Due to the sheer size of our collection, only a fraction of the Australian National Maritime Museum’s objects can be on display at any one time. 

Don't let our lack of physical space get in the way of making new discoveries. You can explore a rich and diverse collection of artefacts online ranging from rocket boats to gold buttons, and discover a wealth of remarkable stories.

Main image: Dock workers and floating crane / Titan Darling Harbour / c. 1947. David Moore. ANMM Collection 00030758

 

 

Colonial Wallpapers - Pacific Encounters

 

Based on the conventions and elements of early European sea charts, the painting 'Colonial Wallpapers - Pacific Encounters' incorporates a central compass rose, rumb lines and wind gods in a reconstruction of the Pacific.

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Two women and a baby. Photo: Samuel J Hood. ANMMCollection 00034602

10 May 2019

Remembering the marvelous maritime mothers
Gervaise Purcell, 1954 hats

07 May 2019

Hats off to Gervaise Purcell
Jonesy

29 Apr 2019

The spirit of adventure
Japanned papier-mâché tea tray bearing the patent mark of Henry Clay and painted with a scene of the death of Captain Cook. Image Andrew Frolows/ANMM

15 Apr 2019

Anyone for tea?
Australian nurses preparing to depart Sydney, May 1940. Photographer: Samuel J Hood Studio, ANMM Collection 00020450

10 Apr 2019

In celebration of military nurses
Sailors' weather lore - myth or meterology? Image: moisseyev/istock.

23 Mar 2019

Red sky at night, sailor's delight?

11 Mar 2019

When going to the beach required pyjamas
Scott Gustetter, swimmer, at the 2002 Gay Games. © Paul Freeman Reproduced courtesy of Paul Freeman.

19 Feb 2019

Sea of Rainbow
Matthew Flinders and Bungaree by Helen Tiernan from her series ‘Heroes of Colonial Encounters’. ANMM Collection 00055144 and 00055142.

02 Feb 2019

Finding Flinders (and Bungaree)