Media Centre

Providing information, images & expert comment on scientific & cultural research, exhibitions & wider Museum activities.

Publicity and Media Relations

Providing information, images & expert comment on scientific & cultural research, exhibitions & wider Australian Museum activities.

Media Centre
Media & Communications Advisor

A sulphur-crested cockatoo opening the lid of a household waste bin.

Clever cockatoos learn through social interaction

World-first research proves ‘cockies’ learn unique bin-opening behaviour by copying others.

23 July 2021

Children in Australian Museum Sharks exhibition

Blockbuster funding for NSW State Cultural Institutions

The State’s Cultural Institutions are set to receive blockbuster funding, including a $40 million commitment.

19 June 2021

Two new species of gigantic woolly flying squirrels discovered in the Himalayas

International team led by Australian scientists Professor Kristofer Helgen and Dr Stephen Jackson and Chinese scientists Professor Xue-Long Jiang and Dr Quan Li.

31 May 2021

Spark: new Australian Museum showcase on climate solutions

Australian innovations tackling climate change in exhibition opening FREE to the public on Thursday 3 June.

28 May 2021

Internationally acclaimed conservationist Tim Flannery presents ‘The Climate Cure'

Inaugural Talbot Oration and new ‘Spark’ exhibition highlight climate change solutions.

24 May 2021

Storyboat Installation from Unsettled exhibition

Australian Museum to present Unsettled, a groundbreaking First Nations exhibition

Exhibition informed by extensive community consultation opens FREE to the public.

21 May 2021

Australian Museum scientist leads new discovery of surprisingly large brains in fossil whales

Museum collections shed light on whale brain evolution.

11 May 2021

New evidence in search for the mysterious Denisovans

An international group of researchers led by the University of Adelaide has conducted a comprehensive genetic analysis and found no evidence of interbreeding between modern humans and the ancient humans known from fossil records in Island Southeast Asia.

23 March 2021

Australian Museum appoints Laura McBride as Director, First Nations

Today on International Women’s Day 2021, the Australian Museum (AM) has announced the appointment of Laura McBride as Director, First Nations, a new role for the Museum on the AM’s executive leadership team.

8 March 2021

Former Australian Museum teacher leaves significant bequest for education

Patricia McDonald, Australian Museum education pioneer, provides lasting legacy.

24 February 2021

Ancient DNA reveals secrets of Game of Thrones wolves

International team of researchers includes Australian Museum Chief Scientist, Professor Kristofer Helgen.

14 January 2021

Summer Nights at the Transformed Australian Museum

Enjoy extended hours at the Museum every Thursday evening in January, February and March.

16 December 2020

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

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

New primate species discovered in Myanmar

International collaboration led in part by Australian Museum Chief Scientist, Professor Kristofer Helgen, sheds light on evolutionary history and the important role museums play in understanding and conserving biodiversity.

11 November 2020

Transformed Australian Museum to reopen on 28 November 2020

The Australian Museum (AM) will reopen to the public on Saturday 28 November after a 15 month $57.5m building transformation.

28 October 2020

Finalists announced for the 2020 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes

30th anniversary of Australia's leading science awards.

Media release
Eureka Prizes

Frogs Surviving the Flames: Citizen Scientists Reveal Frogs’ Initial Response to ‘Black Summer’ Bushfires

Many Australian frogs may not have been as devastatingly impacted by last summer’s fires as feared – but scientists need more data to assess the impact further.

Media release.
Research paper

Newly discovered trilobite (Gravicalymene bakeri)

Extremely rare fossils of ancient sea life found in Tasmania

Australian scientists, Dr. Patrick M. Smith, Australian Museum (AM) and Dr. Malte C.Ebach , University of NSW (UNSW), have named a newly discovered trilobite after the actor Tom Baker, aka Doctor Who.

23 September 2020

Red-crowned Toadlet (Pseudophryne australis)

Increase in Citizen Scientists during COVID-19

Australian Museum Centre for Citizen Science breaks new records: FrogID surpasses 200,000 records and DigiVol’s Wildlife Spotter completes more than 500,000 transcriptions.

24 August 2020

Melinnopsis gardelli anterior end, coloured SEM image. Sue Lindsay at Macquarie University bioimaging lab. Scale bar 1 mm.

Scientists discover new species of deep-sea worm

Australian Museum Donors enable experts to study and illuminate biodiversity.

24 August 2020

One of the World’s largest fish develops from a tiny larval Mola Sunfish

World first identification of a larval Mola alexandrini by Australian and New Zealand Scientists.

22 July 2020

Sydney Science Trail embarks 15 August 2020

Prepare for a great adventure as the Sydney Science Trail gets ready for children across the country (5-15 years), and their adult friends and teachers, to join the mission to help planet Earth.

16 July 2020

Australian Museum Turns ‘Inside Out’ To Share Virtual Content

Content Curated for the Curious includes education, citizen science, virtual tours and exhibitions

15 April 2020

Scientist with an eye for new species and a passion for Australia and the Pacific appointed as new Director and Chief Scientist of the Australian Museum Research Institute

Professor Kristofer M. Helgen joins Australia’s First Museum with over 100 mammal discoveries to his name.

25 April 2020

Australian Museum Marks International Women’s Day with Scientific Illustration Scholarship

Scholarship honours the Australian 19thC natural history illustrators, Helena and Harriet Scott.

8 March 2020

Statement from Australia's Natural History Museum Directors

Impact of fires on biodiversity on a scale not seen since species records were first kept. Loss is in the ‘trillions’ of animals due to climate change crisis. The Directors/CEOs of Australia’s leading natural history museums today issued a joint statement.

4 February 2020

Australian Museum’s Chief Scientist, Dr Rebecca Johnson, scores top science role at Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

Dr Rebecca Johnson, will be leaving the Australian Museum (AM) in early 2020 to take up the prestigious role of Chief Scientist and Associate Director of Science of the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) in Washington DC.

18 December 2019

Australian Museum recognised at UNESCO Cultural Heritage Awards

Westpac Long Gallery wins third award for architectural heritage.

30 October 2019

No Distance Between Us

Australian Museum documentary selected for international film festivals.

15 October 2019

2019 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes winners announced

Australia's leading science awards presented in Sydney.

29 August 2019

Finalists announced for 2019 Australian Museum Eureka Awards

There are 50 finalists in the running for 17 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes to be awarded across four categories.

31 July 2019

Australian Museum wins best temporary exhibition, best app and best website at national museum awards

The Australian Museum (AM) has taken home three major museum awards at Museums Australasia Multimedia & Publication Design Awards (MAPDA) for 2019.

17 May 2019

Australian Museum and Powerhouse Museum FREE weekend 17-18 August 2019

Last chance to visit Australian Museum before 12-month closure for renovation and opening weekend of Powerhouse Museum's new Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year exhibition.

9 August 2019

Astrophysicist Professor Alan Duffy on the Moon at the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum (AM) will host a special night with Professor Alan Duffy, Lead Scientist of the Royal Institution of Australia, where Duffy will share his thoughts on the anniversary of the Moon landing.

9 August 2019

Cultural Collections Centre opening 30 July 2019

Australia’s largest Pacific collection welcomed to new home at AM's Cultural Collections Centre

Australia’s largest collection of cultural objects, artworks and archaeological material from the Pacific has been welcomed to its new home at the recently established Cultural Collections Centre in Rydalmere.

30 July 2019

Dr Andrew Mitchell with students Michael Sacks, William Zhan, Michael O'Dea and Patrick Wan, who tested the fish

Science Education DNA Project at Australian Museum leads to ‘fishy’ results

The Australian Museum’s DNA scientists teamed up with Year 10 and 11 students from Sydney Grammar School in 2016/17 to investigate the accuracy of fish labelling in Sydney which has led to some interesting and ‘fishy’ results.

28 June 2019

Australian Green Tree Frog disappears from Sydney backyards as an Army of Volunteers with Smartphones help identify Frogs in peril….

Tens of Thousands around Australia sign up to Frog ID in first year of national citizen science program

1 May 2019
Citizen Science

Remembering our Anzacs

Australian Museum offers free entry to servicemen and women on Anzac Day.

18 April 2019

Sea monsters evolve surprisingly similar teeth

A team of Australian and American palaeontologists have found that a diverse range of ancient aquatic species, including pliosaurs, fossil whales and aquatic dinosaurs all evolved similar features on their teeth.

15 April 2019

HumanNature Lecture Series at the Australian Museum

International scholars explore the most pressing issues of our day in this thought-provoking eight-part evening lecture series.

14 March 2019

Regional NSW to host largest and most significant minerals exhibition in Australia in boon for local tourism

The Australian Museum (AM) will tour its world-renowned Albert Chapman Mineral Collection to the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum, Bathurst, in regional NSW.

25 February 2019

Alex Summerell at Featherdale Wildlife Park

Australian Museum Forensics combats illegal wildlife trade of echidnas

Short-beaked Echidnas, (Tachyglossus aculeatus), are one of Australia’s most iconic animals. Known as a monotreme – one of the few species of mammals that lay eggs - Short-beaked echidnas are highly prized as zoo animals around the world.

19 February 2019

Capturing Nature: Early photography at the Australian Museum 1857 – 1893

New exhibition at the Australian Museum reveals Australia’s earliest scientific photography from 1857 to 1893.

30 January 2019

Professor Tim Flannery re-joins Australian Museum in New Climate Change Role

The Australian Museum increases its commitment to raise awareness and research around impacts of climate change by appointing Prof. Flannery as Distinguished Visiting Fellow.

24 January 2019

New discovery by Australian and American researchers reveals ancient, super-snouted dolphins fed in a similar way to swordfish.

A team of Australian and American palaeontologists reveals ancient, super-snouted dolphins fed by sweeping their snouts through the water to hit and stun fish.

7 November 2018

Whales | Tohorā — Discover the giants of the ocean

Discover the incredible world of whales when major international exhibition Whales | Tohorā opens on 20 October at the Australian Museum (AM).

19 October 2018

Hide and Seek wins Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year competition in 2018

A mesmerising image of a school of fish fleeing from predators, ‘Hide and Seek’ by Malaysia-based, British photographer, has won the 2018 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year.

24 August 2018

Australian Museum to undergo $50m refurbishment to host international blockbuster exhibitions

Sydney secures Tutankhamun exhibition

11 June 2018

Australian Scientists crack the genetic code of Koalas

World first breakthrough in mapping the complete koala genome.

Celebrating International Day for Biological Diversity Australian Museum and Bunnings launch National Frog Pond Building Project

Australian Museum and Bunnings celebrate International Day for Biological Diversity with launch of National Frog Fond Building Project.

Australian Museum partners with Fyna Foods

Australian Museum partners with Fyna Foods to bring Palm Oil Free Chocolate Frogs to the Fore!

SuperCroc Unleashed

Stockland and the Australian Museum to tour eight tonnes of dinosaur munching prehistoric crocodile.

How the urban bird gets the worm

Foraging habits of the Australian White Ibis revealed in science journal PLOS ONE today.

Australian Museum Presents World Premiere of Carriberrie: A Virtual Reality Journey of Aboriginal Dance and Song

The Australian Museum presents the world premiere of Carriberrie, celebrating Aboriginal dance, music and song in virtual reality (VR).

Treasures of Australia and the World Revealed in New Podcast Series Starring Charles Wooley

The Australian Museum presents new podcast series Treasures that reveals the stories behind treasures of Australia and the world, featuring Charles Wooley.

Weave: The Festival of Aboriginal and Pacific Cultures

Australian Museum presents 'Weave: Festival of Aboriginal and Pacific Cultures' on 1 March.

HumanNature — Evening Lecture Series

International experts explore humanity’s role and responses in a time of environmental crisis.

Mammoths - Giants of the Ice age

Journey back in time to when these mighty beasts roamed the Earth and see a near- perfectly preserved, 40,000 year old baby woolly mammoth for the first time in Australia.

Launch of the Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan 2018-21 (AIAP)

Australian Museum Welcomes All Visitors with New Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan

The Australian Museum (AM) has launched its new Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan for 2018 to 2021 (AIAP).

Australian Museum appoints Russell Briggs as Director, Engagement & Exhibitions

Russell Briggs has been appointed by the Australian Museum (AM) as Director, Engagement & Exhibitions.

Australian Museum Expedition to Save Rare Insect from Extinction

Australian Museum researchers and citizen scientists have scaled a volcanic cliff-face in a daring attempt to save the elusive Lord Howe Island stick insect.

T. rex on Tour in NSW... What's in a Name?

The Australian Museum and Stockland partner to tour a 'life-size' Tyrannosaurus rex model to five major NSW centres... and give the public the chance to name her.

Spiders - Alive & Deadly

Clever, carnivorous and completely essential, spiders are now at the Australian Museum, and in your backyard over summer. From 28 October 2016 to 17 July 2017.

Australian Museum Store celebrates Scott Sisters Exhibition with exquisite hand-crafted designer gift range

A collection of unique, handcrafted gifts inspired by Scott Sisters illustrations are available exclusively at the Australian Museum Store.

Australian Museum - Master Plan NOV 2016

barrabuwari muru Master Plan

Australian Museum Reveals its Future Plans

Scott Sisters Exhibition Documentation 2017

Honouring Pioneering Women in Science and Art

Australian Museum celebrates legacy of two of our great scientific illustrators in stunning exhibition Transformations: Art of the Scott Sisters.

Culture Up Late Celebrates Resilience of Aboriginal Culture

The Australian Museum presents Ngalu Warawi Marri - We Stand Strong, a night of Aboriginal stories on the eve of Australia Day.

Waiting for the Wings of Recognition?

Name a Christmas beetle this festive season for your chance to achieve ecological immortality.

1 December 2016

Sydney's Wildest Halloween Party Returns with Jurassic Lounge

The Australian Museum will be remixed by artists, scientists and DJs as an after-hours playground for adults (and dinosaurs) on Saturday 29 October 2016.

20 October 2016

Spectacular Views and Local Produce at Sydney's Newest Rooftop Dining Venue

The Australian Museum in the heart of Sydney has opened a new rooftop dining experience, No. 1 William – Food with a View.

11 October 2016

Australian Museum’s Dr Rebecca Johnson named in 100 Women of Influence

Director of the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), Dr Rebecca Johnson’s ground-breaking work in the field of wildlife forensics has been acknowledged in the Innovation category of the awards, announced last week.

4 October 2016

Giant T. Rex Gifted to Australian Museum

A 'life-size' Tyrannosaurus rex model finds its new home at the Australian Museum, with thanks to the support of National Geographic.

29 August 2016

2016 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes Winners announced

The winners of Australia’s premier science awards were announced last night at a gala event at the Sydney Town Hall, attended by leaders from science, government, industry and the media.

1 September 2016

Australian Museum 2016 Eureka Prize Finalists Announced

Australia's premier science awards celebrate outstanding achievement in 2016: from deep-sea robots, to school students who may have found a scientific edge for our Olympians.

29 July 2016

Inspiring Australians Celebrated In Exhibition

The achievements of this year’s winners of the Australian of the Year Awards are being showcased at the Australian Museum from 26 July 2016.

27 July 2016

Australian Geographic Nature Photographer Of The Year Comes To Sydney For First Time

More than 100 inspiring images showcasing the extraordinary natural wonder of our region will be exhibited at the Australian Museum from 19 August.

22 July 2016

Janet Laurence at the opening of Deep Breathing (Resuscitation for the Reef)

Artist Examines Fragility Of Great Barrier Reef

Artist-in-Residence Janet Laurence has created a new work inspired by the Australian Museum’s coral collection and Lizard Island Research Station.

12 July 2016

2017 AMRI Lifetime Achievement Award - Frank Talbot

Sea Changer: Visionary Reef Scientist & Acclaimed Museum Director Wins Lifetime Achievement Award

Former Director of the Australian Museum Professor Frank Talbot AM has been awarded the Australian Museum Research Institute's (AMRI) Lifetime Achievement Award.

5 July 2016

Australian Museum’s Crystal Hall Wins Major Public Architecture Award

One of Australia's leading architecture firms Neeson Murcutt has won a major award for the Australian Museum's striking new glass entrance.

4 July 2016

Free admission for all to Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences and Australian Museum - One Weekend Only

Two of Sydney’s most loved museums will open their doors for free on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June.

10 June 2016

Dick Smith Voted Australia’s Favourite Explorer

Adventurer and entrepreneur Dick Smith AC is Australia’s favourite living explorer, as voted by visitors to the Australian Museum.

23 May 2016

David Attenborough’s Virtual Reality Experiences come to Australian Museum from 8 April

David Attenborough’s First Life VR and David Attenborough’s Great Barrier Reef Dive VR debut in Australia through Samsung Gear VR.

24 March 2016

Australian Museum celebrates diversity Harmony Day 21 March, 2016

Celebrating Harmony Day at the Australian Museum, Thursday 10 March 2016.

10 March 2016

Australian Museum CEO Kim McKay AO Appointed Honorary Adjunct Professor At MGSM

The Macquarie Graduate School of Management (MGSM) is pleased to announce the appointment of Kim McKay AO, Director and CEO of the Australian Museum (AM), as an Honorary Adjunct Professor.

25 February 2016