Plan your school visit

Timing your visit

The museum is open daily from 9.30am to 4.00pm. 

With so much to discover, we recommend at least 2 to 3 hours to explore the museum for self-led visits. Options for specific arrival or departure timing, breaks and facilitated programs are included in our online school booking form. The Booking Officer will use this information to build your visit itinerary and discuss your group's needs with you during the booking process.

When you arrive, please assemble students outside the museum entrance while your group organiser makes contact with staff at the front desk. They will confirm the numbers for your group, and discuss your itinerary and invoicing details, if required. We ask that you arrive 15 minutes ahead of any pre-booked experiences.

What's on

Supervision and group size

A school group is identified as having a minimum of 10 students (plus supervising teachers and adults). To ensure students enjoy the best possible learning experience, facilitated program sessions are capped at a maximum of 28 students.

We recommend that large self-led groups break into individual classes or smaller groups to rotate through exploration of the exhibition spaces.

Recommended adult to child supervision ratios are 1:3 for prep, 1:5 for primary and 1:10 for secondary.

Moving around the museum

• It is a requirement of entry that students are supervised at all times and that your group follows any instructions given by museum staff during your visit.
• Please ensure that students walk and don’t run inside the museum, avoid unnecessary use of the lift, and that other visitors are treated with respect.
• Please keep noise levels to a minimum as members of the general public will also be visiting.
• For facilitated program bookings, please take a moment to notify the Programming Officer of any specific behaviour management strategies used by your group (such as clapping or counting down for quieting the class).
• Most importantly, ask questions! The museum is a place for learning, curiosity, discovery and fun, so feel free to ask our helpful staff and volunteers any questions you have during your visit.

For more information about moving around the museum, view our map.

View map

Facilities and services

Schools Risk Assessment Guide
Download our Schools Risk Assessment Guide for detailed information about access, facilities, health and safety considerations relevant to your visit.

Cloaking and bag storage
A secure storage space is available for school groups needing to bring bags. A staff member will assist you with storage on arrival.

Please note the handling of personal items will be conducted by students and teachers. Museum staff will not handle any personal items. The museum takes no responsibility for any loss of valuables.

Toilets
Toilets are located in the museum foyer, near the lift and on Level 1 and to the right side of the Galley Café.

Lunch and catering
Schools are welcome to bring lunch or refreshments to enjoy on the Waterside Terrace, a grassed area overlooking Ross Creek, near the museum entrance.

Catering is also available; simply indicate your interest in catering options when submitting your booking form.

No food or drink is to be consumed in the museum, unless you have specific medical needs.

Visitors with individual needs
The museum has a lift, accessible toilet facilities and ramp access for wheelchairs. A manual wheelchair is available to borrow on request. For further accessibility information, see information for visitors with individual needs.

Our Programming Officer will be happy to discuss individual needs or support for your group; simply make note of these requirements in your booking request.