About
The National Museum of Australia sits on Acton Peninsula in Canberra, the capital of Australia, in the Australian Capital Territory. It is a museum of the country's social history, and its collection and displays look at how Australians have lived, worked and understood themselves over time.
What you will find inside
The museum's exhibitions cover a wide range of subjects, from Indigenous culture to contemporary society. The approach is social history, so the focus falls on everyday life, communities and the stories that shape the nation, rather than on a single period or theme. Visitors interested in how Australia has changed, and in the different voices that make up its past and present, will find plenty to follow.
The building itself
The museum's colourful building is an attraction in its own right. Set on the peninsula, it stands out in a landscape of water and open space, and many visitors come as much to see the architecture as to walk through the galleries.
Planning a visit
- Allow time for the exhibitions, which cover a broad range of subjects.
- Pair the visit with a walk around the peninsula to see the building from different angles.
- Canberra's other national institutions are a short distance away, so the museum fits well into a day or a longer stay in the city.
For anyone curious about Australian social history and the many cultures that have shaped the country, the National Museum of Australia offers a thoughtful and engaging visit in the nation's capital.
