Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum
5 minutes read•Published on 16-11-2024
The Australian National Maritime Museum is located in the city of Sydney, Australia. It is known for having a wide collection of items related to the sea. These exhibits offer visitors a detailed look into the maritime history of Australia. The museum uses displays of boats, personal accounts, and a range of ocean-related exhibits to tell the story of Australia's strong connection to the water. It is a place where students can learn and tourists can gain deeper understanding of maritime history.
Tickets & tours
A selection of the best tours to experience the Australian National Maritime Museum with our partner GetYourGuide. These tours offer the best experience for visitors from all around the world.
A short history
The Australian National Maritime Museum came to life in Sydney in 1991. It was built by the Australian government as a place to share and learn about the country's maritime history. The museum is located in Darling Harbour, a vibrant part of Sydney, and it quickly became popular with tourists. Since it opened, many people have visited the museum to enjoy its exhibitions and engaging displays.
The museum offers a deep look into Australia's maritime past. It presents information about how Australia was discovered, how the First Fleet arrived, and the naval battles that Australia has had. It doesn't just focus on big events, though. The museum also saves space to teach visitors about indigenous culture, European explorers, and the science related to maritime activities. It offers a very complete picture of Australia's naval history, including both key events and real-life stories from people who lived it.
But the museum isn't just a place to see indoor exhibits. It also provides the opportunity to see a variety of historic ships up close. People can tour the HMAS Vampire, which is the largest museum vessel in Australia, and the HMAS Onslow, a submarine. There's even a chance to have a look around a model of Captain Cook's Endeavour to really understand what life was like on an 18th century ship.
The Australian National Maritime Museum has also made education and research a big part of what they do. The museum has a big library for research and it regularly arranges educational activities for students of different ages. Along with all the regular exhibits, it hosts public events, workshops and talks about Australia's maritime history. The museum plays an important role in preserving history and promoting education.
One reason to visit
James Craig
James Craig is a large ship from the 1800s that you can visit at the Australian National Maritime Museum. This ship lets you see what it was like to be a sailor a long time ago. It has been restored and kept in good condition, just like it was when it was first built. When you visit James Craig, you can touch and see what it was like for the people who worked on ships during this time. Its an important part of Australias seagoing history. By visiting the museum and exploring the James Craig, you can learn about the old days of seafaring, and find out about the challenges sailors faced on their journeys.
Getting there
If you are near Sydney CBD, walking to the Australian National Maritime Museum is quite straightforward. Start on George Street, walking south until you reach King Street. Make a left and continue until you hit Sussex Street, then turn right. Walk down Sussex Street until you see Liverpool Street, then make a left. Continue along Liverpool Street until you reach Day Street, and turn right. Walk all the way down Day Street, cross over Bathrust Street. You should now be on Darling Drive. Continue walking along Darling Drive until you see the Australian National Maritime Museum on your left. The walk should take around 40 minutes.
Sure. If you are planning to go to the Australian National Maritime Museum by bike, start your journey by cycling towards the Harbour Bridge from the city centre. Take the dedicated bike lane over the bridge. Once you reach the northern end of the bridge, take the stairs to the right to rejoin on Kirribilli. From there, follow the signs to Milsons Point and cross the Luna Park car park to reach Broughton Street. Then, take the first right onto Alfred Street South and continue straight until you reach Burlington Street. Afterwards, turn right onto High Street and continue straight to Clark Road. From there, follow the signs to Darling Harbour until you arrive at the intersection with Murray Street. The Australian National Maritime Museum is located at the end of this street.
To get to the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney by public transport, you can take a train on the T2 or T3 line till Central Station, then switch to a light railway line L1 towards Dulwich Hill and get off at Pyrmont Bay. You can also utilize the route 389 bus that runs from Bondi Junction to Pyrmont and alight at Pirrama Road. Furthermore, there are numerous ferries, including F4, that stop at Pyrmont Bay from Circular Quay. The museum is just a few minutes walk from these stops. Note that, if you are using public transport, it is advisable to use an Opal card for ease of payment.
To reach the Australian National Maritime Museum in Sydney by car, you'll need to start from the Central Business District (CBD). Head west on George St towards Kent St, and continue onto Bradfield Hwy (use the left two lanes to take the exit A4) then take the exit towards Cahill Expy from Bradfield Hwy. After getting off the exit, keep following the signs to Cahill Expy which merges onto Hickson Rd. Keep right to continue on Hickson Rd in The Rocks. This road changes its name to Pier St and Darling Dr and will lead you straight to the Australian National Maritime Museum. Be sure to keep an eye open for parking spaces around the area as it could be quite busy during peak hours.