Cultivating curious minds on the Sydney Science Trail

Sydney, Saturday 15 August 2026: Science is breaking out of labs and classrooms and into the minds of young people this August as Sydney Science Trail returns for National Science Week, from 15-23 August, 2026.

A collaboration between the Australian Museum (AM) and Botanic Gardens of Sydney, the Sydney Science Trail brings together students, families, researchers and science enthusiasts for accessible live shows, hands-on experiments, meet-the-scientist opportunities, behind-the-scenes tours and interactive workshops inspired by this year’s theme ‘Seeds of Science: Nurturing knowledge for all’.

Now in its seventh year, the Sydney Science Trail has become a flagship event for curious thinkers, connecting thousands of visitors to the fascinating work that happens at the Botanic Gardens and the AM every day. The program includes school excursions, free Community Days and special events designed to spark curiosity and make science accessible for audiences of all ages.

Australian Museum Director and CEO Kim McKay AO said Sydney Science Trail is an important event that showcases the endless possibilities of science and how it informs a deeper connection to the planet.

"One of the most important things the Australian Museum seeks to achieve is ensure our visitors feel connected to the natural world, and the Sydney Science Trail is one of the most important, and popular, ways to achieve this,” Kim McKay said.

“Last year, we welcomed around 15,000 students, families and science-minded visitors to our free and low-cost activities. By opening the AM’s collections, sharing our research and connecting our scientists to the public, we're proving that science isn't something that only happens in laboratories, it's something that belongs to everyone."

Botanic Gardens of Sydney Chief Executive Simon Duffy AM said that this year’s National Science Week theme, ‘Seeds of Science’, represents the Gardens’ core purpose to inspire enjoyment, learning and conservation of nature.

"Science starts with curiosity, and there are few better places to inspire that curiosity than in our gardens. Sydney Science Trail gives people of all ages the opportunity to connect with the wonder of plants, explore the science that underpins conservation, and discover how research is helping protect our unique environment for future generations,” Simon Duffy said.

The festivities kick off on Saturday 15 August with a free Community Day at the AM hosted by the Surfing Scientist, Ruben Meerman. More than 15 activities will transform the AM into a living laboratory, with Creative Science’s ‘Let’s Go! Science Show’, special appearances from Winny, the AM’s resident dinosaur, hands-on experiments as well as opportunities to meet Australian Museum Research Institute scientists.

Optional $10 ticketed experiences include the Robotics in Action Show, live Butterfly House, Bug-Tastic! Workshop, nature photography workshop and the Science Expo, featuring more than 20 science organisations. Science Expo tickets also include entry to the AM's hit exhibition Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires.

On Wednesday 19 August, the Australian Museum will open after dark for the adults-only Science Social, a free evening of live music, pop-up exhibits and conversations bringing researchers, experts and science enthusiasts together to celebrate scientific innovation.

The final Community Day heads to the Australian Botanic Garden Mount Annan on Saturday 22 August, inviting families to step behind the scenes of the Australian PlantBank, National Herbarium of New South Wales and the Garden's plant nursery, while exploring interactive activities celebrating plants, conservation and scientific discovery.

Families can get hands-on with everything from "alien autopsies" on cacti specimens to encounters with carnivorous plants, while discovering how Botanic Gardens of Sydney’s scientists and horticulturalists are protecting Australia's native plants for the future.

August is the Australian Museum's month of science, with Sydney Science Trail joined by the 2026 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, Australia's premier science awards; and the final weeks of the blockbuster exhibition Bloodsuckers: Nature's Vampires, where visitors can take advantage of a special 2-for-1 ticket prices for the remainder of the exhibition's run.

UTS Sydney is a proud to be university partner for the Sydney Science Trail. Students can visit their stalls at the Science Expo (included in all bookings) and learn directly from the experts through our Science Talks panel discussions. Don’t forget to say hello at the Community Day and Science Community Networking Night.

Event details:

Sydney Science Trail

15–23 August 2026

Australian Museum and Botanic Gardens of Sydney

For tickets and information, visit australian.museum.

Media contact

Matt Fraser E: matt@moxee.au M: 0401 326 007
Vyvy Yong E: vyvy@moxee.au M: 0412 090 372

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 Botanic Gardens of Sydney

Botanic Gardens of Sydney encompasses three world-leading botanic gardens, Australia’s premier botanical research institute, and Sydney’s leading outdoor activation precinct. The organisation is founded on a passion for botanical science and horticulture and enriched by its relationship with Traditional Custodians. Botanic Gardens envisages a fair and sustainable world where people, communities and institutions are informed, inspired and motivated to recognise the power of plants and support their conservation.