The National Maritime Collection represents Australians' diverse experiences and perceptions of the sea and our waterways. One of Australia's most recent major collections, commenced only in 1986, it comprises over 100,000 objects and archive items. We are making more object records available through this web site as they are catalogued fully.

The museum's Collection Development Policy Updated (2007) guides us in the acquisition of relevant maritime material, and its intellectual and physical care. Particular emphasis is given to social history. We aim to build a collection that represents the breadth of Australia's maritime heritage, rather than one that is comprehensive in all areas, and to complement the many excellent State and regional maritime museums and their collections which are a rich repository of Australia's maritime history.

The Collection Development Policy identifies ten collection focus areas that we consider the most relevant for our visitors.

Download the Australian National Maritime Museum Loans Policy (2006).

You can view a selection of objects from these collecting areas, collection highlights or a list of recent acquisitions to the National Maritime Collection.

To compile and manage a list of your own favorite objects please sign on.