The Australian Museum Is Set to Close for a $57.5 Million Revamp

Sydney's museum scene is undergoing a significant shake-up. First, the New South Wales Government announced that it's moving the Powerhouse Museum to Parramatta. Now, it has revealed that Australian Museum will take a 12-month hiatus.

The popular William Street site will close from Monday, August 19, with a $57.5 million makeover on the cards. The revamp is part of the facility's huge renovation, called Project Discover, which'll add a new touring hall as well as new education spaces. When it's complete, the museum will boast 1500 square metres in exhibition space across two levels — meaning that it can play host to a massive major showcase across the entire multi-floor space, or house two exhibitions at the same time.

With Tutankhamun: Treasures of the Golden Pharaoh due to open in February 2021, Australian Museum will certainly make good use of the extra facilities. Heading to Australia for the first time, it'll feature more than 150 objects from the ancient boy king's tomb as part of the world's largest Tutankhamun exhibition outside of Egypt. Included in that tally are 60 objects that have never before left their homeland.

As well as an increase in exhibition space, Australian Museum will also gain new education facilities, a new museum shop and a second cafe — plus an expanded Members' Lounge, cloaking and new amenities. Its current community and school outreach programs will continue during the temporary shutdown.

With the museum's public spaces closing until around August 2020, its usual August exhibition will find another home for this year. Fans of the annual Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year will find it at the Powerhouse Museum from Friday, August 16, and it'll be free to attend with a general admission ticket to the museum.

The Australian Museum will close on Monday, August 19, re-opening approximately 12 months later. For further details, visit the Project Discover website.