Things to do in Australia, Australia: The Best History Museums

The Australian War Memorial combines a shrine, a world-class museum, and an extensive archive. The Memorial's purpose is to commemorate the sacrifice of those Australians who have died in war. Its mission is to assist Australians to remember, interpret and understand the Australian experience of war and its enduring impact on Australian society. The Memorial offers a range of guided tours, including a 1 hour highlights audio tour.

The Museum of Australia's oldest surviving and most decorated Regiment. Guided by a retired Lancer, discover the history of mainland Australia's oldest military barracks and its oldest and most decorated Regiment, the 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers. Hear about the wars in which it has fought and its glittering ceremonial history as Australia's Vice-Regal Escort. View the development of the Regiment's uniforms, equipment, means of communication on the battlefield, combat rations and weapons, from the days of horse and lance in the Boer War, through Gallipoli and Palestine as Light Horse in WW1, the tanks it used to mount Australia's largest ever armoured assault in WW2 to its role as armoured reconnaissance today. Inspect a rare example of the worlds first sub-machine gun, an even rarer example of the worlds first anti-tank weapon and, maybe, see the world from inside one of our heritage armoured fighting vehicles, most of which have been restored to full mobility.

The Royal Flying Doctor Service Darwin Tourist Facility is an exciting attraction on Stokes Hill Wharf that brings to life two iconic Australian stories. Both iconic stories are retold using state of the art technology including Virtual Reality headsets, hologram movies, audio-visuals and touch screen TVs as well as the fascinating story boards. The first story is the Royal Flying Doctor Service, affectionately known as the RFDS. Founded in 1928 by Reverend John Flynn, it began its aero-medical operations in the Northern Territory in 1939. The second story is the Bombing of Darwin on 19th February 1942. The bombing raids by the Japanese, brought destruction to the city of Darwin and many of the events that happened that day are featured. The RFDS Tourist Facility is a must see in Darwin for visitors of all ages and families to have an interesting learning experience about Darwin's history.

Here on display are the fabulous silo paintings done by Melbourne artist Cam Scale of a WWI Nurse, a modern Combat Medic and a Lighthorseman with his Steed. North Vic Trails is a Non Profit Community Group consisting of people from small towns. We are trying to help our rural regional towns suffering in the current climate especially after the drought and bushfires and now COVID 19 restrictions. Through promoting the silo art, other artworks and features for small town communities we hope to increase tourism to the northern regions of Victoria. So come visit us, stay for a bit and enjoy the many fabulous sights we have to offer.

A hidden treasure trove of one of the most diverse collections of local history. Toys, military items, kitchenware, and locomotives from the now defunct Moreton Central Sugar Mill are among the many interesting exhibits for you to view. Special displays are also regularly rotating in addition to the wonderful permanent exhibits.

Explore the history of Australian railways in this engaging museum. You will encounter numerous displays of various railway artifacts and see steam and diesel trains at work.

The Maritime Museum sits in South Australia's first heritage precinct. It presents exhibitions over three floors of an 1850s bond store, the South Neptune Lighthouse and the steam tug Yelta. The Museum is fresh and interactive and makes history relevant to a popular audience.