Discover stories behind the latest exhibitions, fascinating explorations into maritime science and archaeology, and the surprising details of what happens inside (and outside) a modern working museum.

Australian military observers being welcomed by Republican officers in Yogyakarta on 14 September 1947. National Library of Australia.

17 Aug 2020

75th anniversary of Indonesian independence
The second pilot steamer  Captain Cook (II) was designed by W D Cruikshank and built at Mort’s Dock & Engineering Company in 1892. Used as a naval training ship during World War II, it was scuttled off Sydney in October 1947. Photographed c 1920 by William James Hall. ANMM Collection ANMS1092[015] Gift from Mr and Mrs Glassford

07 Aug 2020

'Not all beer and skittles': Sydney Harbour pilotage
Fold-out engraving from Ferrante Imperato's Dell'Historia Naturale (Naples 1599), the earliest illustration of a natural history cabinet. Source: Wikimedia

23 Jul 2020

Cabinet of curiosities
Photojournalist Justin Gilligan standing in front of his photograph, Colliding Views

22 May 2020

Q&A with WPY finalist Justin Gilligan
Arthur Pringle as a lieutenant in 1899. Image courtesy of Eliots of Port Eliot

21 May 2020

'Ever your loving son': Arthur Pringle and his letters home
Painting of James Cook

20 Apr 2020

Mythbusting Cook: Fact fiction and total fallacy
Women in their swimming costumes on the beach at Lindeman Island, Queensland, Christmas 1928

17 Feb 2020

Frolicking and Fossicking: Touring the Great Barrier Reef in 1928
Swimcap

16 Jan 2020

Vintage beach glamour: Five stylish swimming caps

23 Dec 2019

Our top 10 most-read blogs of 2019