Visit the Australian Museum in Sydney
Visit a working museum in the heart of Sydney to discover First Nations cultures, our collection of Australian dinosaurs, and the deadliest of down under spiders.
Nature, science and culture meet at Australia’s first museum
The Australian Museum is in the centre of Sydney city, opposite Hyde Park. It is easy to get to, accessible and perfect to visit whether it is sunny or raining. Open from 10am - 5pm Monday to Sunday, plan your visit to the Australian Museum and discover the extraordinary exhibitions on display.
Discover the Australian Museum in Sydney
You can discover the natural history and culture of Australia and the Pacific, right here in Sydney.
The Australian Museum is about more than the past. It’s a working museum where scientists, researchers and curators explore the wonders of our world - and you can too.
Experience the newly renovated Australian Museum for free.
Enjoy expanded galleries, more of our collection on display, transformed gathering spaces, a new shop, a second café, a renovated Members Lounge and updated amenities.
Visit Australia’s first museum in the heart of Sydney to discover Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, our collection of Australian dinosaurs, and the deadliest of down under animals. See you at the Australian Museum.
What are the highlights of the Australian Museum?
Visit us to explore the Southern Hemisphere’s largest collection of natural, cultural and historical objects and specimens at Australia’s first museum.
There’s a lot to see at the Australian Museum. The highlights include:
First Nations cultures in Garrigarrang (Sea Country).
Getting up close with dinosaurs and Australian animals on Level 2.
The Westpac Long Gallery, Australia’s first gallery, showcases 100 treasures from our collections alongside the stories of 100 of Australia’s most-influential people.
Shop for beautiful objects inspired by our collections. All proceeds help fund our science, education and exhibitions programs.
Learn about First Nations culture
Experience Earth’s oldest continuous living culture in our First Nations gallery. Garrigarrang (Sea Country) takes visitors on a journey to understand Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history, culture and lived experiences.
Explore the Dauma & Garom ghost net sculptures as part of our permanent Indigenous Australians exhibition space. The sculptures are made from discarded fishing nets that litter the waters off northern Australia. Indigenous artists and community members sculpt them to tell traditional stories and highlight the damage ghost nets cause.
Australian Museum First Nations tours
Aboriginal guides lead Waranara First Nations tours. Learn about Country and culture through a tour of the First Nations Gallery.
Bookings are required for groups of 10 or more and must be made at least two weeks in advance. Private First Nations gallery tours can be booked by contacting group.bookings@australian.museum.
What Australian animals can I see at the Museum?
Dangerous Australians: Funnel Webs and Redback spiders
Australia has 10,000 species of spiders, but despite their deadly reputation, only a few are harmful to humans. See the deadly Sydney Funnel Web and female Redback up close.
The duck-billed platypus
Discover the most mysterious of Australian animals - the duck-billed platypus. This animal is so unusual, many European scientists thought it was a fake.
Exhibition highlights
200 Treasures of the Australian Museum
The Westpac Long Gallery is home to 200 Treasures of the Australian Museum. Australia’s first museum gallery showcases the objects, ideas and people who have shaped our nation. Our Aussie treasures include the world’s purest gold nugget - and our Princess of Pop Music, Kylie Minogue.
Over 400 animals under one roof!
Come and see life on earth in all its glorious diversity in our Wild Planet exhibition. In Wild Planet you will come face to face with nature’s giants: an elephant, a rhinoceros, a giraffe, a lion, a tiger and a bear. Marvel at a Sperm Whale skeleton, and see the largest bird and moth on Earth. You will also see extinct species like the Thylacine, and learn why preserving biodiversity is so important.
Australian Museum Shop
Remember your visit with a souvenir from the Australian Museum Shop. Buy unique Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks, Australian gemstones, and designer gifts from local artists.
The Shop is on the ground floor and is open during Museum hours.
You can pay at the shop with cash (Australian dollars), or with all major debit and credit cards.
Food and drinks
Enjoy a coffee alongside a sandwich, fruit salad or snack at our family-friendly cafe, the Billabong Waterhole.
Billabong Waterhole, located on Level 2, offers easy, family-friendly light meals, snacks, cold drinks, tea and coffee. Take away or eat in.
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