Australian Museum
Museum Australia's oldest museum, natural history and anthropology.
In central Sydney, the Australian Museum houses natural history and anthropological collections, with exhibits on dinosaurs, Indigenous Australian cultures and regional biodiversity; families and school groups are frequent visitors.
The Australian Museum in Sydney is the country’s oldest museum, founded in 1827, and is located on College Street beside Hyde Park in the central business district. It specialises in natural history, geology and anthropology collections.
The museum’s displays cover paleontology, zoology, earth science and cultural collections, including significant material relating to Indigenous Australian and Pacific cultures. It operates permanent galleries and rotating temporary exhibitions that present research collections to the public.
Over its history the institution has expanded its collections and exhibition spaces and now combines research, public galleries and education programmes. The museum also runs outreach and scientific research activities linked to its collections.
Situated in Sydney’s CBD beside Hyde Park, the museum is easily reached from central transport hubs and is a short walk from Museum train station and several bus routes.
- Location: Located adjacent to Hyde Park on College Street in Sydney's CBD, the museum is a short walk from Museum railway station and other central transport links.
- History: Founded in 1827, it is one of Australia's oldest museums and specialises in natural history and anthropology collections.
What to See #
- Natural history galleries: Permanent natural history galleries that cover topics from paleontology and vertebrate zoology to earth sciences, with specimens and interpretive displays.
- Cultural and temporary exhibition galleries: Galleries and displays covering Indigenous Australian and Pacific cultures, alongside rotating temporary exhibition spaces for changing displays and research-led shows.
How to Get to Australian Museum #
The Australian Museum sits in central Sydney opposite Hyde Park on College/William Street. Take Sydney Trains to Museum Station (City Circle network) and it’s a very short walk (a few minutes) from the station concourse; many city buses run along William and College Streets and drop nearby. If driving, the museum is in the CBD with limited street parking and nearby paid parking garages; it’s within easy walking distance of Town Hall and St James.
Tips for Visiting Australian Museum #
- Use Museum Station (Sydney Trains) and the College Street exit for the shortest walk to the main entrance and to avoid crossing busy roads.
- If you want to see special exhibitions, check the museum's website and book timed-entry tickets in advance-major exhibits can sell out on weekends.
- To avoid school group crowds and get quieter galleries, visit on weekday mornings or late afternoons; weekends and school holidays are noticeably busier.
Best Time to Visit Australian Museum #
Visit on weekday mornings during school terms to avoid crowds; the museum is open year-round but is busiest during school holidays and weekends.
Weather & Climate near Australian Museum #
Australian Museum's climate is classified as Humid Subtropical - Humid Subtropical climate with warm summers (peaking in February) and cool winters (coldest in July). Temperatures range from 8°C to 26°C. Abundant rainfall (1261 mm/year), wettest in March.
January
January is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 18°C. Significant rainfall (135 mm).
Comfort
Weather
February
February is the warmest month with highs of 26°C and lows of 19°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm).
Comfort
Weather
March
March is mild with highs of 25°C and lows of 17°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (153 mm).
Comfort
Weather
April
April is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 14°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm).
Comfort
Weather
May
May is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 12°C. Significant rainfall (106 mm).
Comfort
Weather
June
June is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (118 mm).
Comfort
Weather
July
July is the coolest month with highs of 17°C and lows of 8°C. Moderate rainfall (71 mm).
Comfort
Weather
August
August is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 8°C. Regular rainfall (85 mm).
Comfort
Weather
September
September is cool with highs of 20°C and lows of 11°C. Moderate rainfall (73 mm).
Comfort
Weather
October
October is cool with highs of 22°C and lows of 13°C. Regular rainfall (84 mm).
Comfort
Weather
November
November is mild with highs of 23°C and lows of 15°C. Regular rainfall (95 mm).
Comfort
Weather
December
December is mild with highs of 26°C and lows of 17°C. Regular rainfall (81 mm).