Exhibitions

View exhibitions and displays currently showing at the National Archives in Canberra and venues around Australia. Find out more about our past exhibitions.

  • Smalltown

    read caption for description
    Martin Mischkulnig, Salt Pan, Lochiel, South Australia, 2005

    See small-town Australia in large-format photographs

    Smalltown is an exhibition of stunning large-format photographs by photographer Martin Mischkulnig that show a stark side of remote Australia.

    Smalltown will close earlier than expected. Don’t miss it!

    More information about the Smalltown exhibition Hyperlink logo

    2 December 2011 to 12 February 2012

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience

    refer caption
    Sledging practice, Cape Denison, Australasian Antarctic Expedition 1912. Photographer: Frank Hurley. (NAA: M584, 12)

    Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience celebrates the centenary of the Australasian Antarctic Expedition led by Douglas Mawson in 1911–14 and charts Australian involvement in, and fascination with, Antarctica up to the present day.

    On show soon in Canberra!

    More information about the Traversing Antarctica: the Australian experience exhibition Hyperlink logo

    2 December 2011 to 26 February 2012

    Tasmanian Museum and Art Gallery
    5 Argyle Street
    Hobart TAS 7000

    Tour schedule

    Opens:
    23 March 2012
    Closes:
    9 September 2012
    Location:

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Out of the Cabinet

    Cabinet submission with original words for Advance Australia Fair

    A page from a 1982 Cabinet submission concerning the official words for Australia's national anthem.

    (NAA: A12909, 5271)

    Get a different take on Cabinet records! In this changing corridor display journalist Ian Warden highlights particular Cabinet documents that captured his imagination and provides insightful comments.

    More information about the Out of the Cabinet exhibition Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Max Dupain on Assignment

    Photograph by Max Dupain - silhouette of a young violinist rehearsing at the Methodist Ladies' College in Burwood, Sydney, 1971
    Violinist at the Methodist Ladies' College in Burwood, Sydney, 1971 (NAA: B4498, 28E7)

    Max Dupain on Assignment features striking images of rural and urban Australia, architecture, industry and culture from the 1940s to the 1970s. Many have never been on public display.

    More information about the Max Dupain on Assignment exhibition Hyperlink logo

    4 February 2011 to 15 April 2012

    Warrnambool Art Gallery
    26 Leibig Street
    Warrnambool VIC 3280

    Tour schedule

    Opens:
    26 April 2012
    Closes:
    3 June 2012
    Location:
    Burnie Regional Art Gallery
    77–79 Wilmot Street
    Burnie TAS 7320
    Opens:
    6 July 2012
    Closes:
    30 September 2012
    Location:
    Western Australian Museum – Albany
    Residency Road
    Albany WA 6330
    Opens:
    12 October 2012
    Closes:
    6 January 2013
    Location:
    Western Australian Museum – Kalgoorlie–Boulder
    17 Hannan Street
    Kalgoorlie WA 6430
    Opens:
    18 January 2013
    Closes:
    31 March 2013
    Location:
    Western Australian Museum – Geraldton
    1 Museum Place
    Batavia Coast Marina
    Geraldton WA 6530

  • Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice

    Photograph showing the original grave and marker of Private John Henderson in Belgium
    Original grave and marker (NAA: B2455, Henderson J 2383)

    Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice explores how the nation dealt with the lingering effects of World War I over the next 20 years.

    More information about the Shell-shocked: Australia after Armistice exhibition Hyperlink logo

    30 March 2012 to 20 May 2012

    Grafton Regional Gallery
    158 Fitzroy Street
    Grafton NSW 2460

    Tour schedule

    Opens:
    8 June 2012
    Closes:
    23 July 2012
    Location:
    Cowra Regional Art Gallery
    77 Darling Street
    Cowra NSW 2794
    Opens:
    13 September 2012
    Closes:
    28 October 2012
    Location:
    Gladstone Regional Art Gallery & Museum
    Cnr. Goondoon & Bramston St
    Gladstone QLD 4680
    Opens:
    7 November 2012
    Closes:
    6 January 2013
    Location:
    Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
    1 Barolin St
    Bundaberg QLD 4670
    Opens:
    1 February 2013
    Closes:
    23 March 2013
    Location:
    Hervey Bay Regional Gallery
    161 Old Maryborourgh Rd
    Pialba QLD 4655
    Opens:
    4 April 2013
    Closes:
    28 July 2013
    Location:
    Museum of Tropical Queensland
    70-102 Flinders Street
    Townsville QLD 4810
    Opens:
    10 August 2013
    Closes:
    9 February 2014
    Location:
    Queensland Museum
    Cnr. Grey and Melbourne St
    South Bank
    South Brisbane QLD 4101

  • Strike a Pose ... with Lee Lin Chin

    A Pierre Cardin fashion parade at the Canberra Theatre Centre, 1967
    A Pierre Cardin fashion parade at the Canberra Theatre Centre, 1967 (NAA: A1500, K17370)

    See photographs of Australian fashion from the 1960s and 70s with commentary by fashionista Lee Lin Chin.

    More information about the Strike a Pose ... with Lee Lin Chin exhibition Hyperlink logo

    18 April 2012 to 8 July 2012

    Bundaberg Regional Art Gallery
    1 Barolin Street
    Bundaberg QLD 4670

  • Memory of a Nation

    Students from Launceston Church Grammar School explore Memory of a Nation at the National Archives in Canberra

    Discover the events and the people – both ordinary and extraordinary – who have shaped this nation. Regularly updated to include new exhibits and interactives.

    More information about the Memory of a Nation exhibition Hyperlink logo

    On permanent display

    Open daily from 9am to 5pm (except Christmas and Good Friday)

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950–1970

    The three winners of the 1952 Miss Pacific Pageant.
    The three winners of the 1952 Miss Pacific Pageant pose on Sydney's Bondi Beach (NAA: A1500, K1220)

    The National Archives' photographic exhibition Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950–1970 vividly reminds us of our enduring love affair with the sun and the sea.

    More information about the Summers Past: Golden Days in the Sun 1950–1970 exhibition Hyperlink logo

    10 November 2011 to 29 April 2012

    Public Record Office Victoria
    99 Shiel St
    North Melbourne VIC 3051

  • On Patrol in Papua New Guinea

    Dental patrol, Papua New Guinea, 1948 (detail) (NAA: A1200, L9715)

    In 1975, Papua New Guinea celebrated independence from Australia. To mark the 35th anniversary, and our shared history, the National Archives has developed on-site and online displays, highlighting the work of Australian patrol officers (Kiaps) in Papua New Guinea.

    More information about the On Patrol in Papua New Guinea exhibition Hyperlink logo

    19 October 2010 to 31 August 2012

    National Archives of Australia
    Queen Victoria Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600


  • No exhibitions listed for this state now but check in future. Our exhibitions visit all states and territories.


  • No exhibitions listed for this state now but check in future. Our exhibitions visit all states and territories.


  • No exhibitions listed for this state now but check in future. Our exhibitions visit all states and territories.

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Copyright National Archives of Australia 2012