21 November 2024, Sydney: For the first time in Australia, an ancient tale of human ingenuity, ritual, unimaginable treasures and supernatural deities will be brought to life in the extraordinary exhibition, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, opening Saturday 23 November at the Australian Museum (AM).

This new major cultural exhibition, developed in partnership with Neon Global, Museo Larco and the Ministry of Culture of Peru, is exclusive to the AM in the region and shares the secrets of Peru’s ancient civilisations culminating in the Incan Empire that created Machu Picchu. Featuring the most opulent collection of Andean gold to ever travel outside of Peru, the exhibition will appeal to visitors across the generations with storytelling, priceless artefacts and state-of-the-art immersive experiences. Sydney will be the fourth city in the world to host this blockbuster following on from Boca Raton, Florida, USA; Paris, France; and Milan, Italy.

Minister for the Arts, Music and Nighttime Economy, the Hon John Graham MLC congratulated the AM on securing Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru as an exclusive blockbuster exhibition for NSW following the success of the Ramses exhibition at the AM last summer.

“Once again the Australian Museum is bringing an extraordinary exhibition to Sydney, this time celebrating the rich cultural history of Peru with Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru. Today the achievements of the ancient Inca people still captivate the imaginations of people around the world. This wonderful exhibition offers people who want to explore Machu Picchu, but perhaps can’t travel there themselves, the chance to do so,” Minister Graham said.

Situated on a mountain top with the Andean rainforest below, Machu Picchu is recognised as one of the New Seven Wonders of the World and a symbol of the Inca Empire’s architectural and cultural achievements.

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO said visitors to the AM will be able to discover ancient Peru and Machu Picchu outside of its original site.

“Full of mystery and culture dating back over 14000 years, Peru is a stunning land of deserts etched with ancient geoglyphs shown in the Nazca Lines, soaring peaks harbouring secret cities like Machu Picchu and awe-inspiring landscapes. These ancient Peruvian civilisations will come to life through 134 priceless treasures on show, many made from precious metals such as gold, silver and gilded copper,” McKay said.

“We invite visitors to uncover the extraordinary legacy of ancient Peru, by visiting Machu Picchu and The Golden Empires of Peru, exclusively here in Sydney. It is a cultural experience right at the top of everyone’s travel bucket list,” McKay said.

The Ambassador of Peru, His Excellency, Mr Vitaliano Gaspar Gallardo Valencia, said it was important to share these valuable cultural artefacts to a larger audience outside of Peru.

“This exhibition is an invitation to discover more about Peru’s magnificent past. We are excited to bring these treasures to the Australian Museum, strengthening Peru’s bi-lateral relations with Australia through cultural exchange and multi-sensory exhibitions such as Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru,” His Excellency Mr Vitaliano Gaspar Gallardo Valencia said.

The exhibition focuses on six key themes, tracing the origins of ancient Peruvians societies, their religious beliefs and rituals, royal power, trade and agriculture, and their eventual decline, at the hands of Spanish conquistadors.

Executive Chairman & Group CEO of NEON, Ron Tan, said the Group is thrilled to partner with Museo Larco and the Government of Peru to bring these rare artefacts to Australia.

“We’re excited to bring audiences closer to the rich history of Peru through the showcase of this remarkable collection of priceless artefacts and national treasures and we look forward to welcoming huge crowds to come explore the secrets of the Incan Empire at the Australian Museum,” Mr Tan said.

Visitors will journey through the vast expanse of Andean history, discovering the myths and cosmology of ancient Peru, through the royal burial treasures, exquisite ceramics and objects that reveal the everyday and sacred lives of six prominent cultures covering the most recent 3000 years of civilisations: Chavín, Moche, Chimú, Nazca, Lambayeque, and Inca.

For an added immersive experience, visitors are able to embark on the first-ever virtual reality (VR) tour of Machu Picchu, offering a bird’s-eye view of the famed UNESCEO World Heritage listed site using cutting-edge technologies. Captured during the COVID pandemic, when Machu Picchu was closed to visitors, this dramatic footage reveals the historic sanctuary in its natural, untouched beauty. The VR experience recently won ‘Best Use of VR’ at the Lumiere Awards.

Alongside rare ceramics, visitors will encounter magnificent body ornaments, textiles and ceremonial tools that reflect the deep connection between ancient Peruvian societies and their supernatural beliefs. Deities that represented natural forces played a central role in the spiritual and cultural life of these ancient empires.

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is presented in partnership with Neon Global, Museo Larco and the Ministry of Culture of Peru and proudly supported by Major Exhibition Partner, Adventure World; Airline Partner, LATAM Airlines; along with Hotel Partner, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park.

Event details

• What: Exhibition and VR, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
• When: Opens Saturday 23 November 2024
• Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Sydney NSW 2010 2/3
• Exhibition Tickets: Off peak: Adult $37.50, Child $20.00, Family x 4 $94.00; Peak: Adult $42.50, Child $23.50, Family x 4 $110.00. VR experience: $22.00
• For more information and to book tickets visit Australian Museum
• Editor’s note: Imagery, footage, background information here: https://bit.ly/am-machu-picchu
• Social Media: Facebook: @australianmuseum; Instagram: @australianmuseum; Twitter: @austmus / Hashtags: #MachuPicchuAM #AustralianMuseum

Machu Picchu Events

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will be supported by a rich variety of Peruvian themed events each month, including exclusive conversations, experiences, music and tours. The summer program, Journey to Peru includes:

Conversations of the Golden Empires: From the Andes to the Amazon: Join experts for a journey through Peruvian archaeology and the spiritual legacies of its ancient empires. Date: Saturday, 14 December 2024, 10:30am - 11:30am | Cost: $10 Member, $25 Non-Member, $22.50 Concession

Conversations of the Golden Empires: Modern Discoveries of an Ancient Land: Explore Peru’s biodiversity and its insights into ancient life, culture, and beliefs, guided by historians and scientists. Date: Saturday, 8 February 2025, 10:30am - 11:30am | Cost: $10 Member, $25 Non-Member, $22.50 Concession

Peruvian Nights at the Museum: Discover the wonders of ancient Peru after dark. Every Wednesday in January during Sydney Festival, the Museum is open late, giving you exclusive after-hours access to Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru.

About the Australian Museum

The Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and is the nation’s first museum. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. The AM’s mission is to ignite wonder, inspire debate and drive change. The AM’s vision is to be a leading voice for the richness of life, the Earth and culture in Australia and the Pacific. The AM commits to transforming the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; to being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and to continuing to develop world-leading science, collections, exhibitions and education programs. With 22 million objects and specimens and the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI), the AM is not only a dynamic source of reliable scientific information and active research on some of the most pressing environmental some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also an important site of cultural exchange and learning.

About NEON

NEON is a global leader in creating and producing immersive experiences. NEON enjoys worldwide partnerships with The Walt Disney Company and Marvel Entertainment for Marvel Avengers S.T.A.T.I.O.N. and Marvel Avengers Station: Evolution, 20th Century Studios for AVATAR: The Exhibition, Hasbro for Transformers: The Experience, NBCUniversal for Jurassic World: The Exhibition, and Lionsgate for The Hunger Games: The Exhibition. It also has a partnership with Warner Bros. Themed Entertainment to produce two brand-new, unique global touring-themed art experiences inspired by the Wizarding World open now in Brussels, Belgium, and DC, slated to launch in 2025. The Company also partners with the governments of Peru and Egypt for their original artifact IP experiences, Machu Picchu, and the Golden Empires of Peru and Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs, respectively, plus authentic artifact tours Pompeii: The Exhibition, Mummies of the World: The Exhibition, Victoria the T. Rex and Auschwitz. Not Long Ago. Not Far Away. These partnerships have enabled the Group to bring compelling experiences that leave lasting memories to millions of visitors in more than 60 cities to date globally. For more information, please visit www.neonglobal.com.

About Adventure World

Adventure World is a dedicated team of global adventurers with over 40 years of experience in curating authentic and sustainable travel experiences. We ensure that our guests truly connect with the essence of each destination while enjoying the flexibility of customisable itineraries. Our offerings are guided by our Travel with Purpose charter, which aims to celebrate and conserve cultures, create socio-economic benefits for communities, protect wildlife, and restore marine ecosystems. We strive to create genuine opportunities for like-minded travellers to join us in this mission. We collaborate closely with partners such as TreadRight Foundation, Animals Asia, and the Australian Museum, aligning our efforts with 11 of the United Nations’ Global Sustainable Development Goals. Through our Travel with Purpose philosophy, we actively put these ideals into action. Adventure World was awarded Most Outstanding Wholesaler – Destination / Experience at the 2024 National Travel Industry Awards.

About LATAM Airlines

Latam Airlines is the leading airline in South America, with the largest network of destinations in the continent. The airline has more than 90 years of experience in the marketplace. Recent winner of the "Best Airline in South America” award for the fifth consecutive year and “Best airline staff in South America” by Skytrax.

LATAM Airlines Group is the fifth airline with the best performance in sustainability worldwide according to the most recent Corporate Sustainability Assessment (CSA), by Standard & Poor's. (S&P Global). This allowed the group being the only airline on the continent to be classified in the 2023 edition of "The Sustainability Yearbook".

Non-stop flights from Melbourne and Sydney to Santiago de Chile, and from there connections to more than 120 destinations in the region, with stand out destinations including Cusco, Torres del Paine, Cartagena de Indias, Easter Island, Buenos Aires, Galapagos Islands, Rio de Janeiro and more. South America awaits you. Discover your next adventure at latam.com.

About Pullman Sydney Hyde Park

Pullman Sydney Hyde Park blends contemporary style with exclusive service, providing an urban escape in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Positioned opposite Hyde Park, this 5-star hotel caters to both business and leisure travellers with 241 modern rooms and suites, offering breathtaking views of the city and park. Guests can enjoy premium amenities including a rooftop pool, fitness centre, and a variety of dining options. As part of Pullman Hotels & Resorts, a global brand with over 140 properties worldwide, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park delivers an energising, connected experience that embodies the spirit of modern travel. Pullman is part of Accor, a world-leading hospitality group with over 5,200 properties across 110 countries.

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Matt Fraser, Original Spin

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