All war museums to visit in Australia

Explore the history and impact of conflicts at 30 war museums in Australia. These museums offer insights into military history, strategies, and the human experiences of war.

Are you interested in military history? These are the must-visit war museums in Australia:

  1. Fremantle Prison1

    Fremantle Prison

     Fremantle
    Fremantle Prison is a significant historical site located in Fremantle, Western Australia. It served as a functioning prison from 1855 until 1991, playing a crucial role in the region's penal system. Today, it stands as a testament to Australia's colonial past and offers a unique insight into the country's criminal justice history.
  2. Sydney Jewish Museum2

    Sydney Jewish Museum

     Sydney
    The Sydney Jewish Museum is a history museum situated in the suburb of Darlinghurst in Sydney. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique opportunity to delve into the rich history and culture of the Jewish community in Australia.
  3. Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre3

    Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre

     Sydney
    The Royal Australian Navy Heritage Centre serves as the maritime museum of the Royal Australian Navy. It is conveniently located within the Public Access Area on the northern end of the Garden Island naval base in Sydney. This location allows visitors to easily access the museum and explore the rich history and heritage of the Australian Navy.
  4. Australian War Memorial4

    Australian War Memorial

     Canberra
    Located in Canberra, the capital of Australia, the Australian War Memorial houses the history of World War I and World War II. It provides a comprehensive overview of these significant periods in world history, making it a valuable destination for those interested in military history and the global impact of these wars.
  5. Moorabbin Air Museum5

    Moorabbin Air Museum

     Melbourne
    The Moorabbin Air Museum, located at Moorabbin Airport in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia, is an aviation museum that was established in 1962. Originally founded as the Australian Aircraft Restoration Group, its initial purpose was to preserve a World War II-era Bristol Beaufighter aircraft. Over the years, it has evolved into a museum with a substantial collection of aircraft.
  6. Aviation Heritage Museum6

    Aviation Heritage Museum

     Perth
    The Aviation Heritage Museum, located in Perth, Western Australia, is a unique establishment created and maintained by the RAAF Association of Western Australia. The museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing a wide range of military and civilian aircraft, aircraft replicas, and aircraft engines. These exhibits have either served in the Royal Australian Air Force or have relevance to aviation in Western Australia.
  7. Breakwater Battery Museum Port Kembla7

    Breakwater Battery Museum Port Kembla

     Wollongong
    The Breakwater Battery Museum is located at Port Kembla, New South Wales, Australia. It was originally a coastal defence battery during World War II. This historical site offers a glimpse into the past, showcasing the strategic importance of Port Kembla during the war.
  8. Hmas Castlemaine8

    Hmas Castlemaine

     Melbourne
    Launched in 1941 and commissioned in 1942, the HMAS Castlemaine served in the waters of Australia, New Guinea, and Timor during World War II. It remained in service until 1945, when it was decommissioned and converted into a static training ship. This historical vessel provides a unique insight into the naval operations of the time.
  9. Fleet Air Arm Museum9

    Fleet Air Arm Museum

     Nowra
    The Australian Fleet Air Arm Museum, previously known as Australia's Museum of Flight, is a military aerospace museum situated at the naval air station HMAS Albatross, in close proximity to Nowra, New South Wales. This museum is a significant destination for those interested in military aerospace history and the evolution of aviation in Australia.
  10. Boggo Road Gaol10

    Boggo Road Gaol

     Brisbane
    Boggo Road Gaol is the only remaining intact prison in Queensland that reflects the penological principles of the 19th century. This makes it a unique site for visitors interested in history and criminology, as it provides a tangible link to the past and a deeper understanding of the evolution of the penal system.
  11. Princess Royal Fortress11

    Princess Royal Fortress

     Albany
    The Princess Royal Fortress, also known as Albany Forts, is a historical site located on the northern shore of Atatürk entrance on Princess Royal Harbour on Mount Adelaide. It overlooks the beautiful King George Sound in Albany, Western Australia. Today, it operates as a museum, offering visitors a chance to delve into the past and learn about its rich history.
  12. Temora Aviation Museum12

    Temora Aviation Museum

     Temora
    The Temora Aviation Museum, located in Temora, New South Wales, is a significant Australian aviation museum. It was established in late 1999 and is based on the collection of warbird aircraft owned by David Lowy, who remains the President and Founder of the Museum. The Museum is overseen by a five-member Governing Committee.
  13. RAAF Museum13

    RAAF Museum

     Wagga Wagga City Council
    The RAAF Wagga Heritage Centre is an aviation museum located at the RAAF Base Wagga, situated on the Sturt Highway in Forest Hill, New South Wales. This location is easily accessible and offers a unique insight into the history of the Royal Australian Air Force.
  14. Tanks Arts Centre14

    Tanks Arts Centre

     Cairns
    The Tanks Arts Centre, located at Collins Avenue Edge Hill in Cairns, Queensland, Australia, is a heritage-listed former fuel depot from World War II. Built in 1943, it was added to the Queensland Heritage Register on 2 February 2007. The building now serves as a multi-use contemporary arts facility for the visual and performing arts.
  15. Darwin Aviation Museum15

    Darwin Aviation Museum

     Darwin
    The Darwin Aviation Museum, formerly known as the Australian Aviation Heritage Centre, is a significant location for aviation enthusiasts and history buffs. The museum showcases a variety of aircraft and aircraft engines that have played a crucial role in the Northern Territory and Australian aviation history. Visitors can explore the rich collection and gain insights into the evolution and impact of aviation in the region.
  16. Macarthur Museum16

    Macarthur Museum

     Brisbane
    MacArthur Chambers, located at 229 Queen Street in Brisbane, is a heritage-listed former office building. It was designed by Francis Richard Hall and constructed from 1931 to 1934 by George Alexander Stronach. This historical building is a significant part of Brisbane's architectural landscape.
  17. Fighter World17

    Fighter World

     Williamtown
    Fighter World is an aviation heritage centre located at the RAAF Base Williamtown, north of Newcastle, New South Wales. This Australian not-for-profit organization is dedicated to preserving the history of fighter operations of the RAAF. It's an ideal destination for those interested in aviation history and heritage.
  18. Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum18

    Wallaroo Heritage and Nautical Museum

     Wallaroo
  19. Hay Gaol Museum19

    Hay Gaol Museum

     Hay
    The Hay Gaol, located at 355 Church Street in Hay, New South Wales, Australia, is a heritage-listed site that once served as a prison and is now a museum. This historical site offers a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the evolution of the penal system in Australia from the late 19th century to the mid-20th century.
  20. Queensland Air Museum20

    Queensland Air Museum

     Caloundra
    The Queensland Air Museum is a community-owned aviation museum located at Caloundra Airport in Queensland, Australia. It operates as a not-for-profit organization, dedicated to the collection and preservation of aviation heritage, with a particular emphasis on Australia and Queensland. The museum boasts the largest collection of historical aircraft in Queensland, along with a vast collection of aircraft engines, equipment, artefacts, photographs, and books.
  21. Fort Scratchley21

    Fort Scratchley

     Newcastle
    Fort Scratchley, once a coastal defence installation, now serves as a museum. It is situated in Newcastle East, a suburb of Newcastle, New South Wales in Australia. This historical site offers visitors a glimpse into Australia's military past, with its origins dating back to 1882 when it was built to defend the city against a potential Russian attack.
  22. Albany Convict Gaol & Museum22

    Albany Convict Gaol & Museum

     Albany
    The Albany Convict Gaol, also known as the Old Gaol, is a significant historical site in Albany, Western Australia. This restored prison now operates as a museum, offering visitors a glimpse into the past. The gaol was established in 1852 and was used to house convicts transported to Albany as skilled labourers. Today, it stands as a testament to the region's history and offers a unique perspective on the lives of those who were incarcerated there.
  23. 23

    National Military Vehicle Museum

     Adelaide
    The National Military Vehicle Museum, established in 1993, is situated in Edinburgh, South Australia. This museum is a significant destination for those interested in military history and vehicles, offering a unique collection of privately owned vehicles that are maintained in running condition.
  24. The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum24

    The Australian Armour & Artillery Museum

     Cairns
    The Australian Armour and Artillery Museum, located in Cairns, Queensland, is a privately owned institution that showcases a vast collection of tanks, armoured vehicles, and artillery from the Second World War and post-war periods. It is a unique destination for those interested in military history, offering a comprehensive look at various military vehicles and artillery pieces from different countries and eras.
  25. Royal Australian Armoured Corps Memorial and Army Tank Museum25

    Royal Australian Armoured Corps Memorial and Army Tank Museum

     Puckapunyal
    The Royal Australian Armoured Corps Memorial and Army Tank Museum is situated in Puckapunyal, an Australian Army training facility and base. It is located 10 km west of Seymour, in the heart of Victoria, in the south-eastern part of Australia. This location makes it easily accessible for tourists visiting the region.
  26. Army Museum North Queensland26

    Army Museum North Queensland

     Townsville
    The Kissing Point Fortification is currently the home of the Army Museum of North Queensland. The fortification is situated on a rocky headland that separates Cleveland Bay and Rowes Bay at the northern end of The Strand in Townsville. The Jezzine Barracks complex, which is part of the fortification, extends approximately ten hectares to its south west.
  27. Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum27

    Lithgow Small Arms Factory Museum

     Lithgow
    The Lithgow Small Arms Factory, also known as Lithgow Arms, is a significant part of Australia's history. Established by the Australian Government in 1912, the factory is located in the town of Lithgow, New South Wales. It was created to reduce Australia's dependence on Britain for defence materials.
  28. Trial Bay Gaol28

    Trial Bay Gaol

     Arakoon
    Trial Bay Gaol, also known as Trial Bay Prison, is a former prison and internment camp located at Trial Bay near the town of South West Rocks in New South Wales. The prison was used to house convicts from 1866 to 1903 and during World War I from August 1915 to 1918 as an internment camp for German naval soldiers, German Australians, and Austrians. Today, it stands as a ruin in Arakoon National Park and is used as a museum.
  29. CNAPG Albury Australian Aviation Museums Display29

    CNAPG Albury Australian Aviation Museums Display

     Albury
  30. 30

    National Vietnam Veterans Museum

     Cape Woolamai
    The National Vietnam Veterans Museum is a significant war museum situated in Phillip Island, Victoria, Australia. It provides a comprehensive insight into the Vietnam War era through its vast collection of items and vehicles. The museum's location offers visitors the opportunity to combine a visit to the museum with other attractions on Phillip Island.