Australian National Maritime Museum

The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) is a federally operated maritime museum located in Darling Harbour, Sydney. It was created as part of the New South Wales state government's plans to redevelop the area for the Australian bicentenary in 1988. Although it was meant to open in 1988, the museum finally opened its doors in 1991 after some delays.

As one of six museums run directly by the federal government, the ANMM is special because it is the only one not located in the Australian Capital Territory. The museum has seven main galleries that explore how Indigenous Australians connected with the sea, how people navigated Australian waters, journeys to Australia by sea, and the nation's naval defence. There are also four spaces for temporary exhibits.

Four historic ships can be visited up close: the HM Bark Endeavour Replica, the destroyer HMAS Vampire, the submarine HMAS Onslow, and a replica of the Duyfken. Even more ships can be seen from outside, though they are not open for boarding.

History

The Australian National Maritime Museum is one of six museums run by the Australian government, and it is the only one not located in the Australian Capital Territory. It is managed by the Department of Communications and the Arts.

The idea for this museum began in 1985 when the government decided to create a place to celebrate Australia’s history with the sea. It was built in Darling Harbour, Sydney, as part of making that area more exciting for visitors. The building was designed to look like sails with its tall, curved roof.

There were many challenges during building. The museum was supposed to open in 1988, but delays and money issues pushed the opening to 1991. The cost went from $30 million to $70 million, and there were disagreements about who should pay the extra cost. After solving these issues, the museum finally opened its doors to the public.

Galleries and vessels

Galleries

The Australian National Maritime Museum has many special rooms, each with its own theme.

Shaped by the Sea looks at how people have lived near the ocean for thousands of years, including the special ways Indigenous Australians connect with water. A big video art piece called Dhaŋaŋ Dhukarr shows stories from this gallery.

Passengers shows the journeys people took to come to Australia, from the first settlers to people who came on cruise ships.

Navy tells about the Royal Australian Navy and how it helps keep Australia safe. You can see real parts from old ships and even a helicopter hanging from the ceiling!

Under Southern Skies explores how people from many places, like Aboriginal Australians, traders, and explorers, sailed and mapped the waters around Australia.

There are also special spaces for changing exhibits and some extra displays like a very fast motorboat called _Spirit of Australia and an anchor from an important old ship.

Museum ships

The museum has real ships you can visit! You can walk on the HM Bark Endeavour Replica, the destroyer HMAS Vampire, the submarine HMAS Onslow, and a copy of the old Dutch ship _Duyfken. There’s also the beautiful sailing ship James Craig nearby that you can tour too.

The Endeavour Replica was built to honor the ship explorer James Cook used. It took many years to finish, but now you can see it up close. HMAS Vampire was one of the last big fighting ships in the Australian Navy, and HMAS Onslow was a submarine that served for many years. The _Duyfken replica is special because it was the first European ship to reach Australia’s shores.

Other interesting ships you can see (but not climb on) include a small patrol boat, racing yachts, old tugboats, and even a ship that helped during World War II!

Other facilities

The museum also has a very old lighthouse brought from Townsville, Queensland, and a special wall with the names of people who came to Australia by sea. There’s even a lifeboat used for training and classes!

Other collections

The museum has more than 1,000 special performance objects called ilma from the Bardi people. These objects were not on display for visitors in 2018. The Bardi are an Aboriginal group from the Dampier Peninsula in Western Australia.