Australians got a unique chance to explore what it means to be Australian when the National Museum of Australia opened in Canberra on Sunday 11 March 2001.
The flagship for Centenary of Federation celebrations, the National Museum received total funding of over $150 million for the construction of the new facilities from the Federation Fund. It is the first museum in the country devoted to the stories of Australia and Australians, exploring the key issues, events and people that have shaped and influenced our nation.
Rare and unique objects which illustrate the complex origins of the Australian continent and nation have been collected for the past 20 years and-complemented by objects on loan from museums across the country-will be the focus for the Museum's wide range of stories and exhibitions.
State of the art technology and exhibition design present these stories in an exciting and inventive manner, including the use of multimedia, live performances and hands-on activities, to appeal to a wide range of audiences.
The Museum, on Canberra's Acton Peninsula, features five permanent exhibitions, including:
- Nation: Symbols of Australia;
- Horizons: The Peopling of Australia since 1788;
- Eternity: Stories from the Emotional Heart of Australia;
- Tangled Destinies: Land and People in Australia; and
- First Australians: Gallery of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples.
Three blockbuster exhibitions are already planned for this year, commencing with the spectacular Gold and Civilisation which explores the impact of the discovery of gold in 19th century Australia and draws on priceless gold objects from 35 other countries.
Excitement and innovation are not just limited to the exhibits -the colourful building itself is an architectural landmark, one which complements and enhances the beautiful surroundings of Canberra's Acton Peninsula.
The Museum is co-located on Acton Peninsula with the Australian Institute of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies. Through collaborations in research and exhibitions, the two institutions together create a cultural precinct of international significance.
There are no admission charges for permanent exhibitions.
Contact
For further information contact the National Museum of Australia on (02) 6208 5000, email: information@nma.gov.au
or visit the website at: http://www.nma.gov.au
