The Australian Museum has an international reputation in the fields of natural history and indigenous research, community programs and exhibitions. The Museum was established in 1827 and is Australia's first museum, with unique and extensive collections of natural science and cultural artefacts.
A Brief History
The Australian Museum is Australia's oldest museum: a museum of natural history and anthropology, its collections cover invertebrate and vertebrate zoology, mineralogy and palaeontology, and anthropology.
The Australian Museum was founded in 1827 when Earl Bathurst, Secretary of State for the Colonies, wrote, on 30 March, to Lieutenant-General Darling, Governor of New South Wales:
"It having been represented to me that it would be very desirable were the Government to afford its aid towards the formation of a Publick Museum at New South Wales where it is stated that many rare and curious specimens of Natural History are to be procured.. I am disposed.. to allow a sum, not exceeding 200 per annum... to be dispersed for the purpose of assisting in the accomplishment of this object"
A museum had earlier been planned in 1821 by the newly formed Philosophical Society of Australasia, and some specimens collected, but the Society folded in 1822. A new impetus came with the arrival, in 1826, of Alexander Macleay, entomologist and Fellow of the Linnean Society of London, appointed as NSW Colonial Secretary. Macleay, along with other prominent Sydney figures, lobbied for a museum.
A Brief History of the Collectors
From the beginning of European settlement, the curious specimens of the strange flora and fauna encountered were collected. The great interest by European naturalists in this 'land of contrarieties', together with the growing competitive imperial acquisitiveness of the great museums, saw large shipments of specimens of flora and fauna sent back to Europe, where descriptions and studies were published in the scientific literature. The small convict colony lacked naturalists to describe the new world encountered.
In 1827, when the idea for a museum was proposed, the impetus came from the desire to procure the 'many rare and curious specimens of Natural History' for naturalists in England. The early museum collections were acquired solely for display - for the edification and entertainment of the public. In 1832, Dr George Bennett, medical practitioner and naturalist, visited the Museum and described the infant institution in his 'Wanderings in New South Wales...'[1834]:
'the ornithological collection is by far the best, both for the number, and being beautifully stuffed and 'set up' in attitudes... There are also several of the mammalia, and reptiles of the colony in the collection.'
Times: Open 9.30am to 5.00pm every day except 25th December.
Child ages 5-15 years.
Travel Info
Public Transport
The Australian Museum is handy to two train stations, Museum Station and St James Station, and the main bus routes into the city. For George Street bus services, get off at Town Hall and walk up Park Street.
Parking
On Saturdays and Sundays, Cook & Philip Park across the road from the Museum. The charge is $8 flat fee for the day.
Meter parking is available on nearby streets.
Parking for Museum visitors
When coming to the Museum, you can park at Secure Parking Riley Street East Sydney (see map).
Monday to Friday if you arrive before 10am and leave between 3pm and 7pm the cost to park per day is $17.
Alternatively you can park for up to 3 hours for $10 or 4 hours for $14.
As Secure Parking is a privately owned organisation, you will need to collect a Universal Rebate Ticket from either the Museum's admissions or William St reception to take advantage of the special $10 and $14 rates.
Secure Parking
70 Riley Street
Eastern Sydney
Phone: 02 93614613
Hours
Monday 6:00am - 10:00pm
Tuesday 6:00am - 10:00pm
Wednesday 6:00am - 10:00pm
Thursday 6:00am - 11:00pm
Friday 6:00am - 11:00pm
Saturday 8:00am - 11:00pm
Sunday 8:00am - 10:00pm
Staffed Hours
Monday - Friday 3:30pm - 8:30pm
Monday - Friday Rates
0 - 1/2 Hour $7.00
1/2 - 1 Hour $12.00
1 - 2 Hours $22.00
2 - 3 Hours $32.00
3 Hours + $38.00
Weekend Rates
Flat Rate $12.00
Early Bird Rate
Monday - Friday $17.00
Enter between 6:00am-10:00am
Exit between 3:00pm-7:00pm
Evening Rates
Enter after 6:00pm
Exit before 6:00am
Monday - Friday Flat Rate $12.00
Height
Maximum Vehicle Height 2.1 M
Special Needs Info
Pick up and set down point for visitors with wheelchairs:
The Museum offers a set-down and pick-up point for visitors with wheelchairs. Please note due to limited space this car space MUST be booked in advance through the Control Room phone: (+612) 9320 6335 .
Important notice: the Museum's lower ground lift access for wheelchairs and large prams is intermittent during our current revitalisation building project. Please phone 02 9320 6000 during business hours to check lift accessibility from William Street to the exhibition spaces.
You can hire a wheelchair from the Museum.
The Museum owns two wheelchairs which can be borrowed from the Information Desk, Level G. There is no charge, but you will need to leave a form of identification (e.g. Drivers licence) to be returned to you on return of the wheelchair.
Accessibility
Entrances to the Museum (including Wheelchair and Pram entry)
The Museum is located next to Hyde Park, Sydney, Australia. There are two entrances:
General public, all school and booked groups - use the stairs at College St entrance doors. They lead you straight to the Admissions Desk.
Prams and Wheelchairs (and Business Visitors) - from the corner of College Street and William Street use the driveway and ramp access to William St Reception entrance.
A wheelchair accessible toilet is located on level 2 at the entrance to search & discover near the lifts.
Pick up and set down point for visitors with wheelchairs.
The Museum offers a set-down and pick-up point for visitors with wheelchairs. Please note due to limited space this car space MUST be booked in advance through the Control Room phone: (+612) 9320 6335 .
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