Learn about the people, places and events that shaped Australia in our national museum.
What do bark paintings, a 1960s running machine, convict clothes and the heart of race horse Phar Lap have in common? They each say something about Australian culture and history, and as such have a place
in the National Museum of Australia in Canberra.

Explore the stories of ordinary and extraordinary Australians in the Museum’s fascinating, interactive and sometimes irreverent collections. See a skinned Tasmanian Tiger and a pink 1950s caravan with Mexican-pattern curtains and a lino floor. Get up close to the white gloves that Aboriginal activist Faith Bandler wore when lobbying for the 1967 referendum. Together, these items tell different stories about Australia’s social history.

Learn about the Aboriginal understanding of death through creation stories painted on bark. You can place yourself at Sydney Cove after the arrival of the First Fleet or immerse yourself in Aboriginal dance and music. If you want to understand how and why Australians are the way we are, this is the place to come.

The Museum was built to reflect the diversity of its collections, and the vivid colours, unexpected shapes, angles and textures have created an architectural landmark on Canberra's Acton Peninsula. The museum doesn't look like a traditional museum and it certainly doesn't feel like one. With a focus on state-of-the-art technology and hands-on exhibitions, this is a place where Australia’s people, places and turning points in history really come to life.

Lose yourself and discover a country on a great day out at Canberra’s National Museum.