Fang-tastic school holiday fun at the Australian Museum
Sydney, Wednesday, 1 July 2026: From ink-splatter art workshops to vampire-slaying film screenings, alongside after-hours adventures, the Australian Museum (AM) is serving up a school holiday program with serious bite for all members of the family this winter, including a two-for-one ticket offer to Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires.
© Auckland Museum
The AM’s latest family-friendly science exhibition invites visitors get up close to a remarkable evolutionary adaptation that has enabled tiny micro-predators to dominate the planet. Developed by the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Toronto, Canada, the Bloodsuckers exhibition helps visitors transform “ick” into interest and fear into fascination, and offers a fresh take on science, history and English school curricula.
Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, said the exhibition, filled with larger-than-life displays, pop-culture references and interactives, delivers a unique mix of entertainment, creativity and learning for all ages.
"Whether you're sketching a mosquito, settling in for a vampire movie marathon or meeting our brilliant scientists, the AM is the place to head for a full day of fun in the school holidays.
“With free general entry, two-for-one tickets to Bloodsuckers plus free permanent exhibitions and a pay-what-you-wish film series, the holiday program also accommodates all budgets. The focus is on expanding curiosity through experiences designed to entertain, inspire and spark conversation," Kim McKay said.
© Celia Curtis
© Amalgamated Movies
Bloodsuckers Splatter & Sketch Workshop
7–8 July
From $52 Members | $65 Non-members
Ages 5–16 years
Young artists ready to make a splash can be part of this hands-on workshop led by scientific illustrator and paleo-artist Celia Curtis. Experimenting with ink splatters, shapes and scientific drawing techniques, participants will create their own bloodsucker-inspired artwork before heading into the exhibition for a closer look at creatures including leeches, ticks and mosquitoes. Back in the studio, they'll transform their splattered creations into detailed illustrations worthy of a budding natural history artist.
Bloodsuckers After Dark: Family Night
8 July | 6pm–9pm
From $13 Child Members | $24 Adult Non-members
All ages
This special after-hours event invites families to explore the AM after dark through music, hands-on activities, talks and exclusive exhibition access. Visitors will uncover surprising stories about nature's strangest creatures, including a special presentation, 30,000 Bloodsuckers Can't Be Wrong, exploring the important role blood-feeding animals play in healthy ecosystems and taking a closer look at the ticks and mites affecting Australian pets today.
18 July | 10.30am–4.40pm
Free, pay what you wish
Vampires take centre stage in this special one-day film program celebrating some of cinema's most memorable creatures of the night. From the animated antics of Hotel Transylvania to cult favourite Buffy the Vampire Slayer and iconic 1980s classic The Lost Boys, the lineup explores how vampire stories have evolved from folklore to enduring pop-culture favourites, captivating audiences across generations.
Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires exhibition
$16 for children and $24 for adults when booked online in advance.
Australian Museum Members receive free entry to the exhibition on their first visit.
While you're at the Museum, don't miss Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires, the award-winning international exhibition that takes visitors beyond ancient myths to uncover the surprising science behind the world's most infamous blood feeders. Through interactive exhibits, touchable models, microscopes and a mosquito swarm simulator, visitors can discover the remarkable ways blood-feeding creatures have evolved and the surprising role they play in ecosystems, medicine and scientific research. The exhibition also explores the supernatural bloodsuckers of legend and popular culture that these curious creatures have inspired throughout history.
For tickets and full program details, visit australian.museum.
Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires is proudly supported by hotel partner, Pullman Sydney Hyde Park. Pullman Sydney Hyde Park is offering family-of-four accommodation packages for Australian Museum visitors, including tickets to Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires exhibition, buffet breakfast, overnight accommodation, and an activity pack for children. The hotel is only a three-minute walk from the Australian Museum. Bloodsuckers: Nature’s Vampires is also proudly supported by PetSure, connecting insurance, innovation and veterinary care to help improve access to pet healthcare in Australia.
For tickets and information, visit australian.museum.
Download the media release
Media contact
Clare Patience
Head of Communications Australian Museum
media@australian.musuem
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 on some of the most pressing environmental and social challenges facing our region, but also an important site of cultural exchange and learning. Visit www.australian.museum
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 premium 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.
