 66 million years in this exciting interactive exhibition that introduces you to the whole tyrannosaur family.

Tyrannosaurs - Meet the Family

Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year 2020

Witness the world's wonder.

Open daily
10am - 5pm
Free General Admission

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. 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
Find out more
Nights at the Museum

Nights at the Museum

Why not visit us after dark?

Every Thursday throughout summer from 7 January
5pm – 9pm
Find out more
Ngalu Warrawi Marri – We Stand Strong

Ngalu Warrawi Marri – We Stand Strong

An evening of talks, workshops, tours and performances celebrating the resilience of First Nations peoples.

21 January
5pm – 9pm
Find out more
Westpac Long Gallery

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
Find out more
Visitors looking at an exhibition

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
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
Dinosaur Festival 2018

School holidays

One of Sydney’s favourite school holiday programs, with science and creativity galore!

Scientist for a Day
Photography workshops
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
People in Birds

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
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
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
Find out more
Couple Wild Planet

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
Wedding table setting in the Australian Museum Terrace

Functions and venues

Discover our unique spaces ideal for catered events and functions such as dinners, cocktail parties, receptions, conferences and product launches.

T: +61 (0)2 9320 6182
E: venues@australian.museum
Find out more
Museum Facade

More visitor information

After a year of renovation, we’re thrilled to welcome visitors, members and friends back to a transformed and free Australian Museum.

What's on calendar
Functions and venues
Getting here
Plan your visit

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
The Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat

What can we learn about wombat habitats from their poo?

Microbes that live in the guts of mammals can be critical to their health and survival, yet we know little about the microbes that inhabit our unique Australian marsupials. Scientists from the University of Adelaide and the Australian Museum studied the Southern Hairy-nosed Wombat to learn more.

18 January 2021
Read more
A pack of dire wolves (Canis dirus) are feeding on their bison kill, while a pair of grey wolves (Canis lupus) approach in the hopes of scavenging

Myth or museum specimen? The animals that are more fact than fiction

Famously featured in George R.R. Martin's Game of Thrones franchise, the dire wolf is far more than a popular legend. A recent study in Nature has discovered how genetically distinct this prehistoric carnivore actually was. Read more about the study, and other animals thought to be pure myth.

14 January 2021
Read more
AM official opening

Australian Museum officially reopens to the public

Australian Museum officially reopens to the public with free general admission from Saturday 28 November 2020.

26 November 2020
Read more
an image of Apis mellifera

A rainforest tree by the sea — Who are the pollinators?

In Australia there are over 40 species of mangroves; despite their key role in coastal ecosystem function, we know relatively little about their reproductive ecology. Learn more about the pollinators involved, in this recent and pivotal study.

15 December 2020
Read more
The team swabs a frog for Bd and Bsal infection. Hoang Lien Range, Vietnam

Is a deadly disease impacting amphibians on Vietnam’s highest mountains?

Scientists from the Australian Museum, Indo-Myanmar Conservation and ZSL London Zoo search for frogs and the world’s worst wildlife disease in the mountains of northern Vietnam.

15 December 2020
Read more
Artists rendering of Isisfordia

Australia: home of the (prehistoric) crocs

Opalised fossils help tell the story of a small crocodile that lived among the dinosaurs.

11 December 2020
Read more
Male Cambodian Fanged Frog (Limnonectes fastigatus)

Welcome new fanged friend: A new species of Fanged Frog discovered in Cambodia

From the forests of northeastern Cambodia, another frog species new to science is scientifically named!

10 December 2020
Read more
Lateral view of Marphysa victori

Why we need to get taxonomy right

Taxonomy and systematics comprise the describing, naming and classifying the natural world. By classifying the natural world, we can understand a species origins and interrelationships. So how do we get it right, and how do we get it wrong? We explore the world of marine invertebrates for more.

8 December 2020
Read more
Nancibella quintalae, until now thought to be extinct

Rare snail species found alive on Norfolk Island after 130 years

The tiny, enigmatic snail was last collected in 1889 and is currently listed as extinct by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). So, we were very excited to find Nancibella quintalae alive on Norfolk Island!

4 December 2020
Read more
Shows the location of key resources and villages in the Pollack Swamp in the Gunbower-Koondrook-Perricoota forest on the River Murray study area. Image by Pardoe and Hutton, with IP rights retained by Barapa Nation.

This month in Archaeology: Aboriginal heritage as ecological proxy in south-eastern Australia: a Barapa wetland village

Dr Amy Way discusses a recently published paper by Pardoe and Hutton in the Australasian Journal of Environmental Management, examining how Aboriginal people traditionally lived in large groups around ecological ‘hotspots.’

01 December 2020
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
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
Barbara McGrady Photo acquisition

First Nations

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

NAIDOC Week 2020
Always Was, Always Will Be.
Find out 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
Bird pollinating

Object and species identification

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

Identify a species
Cultural material
Fossils & 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
beetle

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
Image of Phillip Island, its red soil exposed to erosion.

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
Australian Museum Eureka Prizes trophy

2020 Australian Museum Eureka Prize winners

Congratulations to the 2020 Australian Museum Eureka Prize winners.

24 November 2020
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

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
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
Balls Pyramid expedition March 2017

Brian Hartzer appointed chairman of Australian Museum Foundation

Brian Hartzer appointed chairman of Australian Museum Foundation and also as a trustee to AM Trust.

3 December 2020
Read more
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
Exterior of Australian Museum building

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
Find out more
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
Learn 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
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
Learn 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.

Research
Facilities
Planning a Trip
Resources
Discover more
Eureka Prize 2018 Various

Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

Rewarding excellence in the fields of research & innovation, leadership, science engagement and school science.

2020 Eureka Prizes program
FAQ and key dates
Learn more
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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