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

Location: Wild Planet, UG

Time: 6 - 9pm

Slip on a headset and wander the galleries where you can choose between three channels: a live set from Justin Rynne, spinning disco, pop and house favourites to keep the energy high, or curated playlists designed to complement the Museum after dark. Choose your channel, set your own volume, and move at your own pace. A museum experience you can quite literally vibe your way through.

Location: Wild Planet, UG

Time: 6.30pm, 7.15pm, 8pm

Join award-winning choreographer Liz Lea for a playful dance workshop inspired by the remarkable birds found throughout the Museum’s galleries. In this relaxed, drop-in session, explore simple movements drawn from bird behaviours, from fluttering wings to curious head tilts, and discover how the natural world can inspire the way we move. No dance experience needed, just curiosity and a willingness to try something new.

Location: Westpac Long Gallery, G

Time: 6 - 9pm (drop-in)

Step back in time in Wild Planet and enjoy a selection of free retro tabletop games. Drop in anytime to play classic favourites in a relaxed setting, whether you stay for a quick round or settle in for a longer game.

Location: Theatre, UG

Time: 6 - 9pm

Step into the Library of the Unusual. A curious collection pulled straight from the pages of the Museum’s own library and archives. Discover quirky, cool, strange, and downright unbelievable drawings that blur the line between fact and folklore. Unearth the oddities hiding in plain sight.

Location: Hintze Hall, UG (mainstage)

Time: 6.30pm, 7.30pm, 8.30pm

Throughout the evening, join relaxed, live conversations with Australian Museum Research Institute (AMRI) experts. Facilitated by Lee Constable, hear fascinating stories from the people who work at the frontiers of science. Submit your questions via our roving reporter or simply listen in.

• 6.30pm: "Behind the bite” with Giovanni Ramon Cabrera (Collection Manager Entomology). Ever wondered what’s really going on beneath the buzz? Join one of the Museum’s experts for a bite-sized talk uncovering the surprising diversity and ecology of mozzies, shedding light on their hidden lives, curious behaviours, and the vital roles they play in our ecosystems.
• 7.30pm: “Unlocking the Archive” with Darcy Campbell (Project Archivist) Curious about what lives behind the scenes? Join one of the Museum’s archivists for a bite-sized talk diving into the Archives and Library, where unexpected objects, rare finds, and fascinating stories are waiting to be uncovered.
• 8.30pm: “Dracula Ants” with Elaine Tan (Digitising Technical Officer). What are Dracula ants, and why are they named that? Join an expert dive into the strange world of ant colonies as superorganisms, and discover the surprising behaviours behind one of nature’s most dramatically named insects.

Birds and mammals

• Location: Hintze Hall, UG (mainstage)
• Time: 7pm & 8pm

7pm: Erth’s Birds
8pm: Erth’s Mammals

Join Erth’s team of designers, makers and puppeteers as they present a menagerie of their exquisite creations live on stage. Presented by Erth artists Gabrielle Paananen, Albert David and Tom Caley.

Across two sessions the Erth team will share the secrets behind the stagecraft, highlighting the painstaking research and training undertaken to bring their puppet creations to life.

Surviving Australia

• Location: Surviving Australia, L2
• Time: 7.20pm & 8.20pm

Join Erth in the Surviving Australia gallery for a roving encounter with their extraordinary puppets, brought to life by a team of designers, makers and puppeteers.

Marine biodiversity and bees

• Location: Hintze Hall, UG
• Time: 6 - 9pm

Get up close to a curated selection of specimens and collection objects, supported by knowledgeable experts who can answer questions or simply let you explore independently. A tactile way to connect with our natural and cultural worlds.

• Marine Biodiversity with Jaever Santos (Senior Natural Sciences Collection Enhancement Project Coordinator)
• Bees with Allison Mellor (Environmental educator and Science communicator)

First Nations

• Location: Garrigarrang, G
• Time: 6 - 9pm

Step up to this touch table and respectfully explore First Nations objects and native plants through a hands-on tactile experience. Discover cultural knowledge, living traditions, and the deep connection between people and Country as you engage with stories grounded in care, place, and community.

Invertebrates

• Location: L1 landing
• Time: 6 - 9pm

Get up close to a curated selection of specimens and collection objects, supported by knowledgeable experts who can answer questions or simply let you explore independently. A tactile way to connect with our natural and cultural worlds.

• Invertebrates with Naomi Huynh

Dinosaur

• Location: Dinosaur Gallery, L2
• Time: 6 - 9pm

Step up to this touch table and get hands-on with dinosaur fossils and specimens up close. Hold real remains and replicas of prehistoric life, from a Centrosaurus backbone to a Suchomimus hand claw, and discover how these incredible creatures once lived on our planet millions of years ago.

Location: Hintze Hall, UG

Time: 6 - 9pm (drop-in)

Put pen to paper and help celebrate the 100^th birthday of David Attenborough. Drop into this hands-on letter writing activity and reflect on his extraordinary life and legacy. Get up close to unique artefacts from the Archives and Library and hear stories that bring Attenborough’s extraordinary life and work into focus

Location: Minerals Gallery, L1

Time: 6.45pm, 7.30pm, 8.15pm

Join a small-group guided tour with David Dixon, as you wander through the stunning Minerals Gallery. Discover the science and stories behind some of the Museum’s most dazzling specimens, delivered in a calm, paced format with space to pause, ask questions or simply take it all in.

Location: Billabong Waterhole, L2

Time: 6.15pm, 6.45pm, 7.45pm, 8.15pm

Drop in and explore hands-on STEM activities, guided by Creative Producer for Science Engagement, Janelle Townsend. these small-group workshops invite you to experiment, observe and discover at your own pace in a supportive and low-pressure environment.

Location: Wansolmoana, L2

Time: 6 - 9pm

Venture with the Australian Museum to the vast Pacific. From scented oils, vibrant weavings and patterned adornments. The beauty of the Pacific is diverse and unique. Join your guide for hands-on weaving, infused coconut oils and beaded pattern adornments.

Location: Dinosaurs Gallery, L2

Time: 6.30pm, 7.15pm, 8pm

Join a small-group guided tour with palaeontology student Alexander Goodman through the Dinosaur Gallery. Discover the evolutionary history and adaptations of various dinosaurs in the gallery, with the opportunity to ask questions at the end, delivered in a calm, paced and approachable format.

Location: Burra, L2

Time: 6 - 9pm (drop-in)

Drop in anytime during the evening to create your own paper tongue-eating louse, a surprisingly fascinating marine parasite. Using craft materials, learn how this extraordinary parasitic crustacean takes the place of a fish’s tongue in the ocean.

Location: Burra, L2

Time: 6 - 9pm

Prepare to descend into a world of sonic wonder with Nocturnal Worlds, an Audiocraft original podcast created with the Australian Museum. Nocturnal Worlds: journeys through nature for sleep and relaxation weaves together a symphony of nature sounds and captivating storytelling in an audio experience that highlights Australia’s unique nocturnal ecosystems.

Location: Education Room 1, LG

Time: 6 - 9pm

Step into a calm, low-lit quiet space designed for pause and restoration. With soft furnishings, layered rugs, and gentle lighting, this room offers a peaceful place to rest, reset, and take a break from the energy of the Museum at your own pace.

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

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

• Night Owls events have limited capacity to reduce crowds, queues and associated noise.
• The Museum will have lighting adjusted and loud unexpected sounds, such as dinosaurs roaring, will be switched off or down.
• High sensory areas will be indicated on the Museum map and in the Visual Story.
• Hand-dryers will be turned off and paper towel will be available in toilet facilities.
• Designated quiet spaces will be 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 will reopen 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 second Night Owls program, and hopefully there will be 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 happens 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.