Australian National Maritime Museum
Go and see the Australian National Maritime Museum, home to fantastic exhibitions that explore Australia's links to the Sea
A visit to the Australian National Maritime Museum is ideal for a fun-filled day of exploring various Australian maritime activities, European seafaring, aquatic sport, as well as the maritime defence of Australia's shores.
Be sure to check out Wharf 7 Maritime Heritage Centre, which houses the Vaughan Evans Library, boat building workshops, museum collection storage, ship model workshop, a conservation laboratory and display area. If you are a water sports enthusiast, you will not want to miss out on the spectacular exhibition that the Museum houses. Here, you will be able to climb into and explore the Blackmores First Lady – Australia's most famous yacht. Since its official opening in 1991 the Australian National Maritime Museum has accrued a collection of over 40,000 objects.
In addition to the vast indoor exhibits, the museum also has over ten different real vessels for you to explore including a submarine.
The museum offers a variety of different activities for all ages. If you are feeling adventurous, they even offer a sailing cruise on the beautiful Sydney Harbour in either an authentic tall ship or aboard a luxury yacht.
Nearby attractions: Star City Casino and Lyric Theatre, Sydney Aquarium, Wild Life Sydney, Imax Theatre, Chinese Gardens, Powerhouse Museum, Paddy's Market and Chinatown.
Facts For Your Visit
Fee: Yes.Australian National Maritime Museum Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays
- Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
- Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Address: 2 Murray St, Darling Hbr, Sydney NSW 2000, Australia
Phone: (02) 9298 3777
Official Website: Australian National Maritime Museum
Australian National Maritime Museum Reviews
Rated out of 5
An incredible experience climbing through real warships!
We had an amazing time visiting the National Maritime Museum. Getting to step on board and explore both the submarine HMAS Onslow and the destroyer HMAS Vampire was an unbelievable experience and easily the absolute highlights of our visit—it's fascinating to see what life was like inside these massive vessels. To top it all off, catching the awesome view looking out from the historic Cape Bowling Green Lighthouse was the perfect bonus.
We happened to visit on a free entry day, so there were heaps of people there and we had to wait extra long to get onto the ships, but it was still well worth it. That being said, I would recommend not going on a free entry day if you want to skip the crowds and the long lines!
Overall, it's a fantastic, hands-on museum with so much to see. Highly recommend for a great day out!
Louis PAPPY - 3 weeks ago
Our visit was truly exceptional. Having a family member serving in the Navy made the experience even more meaningful and worthwhile. As first-time visitors, we were blessed with a very special welcome, which made the day even more memorable.
We thoroughly enjoyed exploring the HMAS Vampire and the submarine, as well as viewing the First Lady sailing boat, Viking Explorer, and the rest of the museum exhibits. There was so much history and fascinating information to discover throughout the site.
Overall, it was a wonderful experience, and we highly recommend a visit to anyone interested in Australia’s maritime history.
Monica Lamani - 2 months ago
What an amazing experience for the whole family! You could easily spend an entire day here. We thought it was so exciting to go inside a real submarine and a navy ship. The actual museum was full of interesting things and provided lots of information. The staff and volunteers were all very knowledgeable and friendly, they were more than happy to stop for a chat.
Do note that some of the ships are only open at certain times, which I didn't see listed anywhere on the website. Luckily we arrived early in the day and were able to see them all. You will encounter a lot of ladders and stairs onboard the vessels, so keep that in mind if you have mobility issues.
Mel - a month ago
Highly recommend anyone to visit. Definitely fascinating, informative history & the vast size is absolutely incredible. What our past & future navy crew endured was astounding & unreal. We very much appreciate & enjoyed the historical experience, information & understanding of our brave, courageous & tough crew. What they went through & still go through is beyond comprehension. Highly recommend this respected, professional experience. Definitely worth the money (actually should charge more), definitely a family friendly experience. Happy customers & 👍
Jeff Perdreau - 4 months ago
Definitely worth the visit. Lots to see and do. I personally enjoyed the submarine and destroyer excursions. Give yourself 2-3hrs to cover most of the exhibits. Longer if you are a complete station reader and info gatherer.
Michael M - 5 months ago
Directions
| Train Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney Light Rail - L1 | Pyrmont Bay | 1 minute |
| L2. T1, T2, T3 or T4 | Town Hall | 17 minutes |
How to get to Australian National Maritime Museum by Train
By Light Rail - L1: exit at Pyrmont Bay MLR Stop. The museum is across Murray Street (east) from the station..
By Train and Bus: exit at Town Hall Station and turn right (north) into George Street, left on Park Street, right on York Street then left on Market Street. When you see the pedestrian ramp on your left follow it up and walk across the Pyrmont Bridge. Alternatively, board the 443 bus on York Street which will take you right to the Museum.
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Photo Gallery
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The fastest boat in the world is just one of many neat things you'll see in the Australian National Maritime Museum cc licensed photo by Dennis Conrad -
Photo Credit: D-Stanley - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Bernard Spragg - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Bernard Spragg - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Bernard Spragg - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: hugh llewelyn - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: hugh llewelyn - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: jimbowen0306 - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: hugh llewelyn - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: hugh llewelyn - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: hugh llewelyn - cc license via Flickr
