Visit & Book
Experience science, culture and nature in the heart of Sydney at the Australian Museum. Visit today with free general entry!
Visitor information
Nature, science and culture at Australia’s first museum
A visit to the Australian Museum (AM) is the perfect day out for families and visitors of all ages. Discover immersive exhibitions and interactive experiences including a Dinosaurs exhibition open every day, except Christmas day.
The Australian Museum is located in the heart of Sydney at 1 William Street, directly opposite Hyde Park and near Museum Station. We're open daily from 10am to 5pm. As Australia's first museum and a leading cultural institution, we invite you to explore our collections and connect with our region's natural science, history and cultural knowledge.
Admission and opening hours
Admission
General entry to the Australian Museum is FREE. Fees apply for major exhibitions – please check our What's On calendar for details.
Opening Hours
Open daily 10am-5pm (closed Christmas Day)
Note: Burra learning space and Billabong Waterhole Café close at 4:30pm
Tickets
Not required for permanent exhibitions with General Entry. Book online for special exhibitions and events.
Getting here
Location
1 William Street, Sydney NSW 2010. Corner of College Street and William Street, opposite Hyde Park and St Mary's Cathedral. Easy access from public transport and close to Sydney's CBD.
Public transport and parking
- Train: Museum, Town Hall or St James train stations
- Metro: Gadigal metro station
- Bus: Town Hall or Hyde Park stops
- Light rail: Town Hall light rail station
- Parking: There is no on-site parking at the Museum, but there are numerous parking stations nearby and in the CBD, including Wilson Parking in the Domain.
Free tourist attraction in Sydney
The Australian Museum is one of Sydney's most popular free tourist attractions, located at 1 William Street in Sydney's CBD. General entry is free, making it an affordable day out for families and visitors of all ages, and perfect for a weekend with kids on a rainy day in Sydney.
What to see
Australian animals
Discover Australia's unique wildlife, from the iconic koala to deadly snakes and the extinct Tasmanian tiger. Meet giant wombats and fanged kangaroos in Surviving Australia (Level 2), then explore more than 400 animals and the importance of biodiversity in Wild Planet (Upper Ground floor).
First Nations Cultures
Garrigarrang: Discover the rich cultures and spiritual traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Salt Water Peoples in Garrigarrang (Upper Ground Floor). Discover traditional objects and culture from around Australia’s sea country – one of the world's oldest continuing cultures.
Wansolmoana: Discover Pasifika cultures in Wansolmoana – 'One Salt Ocean' (Level 1). Explore connections across the Pacific through traditional objects and contemporary stories that celebrate island heritage and oceanic ties.
Dinosaurs
Walk among real dinosaur skeletons and life-sized models in our Dinosaurs exhibition (Level 2). Discover prehistoric creatures including the Australian Muttaburrasaurus, T. rex and fossil skulls - perfect for young palaeontologists and Jurassic Park fans alike.
Westpac Long Gallery
Discover 100 treasured objects and 100 extraordinary Australian stories in the 200 Treasures of the Australian Museum (Level G). From rare specimens and valued artefacts to tales of scientists, explorers, artists and pioneers, this exhibition reveals the people and objects that shaped Australia and our understanding of the natural world.
FAQs
Planning your visit
General entry to the Australian Museum is FREE and no ticket is required. Special exhibitions and programs may require paid tickets. Please check our What's On calendar for details.
Book tickets online or purchase them at the admissions desk when you arrive. We recommend booking online to secure your preferred time, especially during weekends and school holidays.
Most visitors spend between 2-4 hours at the Museum. A highlights visit, including a special exhibition, takes about 2 hours, while exploring our permanent exhibitions in more depth can take 3-4 hours or longer.
Families with young children often enjoy a half-day visit of 2-3 hours including time in our hands-on Burra learning space.
The Australian Museum offers learning opportunities for education and community groups of all ages. Groups of 10 or more require advanced booking – at least two weeks for permanent exhibitions, or earlier for special exhibitions.
For more information, please visit our Education and group bookings page.
Facilities
View our visitor map for indoor locations of exhibitions, toilets and amenities as well as information about low, medium and high sensory areas across our galleries.
Discover the location of our special and permanent galleries spaces, Museum Shop, food with a view and Members Lounge to visit at the Australian Museum.
Baby change rooms are available on Lower Ground near Cloaking, and in the Level 2 Parents Room.
Our cloaking room is located on Lower Ground (LG) and is open during business hours. Please ensure items are collected ten minutes before closing.
Enjoy a range of food and drink options during your visit to the Australian Museum.
Bistro Gadi (Level 4): Fresh seasonal menu with harbour views. Open 11am - 3pm. View current menu and opening days.
Billabong Waterhole Café (Level 2): Family-friendly café serving coffee, sandwiches, snacks and hot and cold beverages. Open daily 10am - 4:30pm
Hintze Hall Espresso Bar (Upper Ground): Quick coffee and snacks near the entrance. Open daily 10am - 4pm.
The Australian Museum is committed to accessibility and inclusion for all visitors.
The Museum has wheelchair accessible entrances marked on the Museum Map and a range of accessible services and programs, including Audio Descriptive tours that you can access on your own mobile device.
A Changing Places facility is available on Level 2 next to the lifts, equipped with a full-sized change table and hoist. Please request the access to this facility from any AM staff, security or from the admission desk.
The AM Visual Story has also been created for visitors on the autism spectrum and those with sensory sensitivities to prepare for their visit.
Membership
Australian Museum Members receive FREE and discounted entry to special exhibitions, 10% discount at the Museum Shop and eateries, invitations to exclusive members-only events with access to the Members Lounge, and 20% discount on programs and events.
Join today and be part of what makes the Australian Museum extraordinary!
The Members Lounge is located on Lower Ground. Members can enjoy a relaxing space with complimentary tea, coffee and light refreshments, free WiFi, a library, and children's activities.
Visitor guidelines
Photography is permitted for personal use in most areas of the Museum without flash, tripods or selfie sticks. Special conditions apply to First Nations galleries and objects protected under Indigenous Cultural and Intellectual Property (ICIP). See our photography guidelines and Terms of Entry.
To ensure the safety of visitors and our collections, luggage, large bags, weapons (real or toy), aerosol containers, paint, solvents, laser pointers, drones and balloons are not permitted. Smoking, eating outside designated areas, and commercial activities are prohibited. Assistance animals are welcome. For more information, please see our Terms of Entry.
To ensure visitor safety and protect our collections, please follow these Terms of Entry.