If you are looking for a place to learn more about Australia’s maritime history and culture, you might want to visit the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney. This museum is not only a collection of exhibits and artifacts, but also a cultural hub and a research center that explores the stories of the sea and its impact on Australia and the world.
Australian National Maritime Museum
The museum is located at the northern end of Darling Harbour, a vibrant waterfront area that offers plenty of attractions, dining and entertainment options. The museum is open from 10am to 4pm on weekdays and from 9:30am to 5pm on weekends and school holidays. You can book your tickets online or at the museum entrance. The museum offers free entry to its permanent galleries, but you can also purchase a See It All Ticket that gives you unlimited access to everything at the museum, including its amazing fleet of vessels.
The museum’s fleet consists of historic ships, navy vessels, a cold war submarine and a replica of the Duyfken, the first European ship to reach Australia in 1606. You can climb aboard these vessels and experience what life was like for sailors, explorers, migrants and naval personnel. You can also visit the immersive experience Action Stations, which showcases the drama and danger of naval warfare through interactive exhibits, simulations and films.
The museum’s galleries display a variety of exhibitions that cover different aspects of Australia’s maritime heritage and contemporary issues. Some of the current exhibitions include:
– Brickwrecks: Sunken Ships in LEGO® Bricks, which features stunning models of shipwrecks made from LEGO bricks by artist Ryan McNaught.
– Wildlife Photographer of the Year, which showcases the most spectacular images of nature captured by photographers from around the world.
– Shaped by the Sea, which explores how the ocean influences our lives, culture and identity.
– Migration Stories, which tells the stories of people who came to Australia by sea, from convicts and refugees to celebrities and adventurers.
– Deep Dive, which reveals the secrets of the deep ocean and its amazing creatures.
– Garrigarrang Garagaru – Saltwater Cloud, which celebrates the living cultural connections of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to ancestral waters.
– Serving Country, which honours the service and sacrifice of Indigenous Australians in defence of our nation.
The museum also hosts various events, programs and activities for visitors of all ages and interests. You can join guided tours, talks, workshops, performances and festivals that enrich your museum experience. You can also explore the museum’s online resources, such as podcasts, videos, blogs and games that bring maritime stories to life.
The Australian National Maritime Museum is more than just a museum. It is a place where you can discover your connection to the sea and learn how it shaped our world and continues to transform us today. Whether you are a history buff, a nature lover, a LEGO fan or a curious explorer, you will find something to enjoy at this museum. So don’t miss this opportunity to visit one of Sydney’s most fascinating attractions!
image only used for informational purposes. mr
