National Museum of Australia

The National Museum of Australia is a history museum on the shore of Lake Burley Griffin in Acton, a suburb of Canberra. The building consists of several pavilions linked by corridors and houses collections about Indigenous cultures, European settlement and contemporary life in the country.

The museum came into being through an act of parliament in 1980, but spent two decades without a permanent home. The current building opened in March 2001 on Acton Peninsula and brought the collections to a lasting location.

The museum displays First Peoples objects in an area that makes visible their connection to land through painting, ritual and craft tradition. Visitors see there tools that have been used and passed down through generations.

The museum sits on Lawson Crescent and opens daily from 9 AM to 5 PM with free admission. Guided tours run at set times, which can be checked in advance.

The architecture of the building takes its form from knotted ropes, a reference to interwoven narratives of the past. This design runs through the facade and floor plan and recalls the connection between stories and people.

Location: Acton

Location: Canberra

Inception: November 3, 1980

Official opening: 1980

Fee: No

Operator: Australian Government

Address: Lawson Crescent

Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 09:00-17:00

Phone: +61262085000

Website: http://nma.gov.au

GPS coordinates: -35.29310,149.12100

Latest update: December 20, 2025 16:00