Australia is a young country, just 215 years old, but over this time a strong cultural identity has developed. More than 40,000 years worth of Aboriginal culture and history, convict heritage and exploration of the 'Great Southern Land to the nation's involvement in war, its natural wonders, pop culture and prominence in food and wine are just some aspects that have shaped Australia today.
And it is through the nation's many cultural institutions that Australia's identity is showcased.
Here are ten of Australia's best museums:
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF
AUSTRALIA - CANBERRA, AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
This is Australia's newest cultural institution devoted to the stories of
Australia and Australians, exploring the key issues, events and people that
have shaped and influenced the nation. The architecture alone is reason enough
to visit with its contemporary design against the waters of Lake Burley Griffin.
NATIONAL WINE CENTRE
0F AUSTRALIA - ADELAIDE, SOUTH AUSTRALIA
The National Wine Centre of Australia in Adelaide showcases one of the country's
most renowned industries. The centre includes exhibitions, tastings, tours,
a wine education and training center, wine growers store, function rooms and
an acclaimed restaurant with outstanding views over a vineyard showing stages
of wine growing.
WESTERN AUSTRALIAN
MARITIME MUSEUM - FREMANTLE, WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Recently opened, the Western Australian Maritime Museum in Fremantle highlights
the state's fascinating maritime history. The museum's centrepiece is the
1983 America's Cup winning yacht Australia II. Other exhibitions showcase
human endeavour on the state's waters in naval defence, trade, fishing and
the movement of people, goods and cultures throughout the Indian Ocean region,
as well as the maritime traditions and cultures of local Aboriginal tribes.
POWERHOUSE MUSEUM
- SYDNEY, NEW SOUTH WALES
Located behind Sydney's Darling Harbour precinct in Pyrmont, the Powerhouse
Museum is one of Australia's leading science, technology and design museums
with emphasis on interactivity with exhibits. The museum has a mixture of
permanent and travelling exhibit space focusing on Australia's technological
past and the latest in world design.
MELBOURNE MUSEUM -
MELBOURNE, VICTORIA
Explore an Australian rainforest, see Australia's most famous race horse,
touch a dinosaur bone or even walk onto a set from Australia's popular soap
opera Neighbours. Situated in Carlton Gardens, next to the historic Royal
Exhibition Building, Melbourne Museum is an exciting and innovative attraction
which includes permanent and touring exhibitions, dynamic performances and
events, cafés, IMAX Theatre and gift shop.
REEF HQ - TOWNSVILLE,
QUEENSLAND
Get up close and personal with Queensland's greatest natural attraction, the
Great Barrier Reef. Reef HQ, in Townsville, is the official eduction centre
for the Reef which includes the world's largest living coral reef aquarium
and various interactive exhibits that showcase the animals and coral that
call the Great Barrier Reef home.
AUSTRALIAN AVIATION
HERITAGE CENTRE - DARWIN, NORTHERN TERRITORY
Explore the Top End of Australia's history in aviation, highlighting Darwin's
frontier role during World War II. See the museum's biggest attraction, the
enormous B52 Bomber and other aircraft including Mirage and Sabre jets, a
Spitfire replica and Huey Cobra helicopters.
QUEEN VICTORIA ART
GALLERY AND MUSEUM - INVERESK, TASMANIA
Discover Tasmania's varied history - Aboriginal heritage, colonial history
and contemporary themes and issues. In November 2001 the museum moved to its
new premises in the restored Inveresk Railyards in Launceston. Attractions
include Aspects of Tasmanian Art exhibit, Strings Across Time - Tasmanian
Aboriginal Shell Necklaces, Migration to Tasmania and the fascinating blacksmith
shop that has all the sounds of a working railway workshop.
THE AUSTRALIAN WAR
MEMORIAL - CANBERRA, ACT
The Australian War Memorial is regarded as one of the most impressive war
museums in the world and traces the history of Australia's fighting forces
during the two World Wars and other conflicts. Through its exhibition galleries,
the Australian War Memorial recounts a compelling part of national story.
Using film, sound, light and modern technology, the memorial offers a better
understanding of what it means to be an Australian.
SOVEREIGN HILL - BALLARAT,
VICTORIA
Step back in time and experience Australia's exciting gold rush days at Sovereign
Hill in Victoria's Goldfields region. Set on a former goldmining site, this
award winning outdoor museum recreates in fascinating detail the hustle and
bustle of life in the 1850s. At night, Sovereign Hill stages the spectacular
sound and light show Blood on the Southern Cross,which tells the story of
Australia's only civil uprising - the Eureka Rebellion of 1854.
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