Australian Museum - the oldest museum in the country, an internationally recognized institution in the field of natural history and anthropology. It has extensive collections of vertebrates and invertebrates, as well as exhibits that introduce mineralogy, paleontology and anthropology, Australia and other regions of the world. An important focus of the museum is the research on the history and culture of indigenous peoples.

Located on College Street, originally it was known as the Colonial Museum or Sydney, and received its current name in June 1836 after a long dispute. The idea to establish a museum owned by the Philosophical Society of Australasia, and it appeared in 1821, but then began to collect the first collection. However, a year later, society has disintegrated, and the next enthusiast of the museum appeared only in 1826 - it was Alexander Maclay entomologist from London, appointed secretary of the colony of New South Wales.

The first location for the museum's collections was a small room in the Secretariat Colony, then the museum moved several times, until in 1849, has not found a permanent "residence" in the present building. This pretty sandstone building located at the corner of College Street and Park Street directly opposite Hyde Park, designed by architect James Barnet. In the mid-20th century to the building of the museum were added additional "wings", several galleries completely renovated, and was created by the Department of Trade. Significantly increased the number of staff responsible for educational programs.

In March 1978 the Museum made an unusual initiative - on his project was launched by the Australian Museum exhibition train, which was to "introduce students and residents of New South Wales to the wonderful world of nature and evolution." In one train car could get acquainted with the evolution of our planet, animals and humans. In another - listen to fascinating lectures. In two years, the train traveled all the settlements state!

In 1995, the Museum established new research centers in the field of nature conservation, biodiversity, evolution of the planet, georaznoobraziya and others.