Night Owls: An autism and sensory-friendly night out for adults

Night Owls is designed for autistic people and those with sensory sensitivities. Features of this event may also benefit visitors with other access requirements and their families or friends. This event is recommended for people aged 16+.

Night Owls events align with the Australian Museum's Accessibility and Inclusion Action Plan 2018-21 (AIAP) to break down barriers that hinder the full and effective participation of people with access requirements, and create a place where everyone can be inspired to explore and understand our natural and cultural worlds.

Night Owls is a gateway event where visitors become familiar with the Australian Museum in a safe and supportive environment, in order to feel comfortable and confident visiting us again.

During Night Owls, you may dress up if you would like. Dress up could include costumes such as superheroes or cartoon characters, my best or favourite outfit, or any other clothes that you feel comfortable in.

Remember that your dress up can’t show any of your private body parts, and if you wear something that covers your face, you must be able to remove it so security can see your face on entry.

• Night Owls events have limited capacity to reduce crowds, queues and associated noise.
• The Museum adjusts lighting and turns down or switches off loud unexpected sounds, such as dinosaurs roaring.
• High sensory areas are indicated on the Museum map and in the Visual Story.
• Hand-dryers are turned off and paper towel is available in toilet facilities.
• Designated quiet spaces are available for use to take a break and reset before continuing on your Museum adventure!

The Museum closes to the general public at 5pm and reopens at 6pm for the Night Owls event. The Museum closes for the Night Owls event at 9pm.

Everything you would do during opening hours and more! You can draw, listen to experts talk about their favourite scientific topics, take dancing lessons as part of our Silent Disco, have a glass of wine (if you're over 18) and snack at the pop-up bar.

This is the Australian Museum's third Night Owls program, and hopefully there are more to come. To be the first to know about our next Night Owls event, subscribe to our eNewsletter.

You can also come to our Early Birds mornings, which happen four times a year.

There is currently no onsite parking at the Museum. We recommend parking at nearby car parks and metered parking in surrounding streets. Enacon Parking on Cathedral Street has 11 accessible spots and is a 3 minute walk to the Australian Museum. This route has no steps. For more information please refer to the Enacon Parking website.

For more information on parking and public transport options visit our parking and transport page.

Yes, more detailed information on the Museum’s accessibility features can be found here.