Movatterモバイル変換

Natural Sciences
Cultural collections
Museum Archives

Australian Museum Collections

The Australian Museum has spent more than 190 years building a vast collection of over 21.9 million objects and specimens alongside an enviable reputation for world-leading science.

Collections
Knowledge
Exhibitions

First Nations cultures and history

Learn more about this land’s First Nations peoples and cultures.

What are we doing?
What is climate change?

Climate change

The Australian Museum has been involved in raising awareness and researching impacts of climate change for over a decade.

Learning resources
Teacher support
Educator-led programs

For teachers and students

Our education programs and resources spark curiosity, develop scientific understanding and enhance cultural awareness in students of all ages.

What are we doing?
Achieving climate neutral

Sustainability

As a leading natural history and cultural institution, the Australian Museum (AM) has a responsibility to educate, inspire and act on environmental sustainability.

Getting here
Exhibitions and events
Food and venues

Visit & Book

Experience science, culture and nature in the heart of Sydney at the Australian Museum. Visit today with free general entry!

Plan your visit

Learn about our collections

Life & Geo Sciences Collections

Discover the Australian Museum's extensive Life and Geo Sciences collections and research areas, including the name-bearing type specimens held at the museum.

Why we collect
Research areas

First Nations
Pasifika
World Cultures

Cultural collections

Learn about the Australian Museum's cultural collections and our engagement with communities to activate stories of living culture.

Preventive conservation
Treatment programs

Collection Care and Conservation

The CC&C team specialise in the preservation of natural science specimens, archaeological and cultural objects, rare books and archives, and life and geoscience collections.

Lord Howe Island
Solomon Islands
Historic expeditions

Expeditions and fieldwork

Learn about past Australian Museum expeditions and field work from around the globe that have contributed to our collections and research.

Scientific journals
Staff publications
Museum publications

Journals & Publications

Since 1827, studies on Australian Museum collections, or studies that more generally lead to a better understanding of the unique natural and cultural history of Australia and the Pacific, have been published by the Museum.

Object and species identification

Curious about objects or specimens you've discovered? Identify Australasian animal life, geology and cultural objects through our Ask an Expert enquiry form, common enquiries webpages or discover species with our interactive Identification Key.

Identify an animal
Fossils and minerals
Common enquiries

Ask an Expert

Explore our factsheets

Animal factsheets

Discover the astonishing variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, marine life and more in the Australian Museum collections.

Invertebrates
Vertebrates
Extinct animals

The Mesozoic era
Dinosaur factsheets
Australian dinosaurs

Dinosaurs and their relatives

Discover the Mesozoic era of the dinosaurs! Dinosaurs are classified as a group of reptiles, although some of their features are found in mammals and birds living today.

Stages of Decomposition
The Human story
Virtual Autopsy

Science of life

Learn about biodiversity, the scientific study of life and organisms, and the story of human evolution.

Shaping the Earth
Minerals
Fossils

Earth science

The Mineralogy and Palaeontology collections include rocks, minerals, gemstones and fossils, and reveal how the earth was formed.

Megafauna
Fossil sites in Australia
Geological time scale

School girl looking at megafauna display

Australia over time

Learn about our evolving landscape, Australian megafauna and other extinct animals and how we use fossils to relate the animals of the past with those of today.

Expedition videos
Online exhibitions
Podcasts

Shaping the Earth

What makes the Earth unique? Where does it fit in the Solar System and, ultimately, the universe? Take a look inside the Earth and find out what it is made from and how it is structured. Look at the processes that shape the Earth.

AM Inside Out

Deep dive into fascinating stories and learning materials for inquisitive minds, everywhere.

Curated for the curious

Be inspired by our expeditions and the Australian Museum’s long history of research and discovery over the decades.

Curated for the curious
Activities for kids at home

AM Inside Out

Deep dive into fascinating stories and learning materials for inquisitive minds, everywhere.

Creative activities
Free mobile Apps

Activities for kids at home

Discover our fun and informative online resources for teaching curious kids about science, nature and culture.

What are we doing?
What is climate change?

Ask an expert

Find answers to your questions. Is that a rock or fossil you found in your garden? Is the spider living in your kitchen dangerous? Our friendly expert staff are on hand to help answer your questions!

Search and discover

You may also be interested in...

Climate change

The Australian Museum has been involved in raising awareness and researching impacts of climate change for over a decade.

Read our story
Staff book list

Museum staff reading lists

Find out our staff recommendations to read in isolation, and learn the story of the Australian Museum.

Collections
Knowledge
Exhibitions

First Nations cultures and history

Learn more about this land’s First Nations peoples and cultures.

Trailblazers and allies of the Australian Pride movement

Find the trailblazing Australian LGBTQIA+ icons and allies, honored within the Museum's200 Treasures exhibition.

First Nations agency
Consultation and collaboration

Reconciliation

The Australian Museum is committed to genuine collaboration to amplify First Nations voices and build a more reconciled Australia for everyone.

Digital and print editions

Explore magazine

The Australian Museum's biannual Members' magazine 'Explore' continues a 100-year tradition of publishing behind-the-scenes news and features an Explore podcast series.

Read now

Visitors at Crystal Hall admissions desk

Customer feedback

We would love to hear about your experience and how the Australian Museum can do better in the future.

Three sista girls ready to party at the 2013 Mardi Gras in Sydney, New South Wales. Barbara McGrady Photo acquisition

First Nations Pride and a retrospective on LGBTQIA+ celebration at the Australian Museum

Learn more about Aunty Barbara McGrady's photography of First Nations Sistagirls at Sydney Mardi Gras, relive the iconic 1994 exhibition 'Prejudice & Pride' and meet Progress Shark.

Mission & Vision
Governance
Polices & Reports

Our Organisation

We commit to transform the conversation around climate change, the environment and wildlife conservation, to prioritise First Nations cultures, and to continue to develop world leading science, collections, exhibitions, and education programs. Learn more about Australia’s first museum.

Australian Museum Collections

The Australian Museum has spent more than 190 years building a vast collection of over 21.9 million objects and specimens alongside an enviable reputation for world-leading science.

Natural Sciences
Cultural collections
Museum Archives

Diversity and behaviour in the animal kingdom

Step into the wild and discover the astonishing diverse behaviours that exist within the animal kingdom. Explore the fascinating and sometimes surprising ways that different species express themselves and interact with each other.

Tommy Misa (he/they) is a Samoan (Toamua) Australian Fa'afafine artist, living on Gadigal Country

Pasifika Pride: A Talanoa with Tommy Misa

What does it mean to be Pasifika and Queer in contemporary Australia? Samoan-Australian Fa'afafine Artist, Tommy Misa, shares their unique view of the world: Who we were, who we are and where we’re going.