Landmarks | National Museum of Australia

Come on a journey that spans the history of modern Australia.

Defining moments of a nation

From the encounters between this continent’s First Nations peoples and those on board the Endeavour, through to Covid-19 and school strikes for climate, Landmarks explores the moments and objects that help define the Australian nation.

It’s a rich and complex story that is still evolving – and is one that includes us all.

Exhibition highlights

A woman stands in a gallery looking at a large canvas banner mounted on the wall. It shows a woman in a white robe, unfurling a flag behind her. - click to view larger image — Waterside Workers' banner, about 1920

Side view of a blue sedan car with bonnet open, in a museum gallery, with a large Holden advertising billboard mounted on the wall behind. - click to view larger image — Holden Prototype No. 1, 1946

Museum gallery showing two rows of theatre seating in the foreground. The first row are plain wooden seats, the second row are plush, upholstered seats. Other objects on display behind the seats include an arch window TV prop, clothing, and a large handpainted sign on the wall that reads 'School kids 4 climate action'. - click to view larger image — Ray-Mond Theatre seats, padded for white patrons; wooden for black patrons, 1940–65

Four small, elaborate gold brooches, shaped to look like mining tools including pans and picks. - click to view larger image — Goldfields jewellery, late 19th century

Elaborate Mardi Gras costume in a museum, with a stylised clock headdress and three-tired skirt in orange and black. - click to view larger image — Old Mother Time costume, 1995

Three dresses on display in a large show case in the Landmarks gallery. The Burgundy dress is in the middle, to the left is golden cream silk dress and to the right is white dress with orange and red flowers. - click to view larger image — Dresses worn by Faithfull family women, 1800s

A large anchor mounted against a wall, with a smaller cat sculpture displayed at right and a plinth with text on it at left. - click to view larger image — *Investigator*'s stream anchor, 1801

Convict Tokens

Ned Kelly's Jerilderie letter

Oscar's sketchbook

Yoshiko Ishikawa’s wedding dress

Defining Moments: Eureka Stockade 5:50

The story of gold miners who rebelled against the Victorian Government

Defining Moments: Women’s suffrage 5:44

South Australia was the first electorate in the world to give equal political rights to both men and women

Postwar immigration drive

Bali bombings

Gold rushes

Indigenous referendum

Federation

Don Bradman's baggy green

Read our blog post about the champion cricketer's cap, on show in Landmarks.

Springfield–Faithfull family collection

Phar Lap collection

Holden Prototype No. 1

Trevor Kennedy Collection

Gertrud Bodenwieser dance collection

Sunshine Harvester Works

Event Landmarks quiet hours 4pm–6pm Tuesday, December 2, 2025 Free, no booking required

Discover our Landmarks gallery and explore the moments and objects that help define the Australian nation. For visitors who prefer smaller crowds and a quieter experience.

Banner image: Holden Prototype No. 1, 1946. National Museum of Australia

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