National Maritime Museum Review

If you ask us, there’s no better experience gift for a young kid, than a yearly membership to an awesome museum. With a rotation of amazing exhibits, along with plenty of kid-friendly activities and actuall real-life vessels you can jump on board and check out, it really is the gift that will keep on giving all year round. Check out our National Maritime Museum review.

Vessels

Let’s start with the highlight of this incredible museum, the vessels! Did you know you can actually hop on board many of them and check them out? No wonder kids want to keep coming back to this place.

There’s a number of permanent vessels, along with visiting ones. You can even check what’s coming soon to plan future trips.

The HMAS Onslow is a clear highlight, giving kids a chance to climb beneath the water and actually walk through a decommissioned submarine. Just be sure to duck! See where they slept, ate and operated the submarine and even have a look through the periscope.

The HMB Endeavour is an Australian-build replica of James Cook’s ship – and it’s pretty impressive. For kids, it’s just like jumping aboard a real pirate ship.

Exhibitions

Throughout the year, the National Maritime Museum plays host to a number of different exhibitions. This is why it’s so easy to head back time and time again.

In January 2023, it was home to Brickrecks, which showcased a unique combination of Ryan ‘The Brickman’ McNaught’s Lego models, plus real shipwreck objects, hands-on interactive and audio visual experiences and more. The kids had a blast making their way through and seeing all the Lego models, before having a go at building themselves.

It has also been home to the Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition, featuring over 100 exceptional images which capture fascinating animal behaviour, spectacular species and the breathtaking diversity of the natural world.

Kids

There’s also plenty of fun happening throughout the year for the kids.

Climb and play on board real-life tall ships, warships and a submarine.
Peek below the surface of the harbour on our waterfront. Explore exhibition spaces through interactive kids activity trails.
Take a creative guided tour of the exhibitions and enjoy themed play time with Mini Mariners, or Seaside Strollers for carers and bubs.
Play, discover, create and get your hands dirty with printmaking, sculpture or painting at Kids on Deck.

Gift of Membership

With a Membership or Annual Family Pass, you can enjoy exclusive benefits, including unlimited entry to the museum, their vessels and exhibitions and discounts on programs, retail, dining and more.

Membership: Individual $125 per year

Unlimited entry to the museum, vessels, and exhibitions
Discounted entry for museum programs and events, including Ocean Talks and Cruises
2 free guest passes per year to share with family and friends
20% off museum entry guests (up to four people)
Access to the Members’ Lounge with complimentary tea and coffee
Subscription to the museum’s quarterly journal, Signals
Invitations to special events and functions
Reciprocal benefits at other museums
Welcome tour of the museum
10% discount at the museum’s Store and Yots Cafe
10% discount on Venue hire
Use of reference and research facilities at the Library (by appointment)