Museum news

Scientific discoveries, ground-breaking expeditions, jaw-dropping exhibitions and Australia's biggest museum collection.

2018 Sleek Geeks Science Eureka Prizes finalists, Owen and Abby

Supporting young scientists across the nation

Now, more than ever, we must guide school students in developing a deeper appreciation and understanding of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines.

20 April 2021

Learn more

Group photo of children in Scientist for a Day program

Scientist for a Day: Malacologist

Over two sold-out days during the April 2021 school holidays, budding malacologists were hosted by Australian Museum staff in the ever-popular Scientist for a Day (SFAD) program.

23 April 2021

D.39416 Sutton Hoo ship rivet (55 mm long) and ‘rove’.

A Sutton Hoo ship rivet, the Australian Museum and a War Hero

As a result of the new film on Netflix, The Dig, there has been renewed interest in the Anglo-Saxon ship burial site, Sutton Hoo. We have found a surprising link between the 1400-year-old Sutton Hoo burial, the Australian Museum, and a WWII war hero.

15 April 2021

See all news

Latest

Red-crowned Toadlet (Pseudophryne australis).

Which frogs are best equipped to survive the human world?

We rank Australia’s frog species based on how likely they are to persist in human modified habitats – with some surprising results!

4 May 2021

Jacky Ward, Evan Yanna Muru Gallard and Wayne Brennan recording one of the recently discovered grinding grooves and engraving sites on the Wollemi travel route, September 2004

This month in Archaeology: 2020-21 AMF/AMRI Visiting Research Fellow on the Rock Art Recovery Project

Wayne Brennan, a 2020-21 AMF/AMRI Visiting Research Fellow, discusses how scientists and Aboriginal communities work together on the Rock Art Recovery Project - two ways walking together side by side.

01 May 2021

Ngukurr Wi Stadi bla Kantri (We Study the Country) Research Team, Macquarie University; Yugul Mangi Rangers; and Ngukurr School

Prized connections - combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science

Hear from Dr Emilie Ens, cross-cultural ecologist and co-winner of a Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.

Which frogs are best equipped to survive the human world?

We rank Australia’s frog species based on how likely they are to persist in human modified habitats – with some surprising results!

4 May 2021

In mid-February 2021, most of these corals are in various stages of bleaching.

News from LIRS: 2021 Coral bleaching at Lizard Island

Each month, a selected blog from Lizard Island Reef Research Foundation will be featured at the AM. For this inaugural month, we feature the 2021 Coral bleaching at Lizard Island blog, by Dr Anne Hoggett.

22 April 2021

Western Foxfish (Bodianus frenchii) observed along the south coast of Western Australia

Moving south: how fishes are adapting to climate change

Moving south may be the best protection for marine fish in the face of rising ocean temperatures, but how far south can they go?

29 January 2020

Learn more

Australian Museum Research Institute

Image of rainforests in Northeast NSW. Photographer: Chris Reid

The hunt for the not-so-elusive dung beetle

Last month, Dr Chris Reid and Aidan Runagall-McNaull arrived in Northeast NSW to determine the impacts of the 2019-20 bushfires on dung beetle populations. Now nearing the end of their fieldwork, there is some good news to report.

13 April 2021

A journey through time and place in search of a snake

How was the Australian Keelback snake (Tropidonophis mairii) named? A historical investigation has led to the identification of where the snake came from – but with a twist.

31 March 2021

Mount Ky Quan San Horned Frog (Megophrys frigida).

A new species of tiny horned frog found at the top of a mist-shrouded mountain

An international team from Vietnam, the UK and Australia set off on a mission to find Critically Endangered frog species in the Hoang Lien Range in northern Vietnam – and on the way, they found a species new to science!

20 March 2021

Chief Jerry Taki Uminduru, (1942- 2021) examining Erromango collection

Vale Chief Jerry Taki Uminduru, southern Erromango, Vanuatu

The recent passing of Chief Jerry Taki Uminduru, (1942- 2021) a Vanuatu Cultural Centre Fieldworker from southern Erromango Island, has brought great sadness to everyone who had the privilege of knowing and working with him.

9 March 2021

Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land

“Always Was, Always Will Be Aboriginal Land” is an important statement within First Nations communities.

By Laura McBride

Fire management on Country

You do not need to be a scientist to know that the environment is sick. That how we are managing Country is not working and things need to dramatically change.

By Rachael Cavanagh