Plan your Australian Museum visit: Itineraries for families, tourists & culture lovers

Perfect for: Adults, couples, and families with older children seeking a rich cultural day out.

Admission: FREE general entry. Special exhibition tickets available online or at the Admissions Desk.

Morning (10am-12.30pm)

• Start at Crystal Hall (Ground Level) Collect your Australian Museum map at the front desk and begin your journey at the Acknowledgement of Country and the iconic Sydney Shield – a powerful symbol of resilience and connection to Gadigal land.
• Westpac Long Gallery: 200 Treasures of the Australian Museum (Levels UG & 1) Step into our sensory-friendly Westpac Long Gallery and discover 100 treasures of the Museum paired with 100 stories of influential Australians. Relax on the comfortable seating and take your time exploring. An Audio guide of exhibition highlights and an audio description tour are available via your mobile.
• Wild Planet (Level UG) Meet Australia's extraordinary wildlife alongside fascinating species from around the world. From the smallest insects to the largest mammals, every specimen tells a story of adaptation and survival. Listen to exhibition highlights or the audio description tour on your mobile.
• First Nations Gallery: Garrigarrang: Sea Country (Level UG) Explore the rich cultures, spiritual traditions and living identity of Australia's Salt Water People, from creation stories and whale ceremonies to first contact and the ongoing fight to preserve Country.

Lunch break (12.30pm-1.30pm)

• Bistro Gadi (Level 4) Catch a lift up to Level 4 for lunch and enjoy seasonal meals while taking in spectacular Sydney city views before your afternoon exploration.

Afternoon (1.30pm–4.30pm)

In the afternoon, discover the Australian Museum's permanent exhibitions on level 2!

• Birds of Australia (Level 2) From the iconic Sulphur-crested Cockatoo to the tiny, iridescent Regent Bowerbird, discover the remarkable diversity of Australian birdlife. This low-sensory gallery offers a peaceful moment to appreciate the beauty of our feathered neighbours.
• Dinosaurs (Level 2) Walk among life-size dinosaur skeletons and meet the ancient giants that once roamed Earth. Many fossil displays can be touched - feel the texture of bones that are millions of years old. Listen to the audio description tour on your mobile. Parent tip: This exhibition includes realistic dinosaur roars, thunder sounds, and flashing strobe lights. Bring sunglasses or headphones if your child is sensitive to sound and light.
• Surviving Australia (Level 2) Journey through Australia's prehistoric past into our modern environment. Touch ancient fossils, interact with digital displays, and discover how Australia's unique wildlife has adapted to survive in one of the world's harshest continents.
• Pasifika Gallery: Wansolmoana (Level 2) Wansolmoana translates to 'One Salt Ocean' - reflecting how Pacific Peoples are connected by ocean. Experience diverse Pasifika cultures through magnificent objects, interactive touchscreens and voices of Pasifika communities today.
• Billabong Waterhole Café (Level 2) Enjoy an afternoon coffee or snack break.
• Minerals (Level 1) After a refreshment at the Billabong Waterhole Café, head down the stairs and step into our darker, quieter Minerals exhibition featuring the Albert Chapman Collection. Explore over 2,000 minerals from around the world and witness the stunning variety of Earth's building blocks, from tiny crystals to huge mineral formations.

Before You Leave

• Museum Shop (Ground Level) Browse unique Australian gifts, minerals, books, and souvenirs. Popular items include sensory toys, stunning mineral specimens, and beautifully illustrated natural history books.
• Make a donation! Support the research and care of our collections by making a donation to the Australian Museum Foundation, or even become a Member to visit our next special exhibition for free!

Perfect for: Families with children under 12 looking for hands-on, educational fun.

Admission: FREE general entry for everyone - great value for the whole family!

Getting Started

• Start at Crystal Hall (Ground Level) Pick up your Australian Museum map at the front desk. Rainy day? Use our umbrella holders at the entrance.
• Cloakroom (Lower Ground) Drop off large bags and jackets here (free service). You'll receive a number tag - remember to collect your belongings at least 10 minutes before the Museum closes at 5pm. Toilets are located nearby, including baby change rooms.

Morning adventure

• Burra (Level 2) Meet burra (eel) and follow her extraordinary journey across thousands of kilometres, from ocean depths to Australian rivers. This hands-on learn space brings burra's migration story to life through interactive touchscreens, tactile objects you can handle, multimedia experiences and books. Discover why eels are vital to Australian ecosystems and the challenges they face today. Parent tip: Burra can get busy and loud during school holidays. Bring noise-reducing headphones if your child is sensitive to sound. Pram parking available outside.
• Surviving Australia (Level 2) From fanged kangaroos to giant wombats, kids will love coming face-to-face with Australia's most extraordinary creatures past and present. Explore fossils, life-sized displays and hands-on interactive elements across prehistoric landscapes, ancient oceans and modern city ecosystems.
• Dinosaurs (Level 2) Walk among life-size dinosaur skeletons and meet the ancient giants that once roamed Earth. Many fossil displays can be touched - feel the texture of bones that are millions of years old. Listen to the audio description tour on your mobile. Parent tip: This exhibition includes realistic dinosaur roars, thunder sounds, and flashing strobe lights. Bring sunglasses or headphones if your child is sensitive to sound and light.

Lunch break

• Take a break at Billabong Waterhole Café (Level 2) and enjoy a coffee and family-friendly meals including sandwiches, salads, drinks and kid-friendly options.

Afternoon exploration

After a fun morning and lunch on Level 2, head down to Hintze Hall to visit our permanent exhibitions on Upper Ground:

• Wild Planet (Level UG) Meet Australia's extraordinary wildlife alongside fascinating species from around the world. From the smallest insects to the largest mammals, every specimen tells a story of adaptation and survival. Listen to exhibition highlights or the audio description tour on your mobile.
• First Nations Gallery: Garrigarrang: Sea Country (Level UG) Experience Sea Country through First Nations voices and perspectives. The Ghost Net sculptures suspended from the ceiling transform discarded fishing nets - which litter northern Australian waters - into powerful statements about Country, care, and creative resilience.

Before you leave

• Museum Shop (Ground Level) Kids love our sensory toys, dinosaur figures and colourful mineral specimens - perfect take-home treasures to remember your adventure. We also have an online shop you can purchase unique gifts from!

Family facilities:

• Baby change rooms are available on Lower Ground near Cloaking, and in the Level 2 Parents Room.
• Toilets are on every level
• Seating areas throughout the Museum
• Hintze Hall tables and seating (you're welcome to bring your own food)

Perfect for: Special exhibition ticket holders, interstate and international visitors and time-limited explorers.

Admission: Special exhibition ticket required (online booking recommended). General entry to permanent exhibitions is free.

Perfect for: Special exhibition ticket holders, interstate and international visitors and time-limited explorers.

Admission: Special exhibition tickets are required (online booking recommended). General entry to permanent exhibitions and galleries is free.

Arrival

• Start at Crystal Hall (Ground Level) Collect your Australian Museum map at the front desk, purchase tickets to the special exhibition and begin your journey at the Acknowledgement of Country and the iconic Sydney Shield – a powerful symbol of resilience and connection to Gadigal land.
• Museum Shop (Ground Level) Browse unique Australian gifts and special exhibition merchandise while you're near the entrance.

Special exhibition

• Special exhibition entry via Hintze Hall (Level UG) Present your ticket purchased online or from the front desk at the Crystal Hall entrance, and enjoy our temporary special exhibition. Find out more about special exhibitions in our What's On calendar.

Lunch break

• Bistro Gadi (Level 4) Enjoy spectacular Sydney city views while refueling with delicious seasonal meals.
• Alternative: Billabong Waterhole Café (Level 2) or bring your own food to enjoy at Hintze Hall seating.

Australian Museum highlights

• First Nations Gallery: Garrigarrang: Sea Country (Level UG) Don't miss this essential Australian cultural experience. The Ghost Net sculptures transform discarded fishing nets from northern waters into powerful artworks. Learn about Gadigal land, the Country on which the Museum stands and the deep connection between First Nations Peoples and Sea Country.
• Pasifika Gallery: Wansolmoana (Level 2) Wansolmoana translates to "One Salt Ocean" – experience the diverse cultures of Pacific Island communities through stunning objects, interactive touchscreens, and contemporary stories.
• Surviving Australia (Level 2) Journey through Australia's prehistoric past into our modern environment. Touch ancient fossils, interact with digital displays, and discover how Australia's unique wildlife has adapted to survive in one of the world's harshest continents.

Getting Here

• Train: Museum, St James or Town Hall stations
• Metro: Gadigal station
• Bus: Routes along College Street
• Bag storage: Free cloakroom on Lower Ground