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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.

Experience The Great Kimberley Wilderness VR experience Time: 10.15am–3.15pm Ticket information: Costs apply, bookings essential Ticket information: Book tickets

Saturday, Sunday, Monday on the hour from 10.15am to 3.15pm
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.

Event Discovery Centre quiet hours Time: 9.15am–4.45pm Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

First Tuesday of the month
Explore the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre in quiet hours sessions 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 until January 27, 2026 Ticket information: 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.

Exhibition Play Time: 9am–5pm Date: Daily Ticket information: Free

Play is a new display of objects from the Museum’s rich collection of toys, many well-worn and once treasured. See if you recognise your own childhood and the enduring joy of play. See if you recognise your own childhood and the enduring joy of play.

Exhibition Hallyu! The Korean Wave Date: Daily Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

From 12 Dec 2025 – tickets on sale now
Explore the cultural phenomenon that’s reshaping music, film, fashion and beauty globally. Whether you’re a long-time fan or new to the wave, this exhibition invites you to experience the history, energy, innovation and influence of hallyu.

Event Great Southern Land quiet hours Time: 4pm–6pm Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Ticket information: Free, no booking required

Explore the story of the Australian continent in our Great Southern Land gallery, with reduced lighting and sound for visitors who prefer a quieter experience.

Event Landmarks quiet hours Time: 4pm–6pm Date: Tuesday, November 4, 2025 Ticket information: Free, no booking required

Explore our refreshed Landmarks gallery in a session with reduced lighting and sound, for visitors who prefer a quieter experience.

Event Museum Market Time: 9am–3pm Ticket information: Free

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November
Join us for an incredible weekend of art, design and community as AIATSIS and the National Museum collaborate for Peninsula Markets: Acton Together. Enjoy music, food and drinks and take advantage of our annual Friends sale weekend! Join Friends

Event Other Worlds concert Time: 6.30pm–7.30pm Date: Thursday, November 13, 2025 Ticket information: Costs apply Ticket information: Book tickets

Step into an otherworldly realm for the final concert of the Canberra Symphony Orchestra’s 75th anniversary season. Ghostly myths, love and longing intertwine in this immersive program of new music with ancient roots. Museum Friends receive a 10% discount. See the latest Friends email for promo code.

Event Free community day with story time in the Discovery Centre Time: 9am–4.45pm Date: Thursday, November 20, 2025 Ticket information: Free, bookings essential Ticket information: Book tickets

Play free at the Tim and Gina Fairfax Discovery Centre in recognition of World Children’s Day. For children of all abilities from birth to 6 years, their families and carers.

Event Time Traveller’s Book Club – The Birth of Korean Cool Time: 11am–12pm Date: Tuesday, November 25, 2025 Ticket information: Log in to book Ticket information: Book tickets

Get ready for our summer exhibition, Hallyu! The Korean Wave, with this cultural history by Euny Hong, that reveals how South Korea catapulted itself into the 21st century and is conquering the world through pop culture. Free and exclusive to Friends, bookings essential. Join Friends

Event Spotlight Conversations: Disrupting the narrative – attitudes to disability from past to present Time: 6pm–7.30pm Date: Thursday, November 27, 2025 Ticket information: Costs apply, bookings essential Ticket information: Book tickets

In the lead up to International Day of People with Disability, join Nas Campanella, the ABC’s disability affairs reporter, Christina Ryan, founder of the Disability Leadership Institute, and Wayne Herbert, activist, author and comedian, for a lively and thought-provoking conversation ranging across history, activism and lived experience.

Event Object Club – Sporting glory Time: 10.30am–11.30am Date: Friday, November 28, 2025 Ticket information: Log in to book Ticket information: Book tickets

Sports fans, backyard cricketers and history lovers! Join curator Henry Buckenham to discover the stories behind Don Bradman’s 1947–48 baggy green and other sporting treasures. You’ll be surprised to find their significance extends beyond the field of play! Free and exclusive to Friends, bookings essential. Join Friends

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.

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