Adrift: journey of a plankton
This small graphic installation was part of the Adrift project (www.adrift-project.com), which encourages citizen scientists to map where marine microbes experience the largest variation in their environment. Adrift is a collaborative project developed by the University of Technology Sydney’s Climate Change Cluster (C3), Faculty of Science and Data Poetics, Faculty of Design, Architecture and Building together with the Centre for Science Communication at the University of Otago, New Zealand.

South Gallery, 19 August–7 October 2018

Anzacs in Greece: Then and Now – photographic exhibition by Cheryl Ward
This series of ten composite photographs reflected on the Greek campaign and the Battle of Crete, fought by Anzacs during World War II. Using period photographs overlaying her own images, artist Cheryl Ward turned back the clock 75 years, returning Anzacs to the Acropolis and German paratroopers to the skies of Crete.

The Lookout, 18 April 2016–21 September 2018

Aquatic Imaginarium
Indoor play and discovery space where children encountered a wonderland of giant inflatables, evocative sensory installations, object storytelling and hands-on art-making activities.

North Gallery, 26 December 2018–2 February 2019

The Beast
The ocean is home to myriad predators of all shapes and sizes, but nothing poses a greater threat to our environment than single-use plastics. To bring to life this frightening fact, HP Australia created The Beast. Made from 2,400 recycled plastic bottles, it weighed 200 kilograms and towered almost four metres high.

Museum forecourt, 15 October–2 November 2018

Clash of the Carriers: The Battle of the Coral Sea
This film and pop-up banner display told the story of three navies, four aircraft carriers, 255 aircraft and 76 ships in a four-day battle that changed naval warfare forever.

Action Stations, from 6 May 2017 (ongoing)

Container: the box that changed the world
The museum’s first-ever outdoor exhibition was dedicated entirely to the history and impact of the humble shipping container. Housed in six specially adapted shipping containers, the exhibition went beyond the corrugated steel to reveal the fascinating story of this revolutionary maritime invention.

Museum entrance and Wharf 7 forecourt, 25 October 2017–1 October 2018

The Daring Ship
Marking the 55th anniversary of the loss of the Daring class destroyer HMAS Voyager and 82 of those aboard in a collision with the aircraft carrier HMAS Melbourne on the night of 10 February 1964.

Tasman Light Gallery, 8 February–23 June 2019

Dark Victory: Operation Jaywick
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of Operation Jaywick, the museum collaborated with the National Museum of Singapore to produce a wide-screen film about this daring commando raid and a virtual reality experience that will take people ‘on board’ the historic MV Krait.

Action Stations, from 27 September 2018

Gapu-Monuk Saltwater – Journey to Sea Country
This exhibition told the powerful story of the Yolŋu people of north-east Arnhem Land, their fight for recognition of Indigenous sea rights and the Blue Mud Bay legal case.

Tall Gallery, 8 November 2017–17 February 2019

The home front: World War II
In 2018, secondary students participating in the museum’s ‘War and Peace in the Pacific 75’ program investigated the home front, examining how civilians lived in a world at war and contributed to the war effort. Each school’s research was compiled to form a banner exhibition that was shown at the museum, then will travel in Australia and to the USA and Japan.

Terrace Room, November 2018

James Cameron – Challenging the Deep
A major new immersive exhibition that traced Cameron’s lifelong pursuit of and achievements in deep-ocean science, technology and exploration, including his record-breaking dives in DEEPSEA CHALLENGER, the submersible vessel he designed and that was built in Sydney.

North Gallery, 29 May 2018–5 May 2019

On Sharks & Humanity
A thought-provoking contemporary art exhibition about shark protection that showcased work from some of China’s leading contemporary artists alongside that of artists from Germany, Singapore and the United States. It draws attention to threats to shark populations and is informed by the work of international NGO WildAid.

Museum wharves, South Gallery and Lower Gallery, 1 November 2018–2 June 2019

Out of Hawaii – surfing goes global
In 1961 a group of 20 Australian surfers flocked to Hawaii for its huge waves and the famed Makaha surfing contest. Among them was a young Bernard ‘Midget’ Farrelly.

Tall Gallery, from 14 June 2017 (ongoing)

Remembering Skaubryn
The Norwegian liner Skaubryn was the only vessel lost at sea during the era of post-war migration to Australia, when it caught fire and sank in the Indian Ocean in 1958. On the 60th anniversary of the Skaubryn disaster, this small photographic display captured the dramatic fire and rescue.

Tasman Light Gallery and South Gallery, 27 March–31 October 2018

RSV Nuyina LEGO model
A LEGO model of Australia’s new icebreaker, RSV Nuyina, which will make its maiden voyage to Antarctica in 2020–21.

Foyer and South Gallery, 11 April–2 August 2019

SubAcqueous
Film installation curated by Dr Caitilin de Bérigny and made by Colombian artist Sylvana Alferez and 16 students from the Bachelor of Design Computing at Sydney University. The films featured interviews by leading environmentalists, scientists and academics working to help preserve our oceans.

Theatrette, 7 March–6 April 2019

Unbroken lines of resilience: feathers, fibres, shells
The 2018 NAIDOC Week theme, ’Because of her, we can!’, celebrates the invaluable contributions that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women have made – and continue to make – to our communities, families and nation. Their contribution is reflected in this exhibition.

Tasman Light Gallery, 8 July 2018–30 Jan 2019

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 53 (2017)
On loan from the Natural History Museum in London, this world-renowned exhibition showcased 100 awe-inspiring photographs. Images are chosen for their artistic composition, technical innovation and truthful interpretation of the natural world.

Tall Gallery, 13 April–14 October 2018

Wildlife Photographer of the Year 54 (2018)
An exhibition of the winning images, selected by an international jury. On loan from the Natural History Museum, London.

North Gallery, 7 March–25 August 2019

Women of the River Country
The stories of 19 women from the mid-1800s to the present day, all of whom have connections to the magnificent riverscape of the Murray Darling Basin – home to Australia’s three longest rivers, the Murray, Darling and Murrumbidgee. Developed by the volunteers and staff of the Mannum Dock Museum, SA.

Wharf 7 foyer and Vaughan Evans Library, 20 June–16 April 2019