National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia was formally established by the National Museum of Australia Act 1980. It did not have a permanent home until March 2001, when it was officially opened in the national capital Canberra. The National Museum preserves and interprets Australia’s social history, exploring the key issues, people and events that have shaped the nation.

The Museum profiles 50,000 years of Indigenous heritage, settlement since 1788 and key events including Federation and the Sydney 2000 Olympics. The Museum holds the world’s largest collection of Aboriginal bark paintings and stone tools, the heart of champion racehorse Phar Lap and the Holden prototype no.1 car.

The Museum also develops and travels exhibitions on subjects ranging from bushrangers to surf lifesaving. The National Museum of Australia Press publishes a wide range of books, catalogues and journals. The Museum’s Centre for Historical Research takes a cross-disciplinary approach to history, ensuring the museum is a lively forum for ideas and debate about Australia’s past, present and future.