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Best museum destinations in Oceania

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Melbourne
The heart of culture and coffee
8.7
A wall of water runs across the entrance to NGV International on St Kilda Road. The gallery was founded in 1861 and is Australia's oldest and most visited art museum. The collection has more than 76,000 works. A second site, the Ian Potter Centre, is at Federation Square in this city.
Highlights:
  • 🏏 Watch a match at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
  • 🌆 Admire city views from the Eureka Skydeck
  • 🎨 Explore the laneways full of vibrant street art and cafés
Canberra
A cultural hub surrounded by nature
7.4
Damming the Molonglo River formed Lake Burley Griffin in this city. The National Gallery of Australia, the National Library and Questacon are in the Parliamentary Triangle. The National Museum of Australia is on Acton Peninsula. The Australian War Memorial is at the foot of Mount Ainslie near Anzac Parade.
Highlights:
  • 🔬 Discover interactive science fun at Questacon
  • 🏛️ Explore the majestic Parliament House with guided tours
  • 🕯️ Visit the Australian War Memorial and attend Last Post ceremony
Wellington
Creative capital by wild seas
7.1
Te Papa opened in 1998 on reclaimed land at the water's edge of this city. Entry is free for New Zealanders. It has the world's largest specimen of the colossal squid, at 4.2 metres long. Its marae, a Māori meeting ground, has a meeting house called Te Hono ki Hawaiki.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Explore Zealandia urban ecosanctuary’s rare wildlife
  • 🚠 Ride the historic Wellington Cable Car for city views
  • 🏛️ Visit the interactive Museum of New Zealand Te Papa
Sydney
Where urban life meets stunning beaches
8.7
Across from Hyde Park in this city, at the corner of William and College Streets, is the Australian Museum. It was founded in 1827 and is the first public museum in Australia. The collection has over 21 million cultural and scientific objects. It was called the Colonial Museum before being renamed in 1836.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the golden sands of Bondi Beach
  • 🎭 Admire the Sydney Opera House from Circular Quay
  • 🌉 Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge for panoramic views
Auckland War Memorial Museum
Cultural Heart of Auckland City
Hotunui is a carved Māori meeting house built in 1878 and kept inside the museum. The building opened in 1929 on Observatory Hill in the Auckland Domain. Two Halls of Memory list soldiers from this region killed in 20th century conflicts. The collection has over 4.5 million objects.
Highlights:
  • 🦕 Examine dinosaur skeletons and natural history displays
  • 🎖️ Visit the War Memorial Hall for poignant exhibits
  • 🪓 Explore intricate Māori carvings in the Māori Court
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