National Museum of Australia

The National Museum opened in 2001 on the Acton Peninsula in a building that argues with itself: bright colours, twisting forms and a giant looping sculpture at the entrance, designed to reject the idea of a solemn national temple. Inside, the collections cover Australian social and environmental history through objects rather than grand narrative, including one of the world's most significant collections of Aboriginal bark paintings and stone tools, the Holden prototype, convict relics, the heart of the racehorse Phar Lap and material from immigration, sport and protest. The First Australians gallery presents Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history with community input. General entry is free.

What you actually see

• The bark painting collection - among the most significant holdings anywhere.
• The First Australians gallery - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander history.
• The object collection - the first Holden, Phar Lap's heart and social history material.
• The building itself - the deliberately unconventional lakeside architecture.

When to go

Year-round; the museum is indoors and free, opening daily except Christmas Day. Special exhibitions are ticketed and can be busy. School holidays bring family programmes and crowds.

Honest expectations

The building's layout confuses many visitors, and the thematic approach can feel scattered compared with a chronological museum. The site is a short drive or bus ride from the city centre. Major exhibitions charge separately.

Nearby

The Australian National University is adjacent; the lake path runs past the peninsula.