I’m visiting the Abbey Museum of Art & Archaeology!

The Abbey Museum displays historical objects and artefacts from around the world. Some items on display are thousands of years old!

Entry into the Museum is through wide automatic doors. In the Museum Foyer I will see:

• The Abbey Museum Cafe
• The Visitor Information Desk
• The Abbey Museum Shop

To explore the Abbey Museum, I will buy a ticket at the Visitor Information Desk or I can book a ticket online from the Museum website. If I have any questions while I am at the Museum, I can ask the friendly staff.

The exhibitions at the Abbey Museum are step free and are accessible for wheelchairs, mobility aids and scooters. If I would like a paper map of the Museum, I can ask the staff at the Visitor Information Desk.

Entry into the Museum is to the right of the Visitor Information Desk. At the beginning of the exhibition, I can watch a video with subtitles about the history of the Abbey Museum and the collection.

I can see prehistoric stone and bone tools, pottery, glass, stained glass, metalwork, weaponry, coins, sculptures, carvings, paintings and rare books.

I can see artefacts from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Israel, Persia, Greece, the Etruscans, ancient Cyprus and collections from across Europe, South East Asia, China, Japan and India.

The Museum also has an amazing collection of historical and rare paintings. In 2025, the Abbey Museum opened an exciting new exhibition called Inspired Images: The Art of Faiths.

I can find the entry to the exhibition to the left of the Abbey Museum Cafe. If I would like to go inside, I will ask the staff at the Visitor Information Desk who will open the door.

The paintings and artefacts on display in the Museum are very fragile, so it is important that I do not touch the artworks or display cases. However, there are calm interactive activities in the exhibition that I can enjoy.

To help keep the Museum collection safe, I will not bring food or drink inside the exhibitions. If I would like something to eat, I can take a break at the Abbey Museum Cafe.

A menu can be found in advance on the ‘Café’ page of the website. Menus can also be read on the screen on the wall or I can request a copy to browse. I can expect loud coffee machine and blender noises. The seats closest to the windows are under the airconditioner and may be colder or warmer than usual.

I can also find unisex ambulant and accessible toilets to the left of the Abbey Museum Cafe.

If I need a quiet break, I am welcome to enjoy the gardens outside the Museum. I can also borrow a pair of ear defenders from the Visitor Information Desk.

If I would like to take a memory of the Museum home with me, I can explore the Abbey Museum Shop before I leave.

I can buy t-shirts, books, jewellery, souvenirs, collectables and games. The Abbey Museum staff can help me with with my purchase.

The Abbey Museum also hosts exciting historical events throughout the year, including the Abbey Medieval Festival. I can find out more about upcoming events from the Abbey Museum website.

Opening Hours The Abbey Museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm.

The Abbey Cafe is open 10am – 2pm on Monday to Fridays.

The Museum and Cafe is open all school and public holidays except Good Friday, Christmas Day, Boxing Day and Anzac Day morning.

Companion Cards Admission into the Abbey Museum is free to those supporting someone with a valid Companion Card. Please have the Companion Card with you to show our staff at the Visitor Information desk before you enter the Museum.

Sensory Considerations The Abbey Museum and Art Gallery does not include any high sensory displays, such as loud audio, video projections or flashing lighting. However, we facilitate popular education programs and often have school groups visiting us throughout the week. Some elements of our education programs include loud sounds, such as musical instruments, chanting and cheering that may be heard within the gallery.

The quietest time to visit the Museum is usually weekdays between 2pm – 4pm and Saturdays.

Guide, Hearing & Service Animals The Abbey Museum welcomes all certified guide, hearing and assistance animals! We also have plenty of grassed areas around the museum for toileting. For the safety of our artworks and artefacts, pets are not permitted. 

Resource developed by In Quiet Company