Australian Stories, Your Way

The Museum provides full access to its facilities, ensuring a comfortable and convenient visit.

Enjoy your lunch break in either the forecourt or on the deck overlooking Lake Burley Griffin, surrounded by the beauty of the Museum’s grounds.

Before you leave, be sure to visit the Museum Shop. Find the perfect memento of your day, from fascinating books and educational resources to unique Australian-made gifts.

Students may wish to bring spending money and take home a keepsake of their unforgettable National Museum experience.

Booking and arrival

• All teacher-guided (TG) school visits to the National Museum of Australia must be booked through the Book Canberra Excursion (BCE) website at least two weeks prior to the visit.
• Bookings must include accurate school details, a contact teacher’s name and mobile number.
• Each booking has a maximum student limit, and additional bookings are required for larger groups.
• A teacher-to-student ratio must be maintained to ensure duty of care.
• Booking confirmations are required two weeks before the visit, and cancellations or changes must be made through the BCE website or by emailing the Museum Bookings Team.
• On arrival, the contact teacher must notify the front desk staff and provide student and teacher numbers.

Museum guidelines and procedures

• Students must leave bags on the bus or in the cloaking area, except for bags containing first aid or essential items.
• Photography for personal and educational purposes is allowed.
• Food and drinks are prohibited in the galleries and exhibition spaces.
• Schools are responsible for their belongings left in the cloaking area.
• TG schools must adhere to their scheduled booking times to avoid impacting other school groups.
• Meal breaks can be taken on the Museum's lakeside deck or in the forecourt garden under teacher supervision.
• Students must be escorted to the public toilets.
• Student visits to the Museum Shop are allowed under supervision, and students are asked to leave the Shop once finished to prevent overcrowding.
• TG bookings do not include access to paid temporary exhibitions.

Duty of care and other important information

• Teachers are responsible for their students’ behaviour and must maintain proximity throughout the visit.
• Failure to follow Museum rules and guidelines may result in the school’s removal from the site.
• In the case of a first aid incident, schools must alert Museum staff immediately and follow their directions.
• Before leaving the Museum, schools must ensure all students and teachers are accounted for and collect any belongings from the cloaking area.
• The Museum is not responsible for lost property but will attempt to locate it.
• Future TG bookings can be made through the BCE website or by contacting the Museum Bookings Team at bookings@nma.gov.au.