Beautiful view of Australian Museum
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Australian Museum

Sydney, Australia
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Beautiful view of Australian Museum

On College Street, in the heart of Sydney’s cultural district, a walk through the Australian Museum is not just a trip into history. It is a chance to stand face-to-face with Australia’s many stories—the ancient, the wild, the scientific, and the unexpected. Crowds mill about under giant dinosaur skeletons as vibrant displays of First Nations culture, dazzling gemstones, and natural wonders come into view. The museum stretches beyond dusty display cases: it hums with school groups, researchers, families, and curious travelers all drawn by the country’s living, evolving narrative.

Visiting Info

Currency
Entrance fee
Free
Hours
Opening hours
Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Contact Information

Location
Address
1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010, Australia
Phone
Website

Planning your visit

With its central location opposite Hyde Park, the Australian Museum is easy to add to any Sydney itinerary. Weekday mornings bring a little more peace—weekends and school holidays turn the halls into a lively bustle. Entry is free for general admission, though some major exhibitions carry a ticket. Allow between two to four hours to see the highlights and pause at a café or museum shop. The building, which blends historical sandstone with modern glass, is wheelchair accessible, and strollers are welcome.

  • Best time to visit: Weekday mornings or late afternoons; spring and autumn offer milder weather and pleasant walks in the nearby park.
  • How to get there: A short stroll from Museum or St James train stations; many bus routes stop along Elizabeth and College Streets. Paid parking is available but limited.
  • Accessibility: Elevators, ramps, accessible toilets; family change rooms and free stroller loan at the cloakroom.
  • Average visit duration: Two to four hours, longer if joining a guided tour or special exhibition.

Must see stuff

The museum’s grand central hall showcases the famous dinosaur skeletons—towering, toothy, and irresistible for kids and camera fans. Yet, quieter galleries nearby display rare Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artifacts, with digital stories shared in living voices. Upstairs, the Wild Planet exhibit houses over 400 animals, from polar bears to kangaroos, arranged to highlight surprising evolutionary links. Downstairs, the Minerals gallery sparkles with gemstones and gold nuggets. Temporary exhibits might bring in Egyptian mummies one month, or mysterious deep-sea creatures the next. Don’t skip the rooftop café, with sweeping views over Hyde Park and city rooftops—ideal for a breather or an iconic selfie.

  • Key sights or features: Dinosaur skeletons (notably the T. rex and Muttaburrasaurus); First Nations cultural collections; Wild Planet animal displays; glittering gems and fossils in the Minerals gallery.
  • Unique experiences: Daily tours run by expert guides; hands-on Discovery Centre with animal skeletons and live insects; school holiday science shows.
  • Photo-worthy locations: Grand staircase; balcony overlooking the exhibition hall; rooftop café with city skyline backdrop.
  • Cultural or historical facts: The oldest museum in Australia (founded 1827); home to thousands of Indigenous objects, many donated or loaned back by their communities; leader in wildlife research and conservation.

Tips for your visit

Although big crowds can thicken around popular exhibitions, pockets of solo exploration still wait in smaller galleries or tucked-away study spaces. Grab a free floor plan at the entrance—this helps avoid backtracking through long, echoing corridors. Food and drink aren’t allowed in exhibition halls, but the rooftop café offers child-friendly options and barista-made coffee. Temporary exhibitions often require booking in advance, especially for blockbuster events. For younger kids, the Search & Discover area supplies puzzles and bug specimens for curious hands. Cloakrooms are free, though lines form on rainy days. If exploring with teens, the museum’s app brings extra facts and historic trivia right to phone screens.

  • Best times to avoid crowds: Arrive before 11am or after 3pm on weekdays; avoid NSW school holidays if seeking quiet time.
  • What to bring: Reusable water bottle, comfortable walking shoes, light jacket (the older sections get cool), camera or charged phone.
  • Local etiquette or rules: Respect photography signage, especially around sacred First Nations artifacts; remain with children in Discovery Centre; eating is only allowed in designated café or lounge areas.
  • Safety or comfort advice: Some exhibits are dimly lit or contain loud sounds—listeners with sensitivity should note special signage or request headphones at the front desk.