The Australian Museum houses a massive collection of natural science and cultural artifacts. Its natural history exhibits feature a whale skeleton and its world-renowned cultural collection includes ancient Egyptian mummies and tomb artifacts.
Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum is a child-friendly museum that’s dedicated to the science of technology. You can witness a lightning strike or learn how machine engines work.
1. Australian Museum
One of the most visited museums in Australia, the Australian Museum is a hub of knowledge with three main themes that include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and histories, Australian history and society since 1788, and Australia and its environment. With an array of special attractions including Phar Lap’s heart, Captain Cook’s navigational instruments and Square, Arched and Round windows from Play School this isn’t just a museum, it’s an experience!
It’s no secret that Australia has a unique natural history. The Australian Museum does justice to this, with collections of boomerangs, didgeridoos and baskets as well as stuffed recreations of some of the country’s most deadly creatures. There’s also a huge range of minerals and gemstones on display too, making this one of the best museums for anyone interested in rocks and crystals.
The National Museum of Victoria – Australia’s oldest museum – has an extensive art collection and an Oceanic exhibition highlighting the Pacific region’s indigenous cultures. It’s also the home to a WWI exhibit where visitors can step into the shoes of 32 Anzac-related individuals and follow their lives through a series of interactive displays.
Located in Federation Square, the Melbourne based Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) is the world’s most visited museum dedicated to film and digital culture. As well as being a leading international center for the study and presentation of contemporary Australian and global cinema, it has an extensive gallery with strength in figurative, abstract and landscape paintings as well as sculptures and prints. There’s a full range of events and activities throughout the year, so no matter when you visit you’ll find plenty to see and do.
It is impossible to get acquainted with the sights of Australia in one day, as well as in a week, but you can see the maximum number of new places with the help of a rented car at one of the country's airports. For example, in Sydney you can rent a car from 17 euros per day.
2. Powerhouse Museum
The Powerhouse Museum is one of Sydney’s most visited museums. The museum has a huge following of locals, inbound tourists and school groups. The museum is a flagship site of the Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences in Australia and houses an impressive collection of technology, design, fashion, art, science, and music with over half a million items to explore. The museum is situated in the heart of Sydney and is easy to reach from all major tourist attractions like Darling Harbour, Chinatown, and Central Station (Sydney Terminal).
The main mission of the museum is “To discover and be inspired by human ingenuity”. The museum features a diverse collection and exhibitions spanning across history, science, technology, design and decorative arts, industry, transport, and space exploration. The museum also houses a significant collection of material heritage and stories of Australian culture and lifestyle.
Located in Ultimo, the museum is housed in a converted electric tram power station built in 1902. The Powerhouse Museum has been around since 1988 and has undergone a complete rebuild. The new Powerhouse Museum is designed to international museum standards and will have expanded gallery spaces, a major urban space connecting the museum to The Goods Line, and increase open public space for outdoor programs.
The museum has many fun and educational activities for kids to enjoy. There are a range of interactive exhibits and displays, workshops for kids ages 7-11, and a range of special events and performances that showcase the best of the museum’s collections. The Wiggles Exhibition is always a hit with the children and the zero gravity space lab is a great way for them to experience the thrill of flying.
3. Australian Sports Museum
The Aussie Sports Museum reveals the country’s love affair with sport and some of its greatest athletic triumphs. Located inside the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground, affectionately known as the MCG, this museum celebrates Australia’s sporting heritage with displays and memorabilia from major events like Australian football, cricket and the Summer Olympics. The museum also includes memorabilia from other sports such as tennis, netball, rugby league and golf.
This is the best museum to visit in Sydney for the ultimate cultural experience. You’ll get to see some of the most stunning paintings, sculptures and prints from some of Australia’s most notable artists. This is a museum where you’ll want to spend more than a few hours just so you can soak in the works and learn about the people who created them.
In addition to showcasing contemporary art, this museum has some of the most important archaeological and ethnographic collections in the nation. It also houses the largest collection of Aboriginal art and features a variety of other exhibits including Asian, European and Pacific artwork. This museum is one of the most popular in Australia and a must-visit for any art fan.
This museum is one of the most visited museums in Australia and a must-visit in Melbourne. It’s filled with incredible interactive exhibitions that are sure to thrill any kid or adult. From virtual reality games to interactive learning, this is the place for anyone who wants to have fun and learn at the same time!
4. National Maritime Museum
Australia’s a strange land, with ancient indigenous cultures, harsh natural habitats and rough-and-ready British convict history, so it should come as no surprise that it boasts some pretty fascinating museums. Sydney lays claim to an ode to maritime history and culture, the largest collection of antiquities in the Southern Hemisphere and even a museum dedicated to koalas!
The National Maritime Museum (which is based at the MCG) offers a unique insight into our nation’s rich history with exhibitions like the Sport Australia Hall of Fame and Australian Cricket Hall of Fame. It also houses 3,500 artifacts like Melbourne Cup trophies and Olympic medals plus interactive experiences and holograms of sporting legends like Shane Warne and James Hird.
If you’re a lover of the arts, you should pay a visit to the National Gallery of Victoria – it’s one of the biggest art museums in Australia and is home to an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures and prints including works by artists like Monet, Rembrandt and van Gogh. The NGV is split into two different sites, with NGV International displaying contemporary art from Europe and Asia and the Ian Potter Centre which showcases more traditional Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art.
As we head into a post-Covid world with many nations lifting coronavirus restrictions, it will be interesting to see if visitors continue to flock to our museums. As the year progresses we can expect to see a resumption of visitor numbers at our top 10 most visited museums in Australia and perhaps a few newcomers making their way into the list. Enjoy your time visiting our incredible country’s museums and happy travels!
5. Nicholson Museum
Located in Canberra, the Australian National Museum is home to Australia’s largest art collections. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander art, as well as works from Asia and the Pacific. Visitors can also view works from modern Australia and Europe. The museum’s exhibits explore the history of the country through its artworks, as well as how Australia has developed in terms of cultural identity and social change.
The museum is a must-visit for anyone who loves learning about the country’s history and culture. The museum also has a variety of interactive and educational exhibits that are sure to fascinate all ages. There is also a cafe and gift shop, which makes it the perfect place to enjoy some delicious coffee or a light snack.
As the coronavirus pandemic begins to fade, many museums are reopening and preparing for a boom in visitor numbers. Some cities and states are more popular than others, but rural communities have also been vying for spots in the top ten. Perth’s Western Australian Maritime Museum and Albany’s National Anzac Centre both made the list, along with Melbourne’s National Gallery of Victoria and Darwin’s Australian Museum of Natural History.
The most visited museums in Australia are a reflection of the country’s passion for art and science. Whether it’s taking in a stunning painting or getting up close and personal with some prehistoric creatures, there is something for everyone at Australia’s most visited museums. So, get out there and start exploring! Visiting Australia’s most visited museums is a great way to learn more about the country and its rich history. The experience will surely leave you with a better understanding of this beautiful nation.