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Experience Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre Time: 9.15am–4.45pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Costs apply, bookings essential Ticket information: Book tickets

Daily 75-minute sessions: 9.15am, 10.45am, 12.15pm, 2pm, 3.30pm
This fun, immersive play and learn space is designed for children of all abilities from birth to 6 years, their families and carers. Every session includes free, child-led activities in our mini makers corner.

Exhibition Pompeii Time: 9am–6pm Date: Daily until May 4, 2025 Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

Opening hours extended until 6pm daily
Step inside Pompeii and discover life in the ancient city before the fateful eruption of Mount Vesuvius almost 2,000 years ago. Pompeii is an extraordinary new immersive experience that combines captivating soundscapes and large-scale digital projections with over 90 remarkable objects from the ancient city.

Exhibition Variations on the Classical Time: 9am–5pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Free

This exhibition brings together objects held in the Museum’s collection to explore the long reach of the classical past and its influence in Australia.

Experience The Great Kimberley Wilderness VR experience Time: 11.15am–2.15pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Costs apply, bookings essential Ticket information: Book tickets

Be transported to one of the world’s most breathtaking and pristine landscapes in The Great Kimberley Wilderness – a 35-minute virtual reality documentary narrated by Luke Hemsworth.

Tour Museum highlights tour Time: 1pm–2pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

This guided tour provides an excellent introduction to the Museum, exploring highlights from our permanent exhibition galleries.

Exhibition Talking Blak to History Time: 9am–5pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Free

Talking Blak to History in our First Australians gallery features powerful objects and stories that speak to the aftermath of colonisation, of survival and resilience.

Tour Host talks Date: Daily Ticket information: Free

On the hour between 10am and 4pm
Join a free 10-minute host talk in our Great Southern Land or First Australians galleries or the Garden of Australian Dreams.

Tour Building and architecture tour Date: Daily Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

10am
This guided tour provides an insight into the stories and meanings hidden in the Museum building, design and landscapes. Please wear appropriate footwear for walking outside.

Tour First Australians tour Date: Daily Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

3–4pm
Take a guided tour with one of our hosts to learn about First Nations peoples, their history, culture and connection to country.

Exhibition Great Southern Land Time: 9am–5pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Free

Explore stunning objects and rich multi-sensory experiences as you discover the story of the vast, vibrant Australian continent. See how the continent has transformed into one of the most diverse and resilient places on Earth – and how these changes can guide us in the future.

Tour Great Southern Land group tours Date: Daily Ticket information: Costs apply, bookings essential Ticket information: Book tickets

Daily at 9am, 11am, 12pm, 2pm, 4pm
Traverse the vast, vibrant Australian continent on this tour of the Museum’s environmental history gallery, Great Southern Land.

Story time Time: 10.30am–10.45am Ticket information: Drop-in, places are limited

Tuesdays and Thursdays during ACT school term
Enjoy free 15-minute story time sessions in the workshop next to the Discovery Centre. Drop-in, places are limited.

Story time Time: 10.30am–10.45am Ticket information: Drop-in, places are limited

Tuesdays and Thursdays during ACT school term
Enjoy free 15-minute story time sessions in the workshop next to the Discovery Centre. Drop-in, places are limited.

Event Discovery Centre quiet hours Time: 3.30pm–4.45pm Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

First Tuesday of the month
Explore the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre in a quiet hours session for visitors who prefer a quieter experience. These sessions offer reduced noise and sensory experiences.

Exhibition Our Story: Aboriginal–Chinese People in Australia Time: 9am–5pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Until 27 Jan 26, free

Our Story sheds light on the little-known history of Aboriginal and Chinese relations in colonial Australia. Curated by artist and researcher Zhou Xiaoping, the exhibition draws on historical records and oral histories to bring these untold stories into the collective consciousness of all Australians.

Event Terrariums and climate school holiday program Time: 10am–12.30pm Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 April
Explore the effects of climate change on the Australian continent in the Great Southern Land gallery and hear from experts about their work in this dynamic field. Create your own terrarium and stabilise its climate to ensure a sustainable environment for your mini ecosystem. Suitable for ages 12–17 years, under 18s must be accompanied by an adult.

Time Traveller’s Book Club – Madhouse at the End of the Earth Time: 11am–12pm Date: Tuesday, April 29, 2025 Ticket information: Free, bookings essential Ticket information: Book tickets

It’s August 1897. The Belgica sets sail, aiming to become the first scientific expedition to reach the white wilderness of the South Pole. Then everything goes terribly wrong. Join us to discuss this chilling survival story cleverly told by Julian Sancton. Exclusive to Friends. Join Friends

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