With social distancing now a thing across the world, and most Government travel advice to pause international travel for the moment, visiting museums and art galleries is tricky. But did you know that there are a plethora of places and spaces that offer virtual tours? Yes, 14 Australian Museums to Visit From Your Living Room!
To help curb your wanderlust during this tricky time, we have gathered together 14 Australian Museums that you can visit from your living room. Yes, across Australia there are a number of museums and sites that you can explore even when their real time doors are closed.
Stuck at home and unsure what to do? We’ve got a few ideas up our sleeves!
14 Australian Museums to Visit from your Living Room
Table of Contents
Australian National Maritime Museum
The Australian National Maritime Museum can be found in the Darling Harbour precinct of Sydney and is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology.
Opened back in 1991, the Australian National Maritime Museum has developed one of the largest floating historical vessel collections in the world and is the space in Australia to explore Australia’s close links to the sea covering Indigenous Australian’s deep connection to ocean, early exploration, immigration, commerce, defence, adventure, sport, play and identity. You can read about our visit to the Australian National Maritime Museum here
Virtual Tours
Visit Australian National Maritime Museum | Visit Vampire 1 | Visit Vampire 2 | Visit Vampire 3 | Visit Small Boat | Visit Endeavour 1 | Visit Endeavour 2 | Visit Submarine
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: 2 Murray St, Sydney (In the Darling Harbour Precinct
Hours: 9:30am–5pm (6pm in January) every day of the year except Christmas Day | Last boarding time for Vessels is 4:10pm.
Website: https://www.sea.museum/
Australian National Surfing Museum
Image via Australian National Surfing Museum Facebook page
Head to Torquay, the surfing capital of Australia, and you will find the Australian National Surfing Museum. This museum celebrates surfing whilst exploring Australia’s significant contribution to the development of surfing around the world.
Virtual Tours
Visit the Australian National Surfing Museum
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: 3228/77 Beach Rd, Torquay VIC
Hours: 9am – 5pm 7 days a week 364 days a year
Website: https://australiannationalsurfingmuseum.com.au/
Australian War Memorial
The Australian War Memorial in Canberra is Australia’s national memorial that commemorates the sacrifice of those in the Armed Forces that have died in war or on operational services, and those who have served our nation in times of conflict. It is a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive.
We found a visit with our kids quite confronting. You can click to read about our visit to the Australian War Memorial to understand why we encourage families to plan their visit.
Virtual Tours
Visit the Australian War Memorial | Hall of Memory | Visit G for George, Avro Lancaster Bomber | Centurion Tank | Japanese Midget Submarine | Bridge of HMAS Brisbane
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: Treloar Cres, Campbell ACT
Hours: 10am – 5pm daily | Closed Christmas day |Free entry
Website: https://www.awm.gov.au/
Check out our top 20 things to do in Canberra for your upcoming visit
South Australian Maritime Museum
Image via South Australian Maritime Museum Facebook Page
Opening in 1986, the South Australian Maritime Museum is located in the historic Port Adelaide precinct, where it preserves, explores and celebrates the human history of our oceans and rivers. The Museum incorporates the historic Bond Store with three floors of exhibitions, the Port Adelaide Lighthouse from South Neptune Island, and the much-loved steam tug, Yelta.
Virtual Tours
South Australian Maritime Museum
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: 126 Lipson St, Port Adelaide SA
Hours: 10am – 5pm everyday | Closed Good Friday & Christmas Day
Website: https://maritime.history.sa.gov.au/
Art Gallery of South Australia
Image via AGSA Media Gallery
Opened in 1900, the Art Gallery of South Australia boasts 47,000 works of art from Australia, Europe, North America and Asia.
Virtual Tours
Art Gallery of South Australia
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA
Hours: Open Daily | 10am–5pm | Closed 25 December
Website: https://www.agsa.sa.gov.au/
National Sports Museum
Image via National Sports Museum Facebook Page
The National Sports Museum boasts Australia’s largest collection of sporting memorabilia. It is a museum that the kids will love with many exhibits featuring climbable walls, sports challenges, and interactive spaces. A highlight amongst these are life-size 3D holograms of dual AFL Premiership and Richmond Star Bachar Houli and Carlton AFLW Star Tayla Harris.
Virtual Tours
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: Melbourne Cricket Ground, Brunton Ave, Melbourne VIC 3000
Hours: Guided MCG tours depart regularly between 10.00am and 3.00pm daily, and take approximately 75 minutes (except on MCG event days – see modified hours below). | MCG tours are not available on Christmas Day, Melbourne Cup Day and Good Friday.
Website: www.mcg.org.au
National Motor Museum
The National Motor Museum in Bathurst is the pace to head for the mad car enthusiast who is keen to explore Australia’s car history and take a drive on the most famous track of all, Mount Panorama.
The National Motor Racing Museum celebrates the history, personalities and achievements of Australian Motor Sports. While Mount Panorama and the Bathurst 1000 is at the heart of its displays, the museum looks across the spectrum of Australian Motor Racing. The history of speedway, solar, drag, rallying, open wheeler, sports car as well as touring cars is told.
Our visit to the National Motor Museum in Bathurst.
Virtual Tours
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: 400 Panorama Ave, Bathurst NSW
Hours: 9.00 am – 4.30 pm during the week – closed Tuesday | The Museum is open 7 days per week during NSW school holidays | The Museum is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. | During major Mount Panorama race events, due to road closures, the National Motor Racing Museum is accessible to event ticket holders only.
Website: https://museumsbathurst.com.au/
Geoscience Australia
Image via Geoscience Australia Facebook page, via Grayson Cooke, Southern Cross University
The Geoscience Australia complex is a purpose built geoscientific facility in Symonston, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Designed for a self guided experience, Geoscience Australia is a place to head to browse one of the most comprehensive collections of geoscientific information resources in the Southern Hemisphere, see the superb collection of world-class minerals (800 specimens in the cabinets), rocks, fossils, geoscience maps and historical equipment, and take a Geological TimeWalk where you will find a physical representation of geological time using large rock samples in the landscaped gardens at the front of the Geoscience Australia building.
Virtual Tours
Geoscience Australia | Geological Timewalk
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: Cnr Jerrabomberra Ave and Hindmarsh Drive, Symonston ACT
Hours: open Monday to Friday 9am-5pm with the exception of public holidays and are designed for a self-guided experience.
Website: https://www.ga.gov.au/
National Museum of Australia
Image via National Museum of Australia Facebook Page
The National Museum of Australia brings to life the rich and diverse stories of Australia through compelling objects, ideas and events. The museum focuses on Indigenous histories and cultures, European settlement and our interaction with the environment.
Virtual Tours
National Museum of Australia | Exterior front | Exterior back
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: Lawson Cres, Acton ACT
Hours: Daily 9am–5pm, closed Christmas Day
Website: https://www.nma.gov.au/
ACMI
Image via ACMI Facebook Page
Currently closed for redevelopment, the idea of virtually visiting the ACMI from home is the ONLY way of exploring this space at this time.
Virtual Tours
Temporary Touring Gallery Visit | Ground floor | Level One | Level Two
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: Federation Square, Flinders St, Melbourne VIC
Hours: currently closed for redevelopment
Website: https://www.acmi.net.au/
Public Records Office Victoria
Image via Public Records Office Victoria Facebook Page
The idea of visiting and pouring over the extraordinary array of records created by the Victorian Government from the mid-1830s to now held at the Public Record Office Victoria really appeals to me, but I think I should start with a virtual visit initially to orientate myself with the space. This impressive archive includes records of immigration and shipping, criminal trials and prisons, premiers and governors, royal commissions, boards of inquiry, wills, and probates and much more.
Virtual Tours
Public Records Office Victoria
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: 112 Macaulay Road (Enter via car park) (Street entrance), 99 Shiel St, North Melbourne VIC 3051
Hours: Monday to Friday 10am to 4:30pm (excluding public holidays) and the second and last Saturday of every month except April 2020 when the open Saturday will be April 18th |
UPCOMING CLOSURE: Monday 9 March Labour Day Public Holiday.
Website: https://prov.vic.gov.au/
South Australian Museum
Image via South Australian Museum Facebook Page
Funded in 1856, the South Australian Museum is a natural history museum and research institution that features collections of national and international significance. The museum is recognised as a leader in remote and regional community engagement, and in Australian Aboriginal heritage and scientific research.
Virtual Tours
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: North Terrace, Adelaide SA
Hours: Open daily 10am to 5pm | Anzac Day 12pm to 5pm | Closed: Good Friday and Christmas Day
Website: https://www.samuseum.sa.gov.au/
State Library of South Australia
Image via State Library of South Australia Facebook Page
As the largest public reference library in South Australia you are certain to have high expectations about this library when visiting, realising quickly as it is magnificent. In 1884, the incredible Mortlock Wing was built which is the place to head with kids. Make sure you grab a Children’s Library Trail Map and Mortlock Treasures Bookmark on your visit
Virtual Tours
State Library of South Australia
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: North Terrace &, Kintore Ave, Adelaide SA
Hours: Monday to Wednesday: 10am to 7.45pm | Thursday and Friday: 10am to 5.45pm | Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 4.45pm
Website: https://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/home
Australian Museum
Image via Australian Museum Facebook Page
The Australian Museum is currently closed to visitors making a virtual visit perhaps the only way to get inside right now! The Australian Museum is Australia’s first museum and boasts over 21 million scientific specimens and cultural objects in its collections.
Virtual Tours
Details for Visiting in Person
Address: 1 William St, Sydney NSW
Hours: Currently closed for redevelopment
Website: https://australianmuseum.net.au/
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