The major exhibition was announced today by Deputy Premier and Minister for the Arts Troy Grant and the Minister for Trade, Tourism and Major Events Stuart Ayres.

Mr Grant said Trailblazers was an exciting new exhibition championed by the Australian Museum’s Executive Director and CEO Kim McKay.

“The recent opening of the Australian Museum’s new Crystal Hall visitor entrance, new galleries along with this innovative exhibition, mark the start of an exciting new era for the AM which I know will resonate with visitors,” Mr Grant said.

Mr Ayres said the Sydney exclusive exhibition showcases the remarkable achievements of extraordinary Australians and is set to be a drawcard for visitors to the harbour city.

Trailblazers will be highly interactive and is sure to inspire exploration and discovery in its audiences through the use of activities including rock climbing, a caving experience and interactive activities,” Mr Ayres said.

“The exhibition is expected to bring more than 10,000 visitors to Sydney and the NSW Government is proud to support the exhibition, through our tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW.”

Executive Director and CEO of the Australian Museum Kim McKay said Trailblazers: Australia’s 50 greatest explorers features more than 360 objects, including rare and precious artefacts such as Captain Cook’s cape which was gifted to Captain James Cook in Hawaii in 1770; the propeller from Sir Douglas Mawson’s air tractor – the first to be used in the Antarctic; and the gondola from Dick Smith’s hot air balloon used in his record breaking 1993 journey across Australia.

Trailblazers: Australia’s 50 greatest explorers will be held at the Australian Museum from 28 November 2015 to 18 July 2016.

Download a PDF version of this media release (PDF 204 kb)