Exhibitions

View exhibitions and displays currently showing at the National Archives in Canberra and venues around Australia. Find out more about our past exhibitions.

1918: A different life

Australia was forever changed by the Armistice of 11 November 1918.

1918: A different life presents a new perspective on how Australians, both serving and civilian, found opportunities to rebuild their lives after the war. Immerse yourself in stories of resilience, courage, resourcefulness and ambition.

Online only

Charters of our Nation

Royal Commission of Assent, 9 July 1900 (detail). (NAA: A5137,1)

See facsimiles of some of Australia’s most significant records – those that record the events leading to Federation and the founding of the Commonwealth of Australia.

16 October 2017 to 1 September 2019

Old Parliament House
18 King George Terrace
Parkes ACT 2600

A Ticket to Paradise?

Brian Jonmundsson and his wife Visitacion arrive in Sydney, 1963. (NAA: A12111, 1/1963/4/41)

Delve into the rich diversity and experiences of post-World War II migrants, and look at promotional campaigns presenting a utopian view of Australia as a welcoming country full of opportunity.

This exhibition tour is supported by the Department of Home Affairs.

Exhibition development was supported by the Department of Communications and the Arts through Visions of Australia and the National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program.

1 December 2018 to 24 February 2019

Western Australian Museum – Albany
Residency Road
Albany WA 6330

Tour schedule

Opens:: 1 December 2018
Closes:: 24 February 2019
Location:: Western Australian Museum – Albany
Residency Road
Albany WA 6330

Opens:: 8 March 2019
Closes:: 19 May 2019
Location:: Western Australian Maritime Museum
Victoria Quay
Fremantle WA 6160

Without Consent: Australia's past adoption practices

A crèche at a large maternity hospital, 1954
(NAA: A1200, L15678)

Moving experiences of heartbreak and resilience, shared by people affected by Australia's past adoption practices.

Visit the Forced Adoptions website to learn more about the effects on mothers, fathers, adopted persons, and others within the family. The website was created by the National Archives of Australia to increase awareness and understanding of forced adoptions. It provides access to research, records and resources, and an opportunity for those affected to contribute their own experiences of forced adoption.

This project has been assisted by the Department of Social Services.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program.

7 December 2018 to 3 February 2019

Hervey Bay Regional Gallery
166 Old Maryborough Rd
Hervey Bay QLD 4655

Tour schedule

Opens:: 7 December 2018
Closes:: 3 February 2019
Location:: Hervey Bay Regional Gallery
166 Old Maryborough Rd
Hervey Bay QLD 4655

A Place to Call Home? Migrant hostel memories

Scheyville Migrant Centre. (NAA: A12111, 2/1957/22A/37)

Nissen huts, boiled mutton, bottled milk and helping hands.

Rekindle memories with vivid photographs of life in Australia's migrant hostels.

This project has been assisted by the Australian Government's Visions of Australia program.

9 November 2018 to 21 December 2018

Alfred Deakin Prime Ministerial Library
Deakin University Waterfront Campus
Cnr Western Beach Rd and Cunningham St
Geelong VIC 3220

Tour schedule

Opens:: 9 November 2018
Closes:: 21 December 2018
Location:: Alfred Deakin Prime Ministerial Library
Deakin University Waterfront Campus
Cnr Western Beach Rd and Cunningham St
Geelong VIC 3220