Touring exhibitions

Our expert museum team of curators, designers and educators have been creating and building touring exhibits for over 20 years.

Learn more about hiring one of our exhibitions or displays for your community.

These exhibits are specifically designed to share the museum experience with communities and organisations around Australia and internationally. We tour panel displays, exhibitions and artworks featuring objects from the National Maritime Collection, and interactive exhibitions. Some of the fascinating topics explored include ocean science and innovation, maritime archaeology, art history, Indigenous cultural history, immigration and naval history.

Whether you have a small space or a larger venue, our touring exhibitions are suitable for community groups and cultural institutions.  

Timings and availability

Due to popular demand, some larger exhibits may be booked out 2-3 years in advance, so we recommend enquiring with us about availability early in your planning. Smaller displays can often be booked at short notice, though - just ask! Please be aware that there may be additional security and environmental requirements for some exhibitions.  

For more information or to enquire about hosting one of the exhibitions or displays listed below, please email: touringexhibitions@sea.museum 

Mariw Minaral (Spiritual Patterns)

200sqm of floor space and 65 running metres of wall space

Mariw Minaral brings together some of the finest examples of Zendah Kes (Torres Strait Islands) artist Alick Tipoti’s intricate linocut printmaking practice and award-winning sculptural works. Guided by the traditional cultural practices of his people, Tipoti’s storytelling encompasses traditional cosmology, marine environments and ocean conservation – focusing on what it means to be a sea person.

Cats & dogs - all at sea

10 running metres of wall space

Cats and dogs have been cherished on board ships for as long as people have made sea voyages. In a life from which children and families are usually missing, and are often very much missed, pets provide a focus for emotions and affection.

Black and white photo of a sailor with pet cats

Capturing the Home Front - Life at home in a world at war

50 running metres of wall space

An exhibition that pulls back the curtain and shines a light on life at home in WWII as captured by famous American photo journalist Dorothea Lange, and Australian photographers Samuel Hood, William Cranstone, Hedley Keith Cullen and Jim Fitzpatrick.

BIDHIINJA

The plight of oyster reefs has been nearly invisible. The NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and the Australian National Maritime Museum have joined forces to share the stories of these reefs and DPI’s efforts with project partners to restore them. Please contact touringexhibitions@sea.museum to find out more.

Two freestanding exhibition boards, featuring an artwork depicting multiple layers of blue, white and purple curved lines.

Brickwrecks

450 sqm

Discover these stories of extraordinary shipwrecks, revealed in incredible LEGO® model detail. This new exhibition is developed and designed by the Western Australian Museum in partnership with the Australian National Maritime Museum. Please contact us to find out more about hosting the exhibition at your venue from July 2023 onwards.

Mission X

Banner Show (10 Banners)

In 1942 a ragtag flotilla of Australian freighters, fishing trawlers, tugs, ketches, schooners and launches was assembled to sail under the American flag. As Mission X of the US Army Small Ships Section they plied deadly waters from Queensland to Papua New Guinea and beyond, being bombed and strafed, hiding by day, landing troops and supplies by night. Contact touringexhibitions@sea.museum for more.