Part of a series of pages highlighting key recent major cultural infrastructure projects supported by Create NSW and other partners.
Project at a glance
The Australian Museum is the oldest museum in Australia and one of the most important natural history and cultural institutions in the world.
Project Discover is a major transformation of the Australian Museum's facilities, spaces and visitor experience.
The first stage was finished in 2020. It involved:
the redevelopment of the museum’s public and exhibition spaces. adding more than 3000 square metres of new public space to the museum,
a new touring exhibition hall that can accommodate large-scale international exhibitions,
improved amenities including a new dedicated entrance for school groups,
expanded workshop spaces, a refurbished members lounge and café.
Create NSW continues to work closely with the Australian Museum on gallery upgrades and a master plan update. This coincides with the Australian Museum’s 200th anniversary in 2027.
Here is a link to the museum’s page on future redevelopment plans: Future plans - The Australian Museum
Who it is for
The Australian Museum project is for everyone who is interested in learning more about the natural and cultural wonders of our world. This includes:
- Visitors who will enjoy a more immersive, interactive, and inspiring museum experience
- The community who will have more engagement and participation in the museum’s activities and programs
- Researchers who will have increased capacity and capability to conduct scientific and cultural research
- Artists and curators who will have more opportunities to showcase their work and collaborate with the museum.
Who it involves
The Australian Museum Project Discover project involves a collaboration between various stakeholders, such as:
- Create NSW, which has provided funding, guidance and other support
- Australian Museum
- The Australian Museum Trust, the Australian Museum Foundation, and Australian Museum Members
- Acclaimed architects on the project Neeson Murcutt + Neille (NM+M) and Cox Architecture
- Kane Constructions
- Other consultants, subcontractors, suppliers, and partners.
Special features
Stage 1 of Project Discover was designed by Neeson Murcutt and Neille and COX Architecture. It received three significant accolades at the 2021 Australian Institute of Architects NSW Architecture Awards. This included its top honour, the NSW Architecture Medallion.
The Australian Museum has the largest collection in the southern hemisphere. But it also has the smallest public floor space of any major museum in the country.
Project Discover is expanding the museum's public floor space. This will enable the museum to both:
- showcase more of its collection
- attract world-class touring exhibitions.
More information
See Australian Museum Project Discover page and view the links above in 'Who is involved' to learn more about the project and design.