The Australian Museum has an international reputation in the fields of natural history, indigenous research, community programs and exhibitions. It was originally called the Colonial or Sydney Museum and was Australia's first museum, it was renamed in June 1836.
Unique and extensive collections of natural science, anthropological and cultural artefacts are on display and is open every day of the year except Christmas Day.

The Museum has a number of top class standing exhibitions as well as ever changing special exhibitions and events. The standing exhibition includes Indigenous Australia, which is a tribute to the multicultural nature of Indigenous Australia; Skeletons: Framework for Survival, an exhibition of skeletons from mammal, fish, birds, reptiles and insects; Birds, Australian birds in all their varieties of colour, shape and size; Insects, displays of the life cycles of thousands of insects; the Mineral Collections, an awesome collection of more than 850 mineral specimens; More Than Dinosaurs, a display of dinosaurs and Australia's ancient mega fauna; and Biodiversity: Life Supporting Life, explores the rich variety of life in Australia.

The exhibitions are spread over three floors with a tour brochure provided to find your way around and you should allow several hours to see it all. There is also a Search & Discovery room where the Museum has research facilities.

SKELETONS
The famous 'Skeletons' exhibition is sure to form a memorable part of your Australian Museum visit. Admire the intricate skeletons of animals such as snakes and birds, and wonder at the external skeletons of creatures such as insects and crabs. The 'Skeletons' exhibition provides a very different perspective of natural history and is located within the oldest part of the Museum, the Long Gallery, which was built in 1846.

The museum was founded on March 30, 1845, by Earl Bathurst, then the Secretary of State for the Colonies, who wrote to the Governor of New South Wales of his intent to found a public museum, and provide £200 yearly towards its upkeep.
The museum operated at several locations around Sydney, until arriving at its present location on the corner of College and Park Streets in 1849. It first opened to the public in May 1857.
The sandstone building was designed by the New South Wales Colonial Architect James Barnet. The first chairman of the museum was William Holmes, who was appointed on June 16, 1829.
The first curator was well-known naturalist George Bennett, appointed in 1835, who was the first to catalogue the Museum's collections.

The museum remained largely unchanged until 1954 when additional buildings were built, several galleries were entirely overhauled, and a new Exhibitions department was created. The size of the education staff was also radically increased. By the end of the 1950s, all of the galleries had been completely overhauled.

MORE DETAIL
Australian Museum Website
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