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.
