The Beach
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We invite you to The Beach - an exhibition and an all-ages play-and-chill-scape – for sun(less) summering where fun, art and, memory meet. Shimmering digital projections, a breezy soundscape, interactive rockpools and a soft, towering, sand(less) castle transforms the gallery into a summer world that is both recognisable and new. Here, the beach becomes more than a destination – it becomes a way of seeing and celebrating ourselves and each other.
Artists including Anne Zahalka, Max Dupain, Lola Ryan, Charles Meere and Ken Done capture the sun-soaked joy and the rhythms of cultural rituals. As you wander through light, playful forms and familiar seaside objects, consider how the beach shapes us – and how we shape it in return.
To our community,
This space is dedicated to connection and healing.
Recent events in Bondi remind us of the value of kindness and compassion. They make us stronger.
We invite you to slow down, listen and be together in peace.
Daryl Karp AM, Director and CEO, Australian National Maritime Museum
Photos: Geoff Magee for the Australian National Maritime Museum
Our collection on display
Beach Babies
On selected Wednesdays and Fridays in January, our summer interactive exhibition The Beach opens early exclusively for babies aged 0–24 months and their parents and carers.
Enjoy a calm, immersive start to the day with shimmering large-scale light projections, soft sand-free play structures and gentle instrumental music designed for young senses.
Parents and carers can relax with a drink from Ripples Café while their little ones explore a range of beach-inspired sensory play experiences, including bubbles, balance stones, inflatables, musical instruments, interactive rock pool animations, intertidal animal puppets and beach-themed stories. Vintage swimwear and surf culture displays sit alongside the play space, offering adults something to enjoy too.
Wednesdays and Fridays 7-23 January
$26 adult, $18 member adult, babies free
Admission includes a beverage and all-day access to our free galleries and experiences.
Mermaids take-over
Make a splash after dark as mermaids take over The Beach in a special after-hours, ticketed live performance event for families and young ocean lovers.
On select evenings these summer school holidays, a shimmering shoal of Darling Harbour mermaids will transform The Beach with live performances, mythic storytelling, dress-ups, creative activities, and sparkly face and body art, all presented in a unique evening atmosphere.
Meet five enchanting mermaids, each with their own whimsical personality — from glamorous singing sirens to curious ocean scientists sharing songs, stories and playful ocean experiments with children.
A ticketed family event
This is a limited-capacity, ticketed after-hours experience, designed especially for families and primary-school-aged children looking for a magical evening event during the school holidays.
Friday 16 and Saturday 17 January, 4.30 – 6pm and 6 – 7.30pm
$35 General Admission, $30 Members
Beach Yoga
Start your morning with a peaceful yoga session in The Beach - our indoor space of faux sand and sea. Move, breathe, and unwind to a soothing soundscape of waves, laughter, and the occasional gull. It’s the perfect way to begin the day, restoring body and mind in a serene, sunlit setting. Please wear comfortable clothing and bring a yoga mat or towel.
Tuesday 20 and 27 January
8.30am – 9.30am
$10 General Admission
Beach Bods Life Drawing
This summer, Gladdy Drawing Club presents Beach Bods, a life-drawing session set within The Beach, the museum’s summer exhibition and playscape.
Work from posed beachgoers inspired by the photographic traditions of Max Dupain and Anne Zahalka, with a focus on form, posture and character. This session is suitable for beginners through to experienced artists and offers a structured but relaxed drawing environment.
All materials are provided.
Wednesday 7 and 14 January
10am – 11am
FREE – bookings required
A summer vacation at the museum this school holidays!
