What's on: Behind the scenes tour

Visit areas and collections normally reserved for scientists.

Behind The Scenes group in the Pacific Collection

Behind The Scenes group in the Pacific Collection
Stuart Humphreys © Australian Museum

Event Type:
Everyday event
Time:
11am - 1pm
Location:
Museum-wide
Admission:
Non-Members $130; Members $110; Group bookings of 6 or more: $110 per person.
Admission:
Prices

Did you know that less than one per cent of the Australian Museum’s vast collection of natural history specimens and cultural artefacts is on public display?

Now you can go behind the scenes for an up-close and personal tour of Australia’s first museum.

Sneak a peek at an irreplaceable collection of more than 16 million objects and experience incredible treasures – creatures large and small, birds and mammals, ancient fossils and precious minerals, plus incredible cultural artefacts from Indigenous Australia and the Pacific.

Visit working areas normally reserved for staff and researchers, where rare specimens are carefully preserved, and scientists conduct the latest scientific research into life on planet Earth.

Book now for Sydney’s leading scientific and cultural experience. Cost includes general entry into the Museum and a postcard gift set to take home as a memento.

Highlights

  • The Goliath Tarantula – a South American spider that can grow as large as a dinner plate
  • The Tasmanian Tiger – one of 140 specimens of extinct species in the Museum’s collection
  • The largest collection of Funnel-web Spiders in Australia
  • A King Penguin collected by Sir Douglas Mawson’s Antarctic Expedition in 1912–13
  • Items collected by Captain James Cook and spears in the Pacific Collection
  • A giant crab and lobster in the Marine Invertebrates Collection
  • ‘Painted ladies’ opals in the Gem Vault
  • Exotic butterfly and beetle collection
  • The taxidermy lab

Bookings and enquiries

Phone: 02 9320 6009 or email us. Bookings are essential and required by 3 pm two working days prior.

Booking information

  • Children 12 years and under not permitted
  • Tours limited to maximum of 11 people per tour
  • Exclusive group tours for 6 or more people can be arranged on request – ideal for corporate team-building events, clubs, social groups and community groups. Conditions apply.
  • Tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable.

Please note

  • Tour duration is 2 hours.
  • Tours run on schedule. Please arrive 15 minutes prior the start of your tour to allow the tour to start on time.
  • Wear comfortable clothing and closed in shoes as there is a lot of walking.
  • Tour accessibility is limited by narrow passageways and stairs. Please notify us at the time of booking of any special requirements and we will endeavour to accommodate you.
  • Certain collection areas contain naphthalene, a pungent chemical used in preserving samples. If you have an allergy to naphthalene or experience respiratory difficulties please inform the tour guide before taking the tour.
  • For security reasons, you may not take mobile phones, cameras, videos, other electrical equipment, bags, food or drink on the tour. All items must be cloaked before the tour departs.
  • Elements of the Behind the Scenes Tour and exhibits at the Australian Museum are subject to change without prior notice.

 

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