Sensory friendly days

Family program

Photo of a girl with long brown hair and a white top touching a tall sculpture made from colourful recycled material to look like a coral reef.

Enjoy a relaxed, supportive and comfortable environment with reduced sensory input.

Sensory Friendly Sundays are designed for kids and adults on the autism spectrum and visitors with a variety of access requirements to enjoy a visit with their family and friends.

On Sensory-Friendly Days in Summer Holidays, our galleries and new exhibitions including Ocean Photographer of The Year, one of our navy vessels and all of our creative activity areas including Kids on Deck, Sea Forest and Seahorse Hotel will be open extra early for a quieter experience. Sound and light levels will be adjusted to suit visitors on the autism spectrum and with a range of differing abilities.

Our trained staff and volunteers will be on hand to facilitate creative activities.

Suitable for all ages

Young boy with short, dark hair, wearing a yellow check shirt standing in front of a large projection of a coastline

Young boy with short, dark hair, wearing a grey shirt with colourful print and sunflower lanyard playing with large blue blocks.

Young boy with short, dark hair, wearing a yellow shirt and sunflower lanyard touching a sculpture on the gallery wall, with a young girl out of focus behind.

Boy touching a wooden pole, with a glowing orange projection on the pole and in the background.

Children in a dark space looking through glass at a museum display.

1 - 5

Upcoming dates

Sunday early access, 8.30am – 11.30am

Sunday 11 November – Term time program
Sunday 20 December – Summer Holidays Program
Sunday 17 and 31 January – Summer Holidays Program + ERTH meet and greet
Sunday 28 February – Term time program

Sensory Friendly Summer Holiday sessions between 20 December – 31 January will include access to holiday programs.

On 17 and 31 January we will have additional relaxed experiences such as a behind the scenes meet the puppets experience with ERTH Visual and Physical Inc.

In term time, access will still include Kids on Deck, all our exhibitions and vessels but the summer holiday areas will no longer be open.

Proud to support the sunflower

The museum supports the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower. You are encouraged to bring and wear your sunflower lanyard if you have one, or pick one up for free on arrival to the museum

Staff who have had training to support visitors with Hidden Disabilities will also be wearing a sunflower badge or sticker.

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Accessibility at the museum

The museum is an experience for everyone to enjoy. We’re committed to being an inclusive museum that's accessible to all and offer tailored programs and services to assist.

Learn more