Media releases

Museum marks 75th anniversary of the Battle of the Coral Sea with special ceremony and film

May 08, 2017

Seventy five years after 1622 men lost their lives in the World War II Battle of the Coral Sea the Australian National Maritime Museum will remember this tragedy in a special memorial service on Saturday 6 May at 11.30am.

Museum welcomes first European artefact to appear on Australian soil - the Dirk Hartog Plate

May 08, 2017

Just over four hundred years ago Dutch mariner Dirk Hartog (1580–1621) sailed into history when, on 25 October 1616, he made the first documented European landing on the west coast of Australia. And this week the Australian National Maritime Museum is excited to welcome the first European artefact to appear on Australian soil, the Dirk Hartog Plate, to Sydney on special loan from the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam.

Stunning images unveiled as 52nd Wildlife Photographer of the Year arrives in Sydney

May 08, 2017

The world-renowned exhibition, on loan from the National History Museum in London, will open at the Australian National Maritime on 31 May, featuring 100 awe-inspiring images, from fascinating animal behaviour to breath-taking wild landscapes.

Ancient Roman artefacts arrive in Sydney

March 20, 2017

New international exhibition opens 31 March 2017

The Australian National Maritime Museum is excited to be unpacking and installing a fascinating selection of objects dating back thousands of years for its new international exhibition Escape from Pompeii opening on 31 March.

Go on an adventure to Pompeii this autumn

March 02, 2017

This autumn families are invited to tie up their togas and spend the day having a Roman adventure at the Australian National Maritime Museum as it presents a range of activities for children inspired by its major new exhibition Escape from Pompeii – the untold Roman Rescue.

Escape from Pompeii – the untold Roman rescue

January 12, 2017

A new international exhibition coming to Sydney in 2017 will reveal the untold story of the dramatic rescue attempt following one of history’s most famous and devastating natural disasters – the eruption of Mt Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD.

Museum maritime archaeology expedition departs for the Coral Sea

January 09, 2017

The Australian National Maritime Museum and The Silentworld Foundation* will lead a maritime archaeology expedition to the Coral Sea, departing today from Bundaberg to search for a number of 19th century shipwrecks including the wreck of the brig Bona Vista, lost in 1828 and the barque Jenny Lind, lost in 1850.

It’s a dog’s life in new exhibition

December 16, 2016

Dogs and Cats all at sea, Australian National Maritime Museum

It’s raining cats and dogs at the Australian National Maritime Museum this summer as Bailey, the museum’s canine employee who chases away seagulls, curates his very own exhibition of photographs featuring some of his furry friends – and frenemies!

Unique Tall Ship with a Social Inclusion Mission returns

December 13, 2016

Tenacious, a very special tall ship with a unique inclusive mission, will sail into Sydney Harbour on Wednesday 14 December to make its return to the Australian National Maritime Museum. The ship, which has been voyaging in southern Australia, is sailed by a crew of 40 individuals, around half of whom are living with disability.

Enjoy family New Year’s Eve festivities on Darling Harbour

December 12, 2016

This New Year’s Eve the Australian National Maritime Museum is inviting families to enjoy a fabulous night of fun with a great view of the spectacular Darling Harbour family fireworks.