First Nations
Explore the museum's keeping place of conversations with community relating to past exhibitions, research and public programs related to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island cultures.
The Australian National Maritime Museum acknowledges many contributions by Individuals, communities, artists and staff and is a reservoir of knowledges relating to the museum's custodianship and ongoing responsibilities to freshwater and saltwater.
Tunku and Ngaadi
Vivid Sydney 2025
Tunku and Ngaadi is a Dreaming story from the south coast of NSW told and illustrated by Walbunja and Ngarigo artist Cheryl Davison and sung by Djinama Yilaga Choir.
Tunku and Ngaadi will be shown daily from Friday 23 May to Saturday 14 June from 6pm until 11pm. We encourage viewing from nearby vantage points – Pyrmont Bridge or King Street Wharf.
Current Exhibitions
Figurehead of a First Nations woman
This figurehead is believed to be the earliest known surviving ship carving of a First Nations person from Australia.
The timber, carving and decorative motifs date it to the early to mid-1800s.
With the help of technology, the museum's curators are unravelling the figurehead's full story.
Search our First Nations objects collection
Au Karem Ira Lamar Lu – Ghost Nets of the Ocean
Au Karem Ira Lamar Lu - Ghost Nets of the Ocean exhibition is the largest collection of ghost net art in the Southern Hemisphere. They carry a message from the Torres Strait for the world to heed: the oceans are connected to everyone. Humans everywhere are affecting the world's oceans.
Featured Community
1606 - Contact at Cape Keerweer
This education resource introduces students to the Duyfken, which was the first European vessel to meet the First Nations people of Australia on Wik country on the Cape York Peninsula in 1606.
