20+ Best Museums In Australia

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Australia has a rich and diverse history, and its museums offer visitors a fascinating glimpse into its past, present, and future. Here are the top 30 museums in Australia that you should visit, each with a brief description of what makes them unique.

Australian Museum (Sydney)

Australia’s oldest museum, with collections on natural history, Indigenous cultures, and the Pacific region.

National Museum of Australia (Canberra)

A museum dedicated to telling the story of Australia, with exhibits on Indigenous history, colonialism, and contemporary culture.

Melbourne Museum

A comprehensive museum with exhibits on science, natural history, and Indigenous cultures.

Australian War Memorial (Canberra)

A museum dedicated to honoring Australia’s military history and those who have served.

Art Gallery of New South Wales (Sydney)

A museum showcasing Australian and international art, with a focus on contemporary and Indigenous art.

Queensland Museum (Brisbane)

A museum with exhibits on science, natural history, and Queensland’s cultural heritage.

National Gallery of Victoria (Melbourne)

A museum with a vast collection of Australian and international art, including modern and contemporary works.

Western Australian Museum (Perth)

A museum with exhibits on Western Australia’s natural and cultural history.

Powerhouse Museum (Sydney)

A museum focused on science, technology, and design, with interactive exhibits and hands-on activities.

Museum of Old and New Art (Hobart)

A contemporary art museum with provocative and thought-provoking exhibits.

National Portrait Gallery (Canberra)

A museum with a collection of portraits of prominent Australians.

South Australian Museum (Adelaide)

A museum with exhibits on natural history, Aboriginal culture, and Australian history.

National Film and Sound Archive (Canberra)

A museum dedicated to preserving Australia’s film and sound heritage.

Australian Centre for the Moving Image (Melbourne)

A museum dedicated to the art and culture of film, television, and digital media.

Sydney Living Museums (Sydney)

A group of museums and historic sites showcasing Sydney’s colonial and Victorian history.

Australian National Maritime Museum (Sydney)

A museum with exhibits on Australia’s maritime history, including ships, submarines, and navigational equipment.

Old Melbourne Gaol

A former prison turned museum, with exhibits on Victoria’s criminal history and famous inmates like Ned Kelly.

Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery (Hobart)

A museum with exhibits on Tasmanian natural history, art, and cultural heritage.

National Trust of Australia (various locations)

A non-profit organization dedicated to preserving Australia’s historic buildings and sites.

Sovereign Hill (Ballarat)

A living history museum that recreates an 1850s gold rush town, with costumed interpreters and interactive exhibits.

Queensland Art Gallery and Gallery of Modern Art (Brisbane)

A museum showcasing Australian and international art, with a focus on modern and contemporary works.

National Railway Museum (Adelaide)

A museum dedicated to Australia’s railway history, with exhibits on trains, locomotives, and railway technology.

Museum of Brisbane

A museum with exhibits on Brisbane’s history, culture, and contemporary art.

National Sports Museum (Melbourne)

A museum dedicated to Australia’s sporting history, with exhibits on cricket, football, rugby, and other sports.

Australian National Aviation Museum (Melbourne)

A museum with exhibits on Australia’s aviation history, including planes, helicopters, and engines.