Australian Museum

Established in 1827, the Australian Museum holds the prestigious title of being the oldest museum in Australia and the fifth oldest natural history museum in the world. Originally founded as the 'Colonial Museum' just four decades after European settlement, it was intended to showcase the unique and often bizarre flora and fauna of the newly colonized continent to a global audience. The institution moved through several temporary locations, including the Legislative Council, before finding its permanent home in its current grand sandstone building in 1849.

The museum's architecture is a masterpiece of the Victorian era, primarily designed by James Barnet with later significant additions. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the museum became a hub for scientific excellence, amassing a massive collection of over 21 million scientific specimens and cultural objects. It played a pivotal role in documenting the biodiversity of the Pacific region and served as a primary repository for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural heritage, though its relationship with Indigenous communities has evolved significantly over time toward a model of collaborative storytelling and repatriation.

In recent years, the Australian Museum underwent a transformative $57.5 million renovation known as 'Project Discover.' This project significantly expanded the public floor space, created a grand new entrance, and modernized the galleries while carefully preserving the heritage-listed sandstone facade. Today, it stands not just as a cabinet of curiosities, but as a leading research institution dedicated to climate change education, wildlife conservation, and celebrating the continuous living culture of Australia's First Nations people.