Exhibitions

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

  • Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize 2018

    Louise Feneley, Bouquet – natura morte, oil on Belgian linen

    Let the beautiful and profound artworks from the Waterhouse Natural Science Art Prize take you on an inspiring exploration of our natural environment.

    A travelling exhibition developed by the South Australian Museum.

    23 August 2018 to 14 October 2018

    Old Parliament House
    18 King George Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Spy: Espionage in Australia

    Lydia Janovska at Mascot Airport, Sydney, 1960. NAA: A6122, 1756
    Lydia Janovska at Mascot Airport, Sydney, 1960. (NAA: A6122, 1756)

    Often cloaked in myth, the stories of spies are sometimes stranger than fiction.

    Spy: Espionage in Australia reveals the personal experiences of secret agents and the curious history of espionage and counter-espionage in Australia, from Federation through to the present day.

    Exhibition development supported by the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation, the Australian Government’s Visions of Australia and National Collecting Institutions Touring and Outreach Program.

    31 May 2018 to 12 August 2018

    Museum of the Riverina
    Historic Council Chambers Site
    243 Baylis St
    Wagga Wagga NSW 2650

  • 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 December 2018

    Old Parliament House
    18 King George Terrace
    Parkes ACT 2600

  • Without Consent: Australia's past adoption practices

    A crèche at a large maternity hospital, 1954
    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 6 February 2019

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

    Tour schedule

    Opens:
    20 April 2018
    Closes:
    28 July 2018
    Location:
    Qantas Founders Museum
    Sir Hudson Fysh Drive
    Longreach QLD 4730
    Opens:
    7 December 2018
    Closes:
    6 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.

    7 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:
    7 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
Copyright National Archives of Australia 2018