From across the sea - the museum's migration program explores our cultural heritage.

The arrival of waves of more than ten million migrants by boat and plane is one of the major themes in Australia’s history, and a foundation narrative of modern Australia, infusing our country with more than 200 different cultural and linguistic traditions. Was your family among them? 

Nearly half of all Australians were born overseas or have at least one parent born overseas. Migrants have contributed enormously to the making of modern Australia - we believe museums sharing their stories can increase our understanding of the unique challenges many migrants face.

Image: Group of migrants on the deck of MV Castel Verde, Italy, 1950–1957. ANMM Collection Gift from Barbara Alysen. Reproduced courtesy International Organisation for Migration. ANMM Collection ANMS02014[024]

Explore their stories:

Migration Blogs

Discover our shared histories through these compelling migration stories.

06 Nov 2017

The elusive Mrs Cherry

05 Oct 2017

Fifty years of Turkish migration

12 Sep 2017

Welcome Wall September 2017

11 May 2017

Stories from across the seas: New names on the Welcome Wall

27 Jan 2017

Chinese maritime traditions and Lunar New Year: It’s the Year of the Rooster… so bring on the Dragons!

22 Dec 2016

A Polish ship, British children and caring Sydneysiders captured in concrete

25 Sep 2016

Those who've come across the seas: New names unveiled on the Welcome Wall

21 Mar 2016

The Little Guys: Puppets and Creating Harmony
Needlework sampler made by Julia Donovan on board Carnatic en route to Australia, 1879

28 Jul 2015

A migration story in stitch

30 Apr 2015

A fishing boat called Freedom: the story of Tu Do

11 Nov 2014

Researching your family's child migrant history

27 Feb 2014

Australian-Chinese junks and sampans