Australian Museums, Historical and Heritage Societies

Jump to Listings
dance Listed Below are the best Museums, Historical and Heritage Societies to visit in Australia. Australia has a large number of museums and historical societies that offer public access to their extensive collections. The Australian Museum in Sydney is the oldest with world renowned reputation in the fields of anthropology and natural history . It features collections of invertebrate and vertebrate as well as anthropology, geology and palaeontology. As well as the fine exhibitions, the museum staff also undertakes research and community programs. National Museum of Australia was opened on March 11 2001, in Canberra. The National Museum of Australia has the largest and finest collection of Aboriginal bark paintings in the world, and extensive collections of indigenous objects and stone tools. There are museums throughout Australia that are well worth a visit.

Listed below are the best Australian Museums, Historical and Heritage Societies listed by location and type. Scroll through the list and click the operator`s link to get more information.


NSW>Northern Rivers>Ballina

Ballina Naval And Maritime Museum

Dedicated to the preservation of the history of the Royal Australian Navy and the Maritime History of the North Coast of New South Wales, Australia. This museum is home to the LA BALSAS raft. On May 27, 1973 three balsa rafts left Ecuador and arrived at Ballina on 21st November 1973. The aim was to prove that ancient civilisations from South America could have traversed the Pacific.

QLD>Townsville>Townsville

Maritime Museum of Townsville

The Maritime Museum of Townsville is best known for its display about the doomed ship SS Yongala, sunk south of Townsville in 1911 with the loss of all 122 on board. Other fascinating exhibits include: The Women`s War Two display, which illustrates the lives of women living and working in Townsville during the 2nd World War; information about the Royal Australian Navy, the history of Townsville, and the hard hat pearl diving industry. Tel: +61 (0) 7 4721 5251

SA>Kangaroo Island>Kingscote

Hope Cottage Museum

Hope Cottage Museum offers a fascinating insight into the unique history of Kangaroo Island. Hope Cottage, originally one of three built in 1859 (Faith, Hope and Charity) represents life from the 1860`s onwards. Period china, furniture, clothing and artefacts are on display, along with the first piano brought to the Island, and a cellar containing kitchen items that were used for butter making, old mincers, and bottles etc. Tel: +61 (0) 8 8553 3141

SA>Kangaroo Island>Penneshaw

Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum

The Penneshaw Maritime and Folk Museum is a National Trust Museum situated in Penneshaw on the Dudley Peninsula at the eastern end of Kangaroo Island. It has displays, information and artefacts on the maritime and folk history of the Dudley Peninsula. Discover the history and shipwrecks of Kangaroo Islandin the Maritime Room, the early settlers` activities in the McKenzie Room and education aspects in the Schoolroom. Tel: +61 (0) 8 8553 1109

NSW>Illawarra>Coniston

Futureworld Eco Technology Centre

Futureworld is a unique eco-technology exhibition centre. Discover exciting greenhouse friendly `world firsts` eg the Greenhouse Gasometer Bike, Solar Sailor, Wave Power to Energy, the Mini Eco-House and more! Explore solar and wind energy, rainwater harvesting, green building, and transport. Everyone with a curious mind welcome. Open - 10.00am - 4.00pm Monday to Thursday. Groups by appointment.

NSW>Illawarra>Fairy Meadow

Science Centre and Planetarium

Welcome to the Wollongong Science Centre and Planetarium. The Centre is not just an educational facility, it is a hands-on science centre that stimulates, educates and entertains with over 120 interactive exhibits. Included in the centre is a state of the art Planetarium and Observatory. Entertaining Science Shows explore the more interactive fields of science, whether it be blowing gigantic bubbles, freezing objects or just blowing up stuff.

NSW>Shoalhaven>Nowra

Fleet Air Arm Museum

The Royal Australian Navy invites you, your family and friends to visit the Fleet Air Arm Museum at HMAS ALBATROSS Nowra. Explore and experience the story of naval aviation in Australia from its first beginnings to the present day. The Aviation Collection exhibited is of world standard. Over 30 fixed and rotary wing aircraft, some now very rare, are displayed alongside a wide range of Navy related artifacts.

NSW>Sapphire Coast Region>Eden

Eden Killer Whale Museum

The Eden Killer Whale Museum has been in operation for some 72 years. It is a publicly owned facility. Exhibitions about the shore-based whaling operations from Twofold Bay during the 1800s and early 1900s include a full skeleton of `Tom` the Killer Whale, legendary Orca. He led a pack of killer whales in the hunt for baleen whales on their southward migration each year along the far south coast.

NSW>Central West>Bathurst

Turon Technology Museum

Our exhibits show the development of steam and the transition to the internal combustion engine, also the lateral thinking which developed the turbine - the steam engine of the 20th century. The exhibits are set out in seven buildings: see c1845 horizontal steam engine and an 1866 Marshall portable engine, through to vertical and horizontal engines of the early 1900s. Then to kerosene diesel (1904) and to the internal combustion engines.

NSW>Central West>Bathurst

National Motor Racing Museum

The National Motor Racing Museum is situated at the end of Conrod Straight on the famous Mt Panorama racing circuit. See the great selection of race winning cars and motor bikes from years gone by and superb display of photographs and paintings, trophies, helmets and memoribillia of the great race and other exciting events which have taken place on `The Mount`.

NSW>Central West>Bathurst

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

The Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is the home of the internationally renowned Somerville Collection. It is housed in the 1876 Public School building which underwent major refurbishment before being fitted out with stunningly beautiful exhibitions. Close to 2000 fossil and mineral specimens are displayed in two main exhibitions - the Master Foods Fossil Gallery and the Minerals Gallery.

NSW>Central West>Dubbo

Old Dubbo Gaol

The Old Dubbo Gaol is one of Dubbo`s premier tourist attractions. More than 2 million visitors to the Gaol since its opening as a tourist attraction in 1974 attest to the gaol`s popularity and in particular to the history of Dubbo. The gaol represents a piece of colonial New South Wales, that also holds many original artefacts that give an in sight into the harshness of life and penal practices spacing over 100 years from 1871.

NSW>Central West>Narromine

Narromine Aviation Museum

The Narromine Aviation Museum houses an exhibition of artefacts, documents and photographs which tell the story of aviation as it evolved at Narromine. The museum is situated on one of Australia`s most historic aerodromes. Visitors can stroll around the wartime parade ground and precinct, and see two original aircraft hangars. Tours are available to view Australia`s only flying replica of a Wright Flyer Model A, and several historic aircraft.

NSW>Southern Tablelands>Yass

Cooma Cottage

Pioneering pastoralist Cornelius O`Brien built this single storied colonial cottage in 1835, and between 1839 and 1873 it was home to Australia`s great overland explorer Hamilton Hume. A creative owner-builder, Hume added his version of Palladian style wings and a Greek Revival portico. The National Trust of Australia (NSW) acquired this property in 1970 and has since carried out an extensive conservation program of restoration and it is open for visitors.

NSW>Riverina>Junee

Junee Roundhouse Museum

This is one of few working Railway Roundhouses in the Southern Hemisphere. When built in 1942, it boasted the largest turntable at 100 foot, it was later exceeded by Broadmeadow, Thirlmere and Werris Creek with 105 foot turntables. Since 1994, the Roundhouse has seen a new lease of life. Half is now used for the museum, whilst the other portion is used for its original purpose of re-conditioning and rebuilding locomotives and rolling stock.

NSW>Murray>Holbrook

Holbrook Woolpack Inn Museum

The Woolpack Inn Museum (an old two storey hotel) comprises 22 rooms displaying a wonderful collection of items from the 19th Century. There are two acres of gardens with wagons, coaches, a schoolhouse and even a blacksmiths shop to take you back in time. This museum has a large, unique and varied collection. The 22 rooms rooms depict life in the 19th century include bedrooms, dining room, sitting room, kitchen, pantry and laundry.

NSW>Murray>Holbrook

National Museum of Australian Pottery

This is the only Museum dedicated to 19th and early 20th century Australian pottery and is the culmination of many years of collecting and research throughout Australia. On display are over 1,200 pieces of domestic pottery from over 120 Australian pottery companies established between European settlement and the end of World War I, (1918). Included are a wide range of pottery wares.

NSW>Hunter Valley>Kurri Kurri

Richmond Vale Railway Museum

The Richmond Vale Railway Museum is a volunteer non-profit organisation, formed in 1979 with the aim of preserving the Railway and Mining Heritage of J and A Brown and the Hunter Valley. The museum is located in the old Richmond Main Colliery site, Main Road 135, Leggetts Drive, Richmond Vale.The museum runs trains on the first three Sundays of each month from 10.00am. Steam is the main power but can be substituted with diesels.

NSW>New England and NW>Glen Innes

Land Of The Beardies History House Museum

The Land of the Beardies History House Museum is a folk museum; the collection comes almost exclusively from the town and district, and mirrors the history and development of families, businesses, properties, public utilities, churches of the Glen Innes area. In the spacious grounds are numerous examples of early farm machinery horse drawn vehicles, an entirely original slab cottage, antique clothing, and early photographs of the district.

VIC>Melbourne>Spotswood

Scienceworks

With a stunning range of themed exhibitions and interactive scientific displays, Scienceworks is sure to fascinate you. Experience live demonstrations, informative tours and plenty of hands-on activities - all designed to unravel the mysteries of science. Incorporating the Melbourne Planetarium, the historic Spotswood Pumping Station, the electrifying Lightning Room in the Victoria University High Voltage Theatre and a number of themed exhibitions.

VIC>Melbourne>Mentone

The Australian National Aviation Museum

The Australian National Aviation Museum, is located at Moorabbin Airport near Melbourne Victoria and is recognised as Australia’s only true National Aviation Museum. The Australian National Aviation Museum contains the finest collection of Australian made and designed aircraft, as well as the broadest collection, with representative types covering the development of air travel and military aviation within Australia.

VIC>Melbourne>Point Cook

RAAF Museum

The RAAF Museum is home to Australia`s largest collection of memorabilia and aircraft relating to the rich history of the Australian Flying Corps and the Royal Australian Air Force. Browse through the Museum`s state of the art heritage gallery and see flying demonstrations hosted by our pilots. You can also go behind the scenes and see our restoration experts at work. Flying demonstrations operate regularly as part of the Interactive Flying Program

VIC>Melbourne>Carlton

Melbourne Museum

Museum Victoria cares for the state`s scientific and cultural collections, providing visitor access, activities and events at four distinct venues: Melbourne Museum, Immigration Museum, Scienceworks and the Royal Exhibition Building. The Museum`s priceless collections record Australia`s environmental and cultural history. They are an irreplaceable resource for understanding the past, reflecting on the present and looking into the future.

VIC>Melbourne>Melbourne

The Ian Potter Museum of Art

The Ian Potter Museum of Art promotes itself as offering visitors - art, events and ideas. It stages engaging exhibitions, exciting programs to complement its exhibitions and special events. The Potter manages the University of Melbourne`s Art Collection, the largest university collection in the country that includes historic and contemporary paintings, works on paper, decorative arts and sculpture. A large number of artworks are displayed.

VIC>Melbourne>Melbourne

Immigration Museum

Whether compelled by circumstance or lured by opportunity, huge numbers of people have arrived from all over the globe to resettle here. And their presence has shaped Victoria immeasurably. The Immigration Museum explores some of the stories behind these migration journeys, recounting experiences from the 1800s, right up to the present day. Using a variety of media and materials including personal belongings, visitors gain a unique insight into their lives.

VIC>Melbourne>Melbourne

Australian Centre for the Moving Image

ACMI celebrates what became the 20th centurys defining artform, showing us where the medium is today and what the future holds. The Memory Grid certainly merits closer inspection. This interactive exhibition space enables you to view the ACMI collection of short films by students and independent filmmakers. Some pieces have toured the festival circuit, others haven`t been screened outside the classroom but each represents a unique perspective on the world.

VIC>Melbourne>Wallington

National Wool Museum

The National Wool Museum is housed in a beautifully restored 1872 bluestone wool store and is set amongst the contemporary striking design of Waterfront Geelong. The Museum is Australia`s only comprehensive museum of wool, showcasing the Australian wool story - from the sheep`s back to the clothes rack, and from the birth of the industry in the 1840`s to its place in the world today.

VIC>Melbourne>Wallington

Geelong Heritage Centre

The Geelong Heritage Centre is Victoria`s largest regional archive and historical resource centre. The Centre`s role is to act as a place of deposit for local government and community records and to provide public access to the records for research, legal administrative recall, establishing citizen`s rights and entitlements, cultural enjoyment and display purposes. The collections embrace the entire history of Geelong from 1838.

VIC>Melbourne>Melbourne

National Wool Museum

The National Wool Museum showcases wool`s enduring impact on Australia`s social and economic life. The museum acquires, preserves and exhibits objects and materials which reflect significant developments in the Australian wool industry. Appropriately located in a century old (1872) refurbished bluestone wool store, the museum uses unique objects and innovative displays to tell the story of the Australian wool industry from early settlement to the present day.

VIC>Goldfields>Ballarat

Sovereign Hill

Australia`s foremost outdoor museum - Sovereign Hill recreates Ballarat`s first ten years after the discovery of gold in 1851 when thousands of international fortune-hunters rushed to the Australian goldfields. By day, Sovereign Hill is where Australia`s history comes to life! It`s just like stepping back in time - from the hustle and bustle of Main Street where costumed ladies and gents parade their new-found wealth, to the excitement of the Red Hill Gully Diggings where you can pan for

VIC>Goldfields>Ballarat

The Eureka Centre

The Eureka Centre, at the Eureka Stockade in Ballarat, stands at the site of one of the most significant events in Australia`s history - the Eureka Rebellion. Visitors will experience the tensions and the drama of the Eureka Rebellion as they move through a series of galleries that employ multi-media technology to vividly bring the Eureka Story to life. After reliving the battle, visitors will move to the Contemplation Space.

VIC>Goldfields>Bendigo

Golden Dragon Museum

The Golden Dragon Museum is a living history of the Chinese people of Bendigo from the goldrush of the 1850`s to the present day. Having become the hub of Chinese cultural activity in Australia‚ the museum allows visitors to experience first hand‚ Chinese arts and crafts with visiting artisans and tradespeople. Central to the permanent display is Sun Loong the longest imperial dragon in the world (over 100 m).

VIC>Goldfields>Maldon

Maldon Vintage Machinery Museum

This Vintage Machinery Museum, home of `Auntie Jack`, portable steam engine, is entered from Vincents Road. On display is an assortment of historic exhibits dating from the mid 1800`s - engines, agricultural vehicles, Maldon`s old printing press and much more. Run entirely by volunteers, this site aims to open each Saturday and each Public Holiday from 12 noon.

VIC>Daylesford Macedon>Puckapunyal

RAAC Memorial and Army Tank Museum

The museum now has more than 70 Armoured Fighting Vehicles on display in Hopkins Barracks. Covering an area of over 4000 square metres the museum is one of the largest armour museums in the Southern hemisphere. As a sub unit of the Army History Unit, our mission is to preserve, exhibit and interpret armoured vehicles, artefacts, icons and memorabilia in order to promote and commemorate Australia`s Light Horse and Armoured heritage.

VIC>Wine and High Country>Beechworth

Beechworth Chinese Cultural Centre Museum and Gardens

The building chosen to accommodate the centre is an original 1850s building, built to house the Chinese Protector, within the Beechworth Heritage and Cultural Precinct. The centre displays artefacts found on the site of the Chinese camps in Beechworth and other artefacts/items held by decedents of the Chinese miners who lived and worked on the Ovens and District goldfields. The centre will also hold exhibitions, and events, in recognition of the contributions of the Chinese to the Beechw

VIC>Wine and High Country>Benalla

Benalla Costume and Pioneer Museum

The Museum is the only public costume museum of its kind in Victoria. It is managed entirely by volunteer members of the Benalla and District Historical Society Inc. The Museum specialises in costume and local history, including much of the Ned Kelly story. The costume collection dates from 1770 to the present, and is shown in regularly changing exhibitions of dressed models, with appropriate accessories and decor to suit the theme of the exhibition.

VIC>Wine and High Country>Glenrowan

Ned Kelly`s World

Glenrowan was a quiet little hamlet until the events of June, 1880, blazed it`s name and that of Ned Kelly across world headlines. The Glenrowan siege was Australia`s first widely reported and photographed criminal drama. Telegraphy and outdoor photography were new, and news from Glenrowan via Benalla and Wangaratta telegraph operators, appeared in special newspaper editions almost as it happened. Today, Glenrowan is a thriving tourist town.