The Australian Museum Reopens

This weekend the public is welcomed back to The Australian Museum. The space has been closed for more than a year now while a transformative renovation took place. COX Architecture and Neeson Murcutt + Neille along with Kane Constructions collaborated on the aptly titled, ‘Project Discover’.

Wild Planet gallery in the historic Barnet Wing, photographed 23 November 2020

3,000sqm of exhibition room and public areas have been added to the institution, by reappraising the ‘backstage’ areas of the museum. As such we can look forward to major exhibitions and a greater range of shows, in the meantime gallery-goers will find a new Museum Shop, a second café, a new Members Lounge and new education rooms.

The Australian Museum’s Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO who championed the redevelopment project promises an expansive curatorial program which will include an interactive exhibition space, as well as new Mineral, Pacific and Egyptian galleries. The director also underscored that the site will host important research on climate change, First Nations knowledge and scientific leadership.

Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, in the Hintze Hall

Admission is free and there are two enticing, and different, experiences on offer; Tyrannosaurs – Meet the Family and Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year.

We hope you enjoy a visit to The Australian National Museum, as Minister for the Arts Don Harwin noted at the relaunch, “Our cultural institutions come alive only when we inhabit them.”