Australian Museum reveals plans for 200th Anniversary in 2027

Sydney, Saturday 10 October 2026: The Australian Museum (AM) today unveiled the first details of AM200, a year-long program marking its 200th anniversary in 2027, showcasing more of the AM to the public through a line-up of international exhibitions, special community events, impactful science projects, First Nations culture and behind-the-scenes access along with new visitor experiences.

As the nation’s first museum, AM200 will be recognised during 2027 in many different ways, from blockbuster international exhibitions and immersive experiences to a four-weekend community festival in April, major First Nations programs, new experiences and artworks, science and research, and opportunities for visitors to connect with the Museum in new ways.

The program begins this summer with The World’s Biggest Dinosaur: Dinosaurs of Patagonia, opening 28 November 2026 and bringing the cast of the largest complete dinosaur fossil ever discovered to Sydney.

“We’ve always been known as the ‘dinosaur museum’, loved by children and adults across two centuries, so it made sense to kick off the year with a dinosaur exhibition that will take up the entire length of our international touring hall, over 38 metres,” the Australian Museum’s Director and CEO Kim McKay AO said.

In March 2027, the AM will become the first museum outside of Europe to present Our Story with David Attenborough, a 50-minute, 360-degree cinematic experience that surrounds audiences with spectacular imagery across four walls and the floor, tracing the story of Earth and humanity from its beginnings to our shared future.

“I first saw Our Story at the Natural History Museum in London during its premiere season last year and knew we had to bring this spectacular immersive cinematic experience to Sydney, given Sir David Attenborough is also our Lifetime Patron,” Ms McKay said. Our Story will open in March 2027 to coincide with the AM’s anniversary and run for eight months.

The Australian Museum will officially mark 200 years on 30 March 2027, before the AM200 Festival kicks off over four weekends in April with science, culture, live experiences and rare behind-the-scenes access, providing an opportunity to invite the public to experience the full breadth and depth of its work.

“For 200 years, the Australian Museum has been a place of curiosity, discovery and learning, and reaching this milestone is an extraordinary moment for Australia’s first museum and the millions of people who have visited it over the decades,” McKay said.

“Our 200th anniversary gives us an opportunity to invite people further into the Museum and discover more of what happens here, from our collections and scientific research to our stories and spaces, and the First Nations cultures and knowledges that are fundamental to our work.”

“Our history is long and complex, and marking 200 years also means reflecting honestly on where we have come from and the responsibilities we carry with us today.”

“This is a milestone year, but our ambition reaches well beyond 2027 as we look ahead to the Australian Museum’s third century,” she said.

First Nations culture and knowledge will be central to the anniversary year. Kalikina Country, a major permanent artwork by celebrated Tasmanian Aboriginal Elder and artist Aunty Lola Greeno and her daughter, artist Vanessa Greeno, will be unveiled in Hintze Hall, while Message Sticks, a new exhibition created by the award-winning AM team, will explore enduring First Nations systems of communication, connection and Lore through stories, objects and living cultural knowledge.

The anniversary year will also include a major new one-hour documentary exploring two centuries of the AM’s history and transformation, alongside The Australian Museum: 200 Years, a richly illustrated new history book and a Museum-wide Discovery Trail, taking visitors through objects, specimens and stories to explore the AM’s greatest discoveries and how they increase our understanding of the changes to our environment over time.

The Discovery Trail will also be reflected in a new AM website featuring a selection of its most significant 200 discoveries since 1827, alongside intriguing AM stories.

Live today, Museum Memories invites generations of visitors to share their own memories and connections to the Australian Museum, building a growing online collection throughout the anniversary year. Submissions for Museum Memories are open now.

The announcements offer just a first glimpse of AM200, with further major exhibitions, events, public programs, science, cultural initiatives and collaborations to be revealed in the lead-up to the anniversary and throughout 2027.

The Australian Museum Foundation is also supporting a number of these special projects and initiatives as part of the Museum’s 200th anniversary activities.

The AM200 program is proudly presented by the Australian Museum’s Principal Partner, Westpac.

Matt Fraser | MOXEE
matt@moxee.au | 0401 326 007

The nation’s first museum, the Australian Museum (AM) was founded in 1827 and will mark its 200-year anniversary in 2027. It is internationally recognised as a natural science and culture institution focused on Australia and the Pacific. The AM holds more than 22 million objects and specimens in its collection, the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. It pursues a mission 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 and commits to transforming the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation; being a strong advocate for First Nations cultures; and continuing to develop world-leading science through the Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI). The AM is not only a dynamic source of reliable scientific information on the environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also a trusted site of cultural exchange and learning. Visit australian.museum