Museums & Discovery Centres
Here are some of the many places you can visit around Australia to have a great science experience at anytime of the year. They include science centres and museums, zoos and aquariums, botanic gardens, space centres, national parks and park visitor centres, observatories, industry and mine visits and eco tours.
Adelaide Botanic Garden
Adelaide, SA
Botanic gardens have shaped civilisation using the value of plants and provide insights into the natural world. Beginning a place for growing plants for medicinal use, botanic gardens evolved to become scientific and collections based institutions where plants were classified and an understanding of their purpose was discovered. At the Adelaide Botanic Garden, discover the... Read More
Adelaide Desalination Plant
Lonsdale, SA
The Kauwi Interpretive Centre nxt to the desalination plant has displays about desalination as well as the story of water in South Australia. The Adelaide Desalination Plant opened in 2013 and can provide half of Adelaide’s water supply. The plant uses reverse osmosis to produce fresh drinking water from seawater. Plant tours last for 1.5... Read More
Albert Kersten Mining and Minerals Museum
Broken Hill, NSW
The Museum is housed in the Old Bond Store, and the minerals on display were collected in the local area. The collection of over 200 mineral samples includes a 42 kg silver nugget. Also on display is the Silver Tree, an 8 kg silver epergne (table centrepiece) owned by Charles Rasp, who held the first mining lease at Broken Hill.... Read More
Alice Springs Desert Park
Alice Springs, NT
Discover the secrets of the desert in the foothills of the MacDonnell Ranges. See and hear the stories of the plants, animals, and local Aboriginal culture at daily guide presentations. Witness free-flying birds, see rare and endangered animals and enjoy a cinematic journey of desert evolution. Discover the West MacDonnell Ranges through the eyes of... Read More
Andamooka Observatory
Andamooka, SA
Experience the truly dark skies of the Australian outback from the Andamooka Observatory. Astrophotography workshops are available and there is an onsite bookshop. Andamooka is an opal mining settlement 30 km east of Roxby Downs in northern South Australia. The observatory is open from 5.30 – 9.30 pm Thursday and Friday, and 10am – 1pm Saturday.... Read More
Arid Recovery Reserve
Olympic Dam, SA
Arid Recovery is an ecosystem restoration initiative based in the South Australian outback and dedicated to the restoration of Australia’s arid lands. Established in 1997, the program is centred around a 123 km² fenced reserve. Feral cats, rabbits and foxes have been eradicated from a total of 60 km² and this has provided an area of complete... Read More
Australia Telescope Compact Array
Narrabri, NSW
There is an unstaffed visitors centre at the facility, with displays and videos explaining how the telescopes work and radio astronomy more generally. Outside there are a pair of large whispering dishes and there explanatory signs around the grounds. Visitors can see at least some of the six 22 m dish shaped radio telescopes making up... Read More
Australia Zoo
Beerwah, QLD
Australia Zoo, home of the Crocodile Hunter, is located on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland. As well as lots of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) the Zoo has over 100 species of animals from all over the world. Each day there are shows performed around the Zoo as well as in the Crocoseum, a 5000 seat arena with clear water... Read More
Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens
Port Augusta, SA
Located between the Stuart Highway and the upper reaches of Spencer Gulf, the Australian Arid Lands Botanic Gardens’ collection is sourced from areas including far western NSW, the Nullarbor and Great Victoria Desert. There are more than 12 km of walking tracks through the Gardens, ranging from short easy strolls to a 4.5km walk to the... Read More
Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan
Mount Annan, NSW
The Australian Botanic Garden at Mount Annan is a native botanic garden and is the nation’s largest botanic garden. The garden incorporates a scientific conservation facility called PlantBank which houses Australia’s largest native seed bank. Photo: Royal Botanic Gardens & Domain TrustLoading map...
