National Museum of Australia — Attraction in District of Canberra Central

So so disappointed in the Museum as a whole and particularly the Pompeii Exhibition, especially after having read so much about it for weeks on end.

Personally speaking, my family usually hates me dragging them to Museums because the can never get me out again under 3, 4 or more hours.... usually being the operative word.

Here, at the "National Museum" which I've wanted to visit for many years, it was the opposite. After 40 minutes, I was ready to leave (without the family 🤔 if need be), as "Pompeii" was the most underwhelming exhibition I'd ever seen (and I've seen many in my time).

If I sound ungrateful, I probably am - but honestly? $78 rounded up for a family of four (two of us oldies, a teenager and his mother) for "discounted" tickets because we are "Friends of the Australian Museum" - and for what?

No real signage, no pamphlet about the exhibition as a keepsake, no instructions except, "straight through the door, enjoy your visit" , into one large room with around 8 alcoves of tiny exhibits and ONE set of plaster casts.

The main "feature" was depicted as being a frightening scene of the chaos and destruction as it occurred on the day beginning with the earthquake and volcanic eruption, with warnings about darkening lights, some flashing lights etc etc.

We found a group of people looking at a projection screen of Mt Vesuvius, decided to wait for the "event" to unfold (expecting some kind of announcement beforehand, but there was none) and ten minutes later, the cloud of dust appeared on screen, followed by the eruption with smoke and lava billowing downwards towards those of us watching....then it was over.

Seriously? I could have watched a documentary (and have) that was more realistic and terrifying about that dreadful day without all the effort and money to get to the NMA.

I tried to justify it all to my family, but the words had a hollow ring, sadly. I was just too disappointed - since the last exhibition I'd seen was at the Art Gallery of NSW around 45 years ago (on Pompeii) - and that had really been something to behold with hundreds of exhibits and casts , but also a crush of people back then.

We then decided on a late lunch in the Cafe but sadly the "hot food ends at 2pm" , and it was then 3pm , so it was disappointingly just coffee and cake, nice but average and certainly not lunch, late or otherwise.

As others have correctly pointed out, the lack of Australian history, apart from our obvious Indigenous history, which is on view and worthy of seeing, is also sorely lacking.

As such I do find it hard to concede that it's the National Museum of Australia - rather it should be called the Museum of Canberra in my opinion.

What really annoys me most?

They blew up a perfectly fantastic hospital to build this state of the art, "museum" in its stead.

The hospital was far more important I'm sorry to have to sound blunt.

My family thought it hilarious that I was the FIRST person to say, "let's go home". And, they will probably never let me...

We were quite looking forward to visiting the NMA having never been on previous visits.

I find it rather difficult to articulate just how and why our experience was so totally disappointing, but I'll do my best.

Firstly the practical side of things: hard surfaces throughout with little attention paid to conflicting audio visual exhibits meant you were just constantly over-stimulated by sounds. So much audio trying to compete for your ear drums makes for an entirely unpleasant experience and makes you want to move through the spaces at speed to escape.

In terms of curation, I appreciate this is subjective. But, it feels like you're walking through a catalogue of stuff.

There's WAY TOO MANY ARTEFACTS, EVERYWHERE!

It's just a constant dribble of things, seemingly without deep connection to the things that came before or after. The storytelling is inadequate.

It's almost like walking through a supermarket - yes, we have so many things. The end.

In terms of the physical presentation of this stuff, it is painfully dated. I don't know when these things were put in place but it honestly feels like it's stuck in the 90's.

The styling of everything from the cases to information panels, lighting and tactile, it's all just so dated it feels cringe.

Even down to the way you move through the spaces is often illogical: best example of this is the "Our Story: Aboriginal–Chinese People in Australia". You get to the bottom of the stairs where this exhibit is, and in front of you is the end of the exhibit. So, rather than beginning this exhibit where you stand, moving from right to left as the curve of the room naturally wants to take you, you must turn right, walk 20 or so metres to be under and behind the stairs to the right, to begin this exhibit.

Anyway, we left feeling cold, empty and thoroughly disappointed.

This is a classic example of the physical architecture pounding the purpose of the building so deeply into the dirt it's entirely inappropriate for what it was meant to do, and an apparent ineptitude in curation to counter this challenge.

Serious...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the National Museum of Australia in Canberra, and it truly exceeded my expectations. The museum offers a rich and immersive experience that celebrates the diverse stories, cultures, and histories that shape the nation.

One of the standout features of the museum is the incredible variety of exhibits. From ancient Aboriginal artifacts to contemporary Australian innovations, the range is vast and thoughtfully curated. The First Australians Gallery is deeply moving and educational, offering an honest and powerful insight into Indigenous cultures and histories. It’s a respectful and engaging tribute to the oldest continuous culture in the world.

Equally fascinating are the exhibits on Australia’s social and political history, including interactive displays about Federation, migration, and rural life. The museum does an excellent job of making complex topics accessible and engaging through multimedia, hands-on activities, and storytelling.

The Landmarks gallery, which explores how people have lived on and interacted with the land across different eras, was another highlight. It connects local stories to national themes in a way that’s both personal and universal.

For families, the museum is a delight – there are plenty of interactive zones for children, and the temporary exhibitions are often cutting-edge and visually stunning. During my visit, a special exhibition on Australian pop culture had everyone from kids to grandparents smiling and reminiscing.

The building itself is architecturally impressive, with sweeping views of Lake Burley Griffin, and the outdoor Garden of Australian Dreams adds another layer of experience to your visit.

In short, the National Museum of Australia is a vibrant, inclusive, and thought-provoking destination that offers something for everyone. Whether you're a local or a tourist, it's well...