Sensory Friendly Sundays At Australian National Maritime Museum

Sensory-Friendly Autumn Sessions at the Australian Maritime Museum offer a modified environment designed to suit people on the autism spectrum and with differing abilities. These sessions occur on Sundays throughout autumn.

During these events, visitors can enjoy early access to the Wildlife Photographer and Brickwrecks exhibitions from 8:30 am to 10 am and early access to the submarine HMAS Onslow from 9 am to 10:30 am. The exhibitions and activity areas will be modified to suit those with sensory differences, and trained staff and volunteers will be on hand to facilitate creative activities.

The Maritime Museum is proud to support the Sunflower initiative, a globally recognized symbol for non-visible disabilities. Staff wearing Sunflower badges have been trained to recognize the symbol and will provide assistance where they can. Visitors are encouraged to bring and wear their sunflower lanyard or pick one up for free upon arrival.
Admission to the Sensory-Friendly Autumn Sessions costs $12 per child or adult, with children under four and members admitted for free. Annual pass holders are also free. The sessions are recommended for those aged two years and over, and pre-booking is encouraged.

The day's program begins at 8:30 am, and guests are welcome to arrive at any time that suits their schedule. Visitors are advised to arrive in the first 60-90 minutes to ensure they have a chance to enjoy the museum before it gets busy. From 8:30 am, guests can create their own artworks and enjoy sensory science activities in the Kids on Deck activity space, with drop-in activities available until 3 pm.

Visitors can enjoy guided access with friendly staff in the museum galleries before 10:30 am and on selected vessels (with a minimum height requirement of 90cm for entry). Sound and light levels in the upper galleries have been modified to promote a more enjoyable experience up until 12 pm.

From 10 am to 12 pm, the museum's main doors open, and visitors can enjoy the galleries, take a trail, book a workshop, or enjoy a chill-out time in one of the quiet and sensory spaces. They can drop in on the Ocean Lab and enjoy water-based experiments facilitated by the museum's ocean science volunteers, explore the Cabinet of Curiosities, or discover what lies beneath the harbour's surface with an underwater drone session (ages seven and up).

Sensory-friendly access ends at 12 pm. However, visitors can stay and play until closing time, with all-day access to the museum and creative activities available until 3 pm. After the event, all attendees will receive a short survey to share their feedback on the Sensory-Friendly Autumn Sessions.

Where:     Australian National Maritime Museum 
When:       16 April, 14 May, and 18 June.                      
Cost         Adult/child: $12
                 Children under 4 and members: Free

Bookings recommended.

See the website for more details. 

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