Australia is a very special country regarding the history, flora and fauna, culture, and traditions. And if you want to find out more about all mentioned, you definitely should visit (in person or at least via online virtual tours) one or more of Australian folk museums. Their collections show both the aboriginal Australian culture (so old and so unique) and the period of European settlers coming to this faraway land in the early 1600s and throughout the 18th-20th century. Australia is a multicultural and multiethnic country, so it’s very interesting to learn Australian clothing traditions throughout the millennia of its existence.
Museums & Galleries of NSW (New South Wales). It is situated in Sydney, Australia. Among the exhibits are traditional clothing and item of folk culture of Australian aboriginal tribes.
Armidale Folk Museum. It is situated in Armidale, Australia. Among the exhibits are vintage handicraft tools, traditional clothes and accessories, old photos depicting indigenous people and new settlers of the 19th century, historical outfits, etc.
Museums Victoria is Australia's largest public museum organization. It includes several local folk museums and other museums situated in Victoria state, southern Australia.
Bunjilaka Aboriginal Cultural Centre. It is situated in Carlton, Australia. Among the exhibits are folk garments, accessories, jewelry, and various cultural pieces of the local aboriginal peoples of Victoria state, particularly the Boon wurrung and the Woi wurrung. Also, weaponry, ceremonial items, folk handicraft tools of indigenous tribes, etc.
South Australian Museum. It is situated in Adelaide, Australia. This museum has one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of Australian aboriginal cultural material in the world. Also, there are exhibits from Papua New Guinea and Pacific cultures.
Lace Place. It is situated in Hyden, Western Australia. This is a unique museum dedicated to lace. Its collection includes several hundreds of lace samples and garments dating back to the 17th century. There are vintage wedding dresses, veils, and many other handmade and machine-made lace samples.
Lobethal National Costume Museum. It is situated in Lobethal, Australia. This museum shows the history of South Australian fashion from 1812 to the present day. Over 200 garments are on display, the oldest of them dates 1812.
Orroroo Yesteryear Costume Gallery. It is situated in Orroroo, Australia. Among the exhibits is a collection of period costumes and accessories dating 1870s-1980s.
Immigration Museum. It is situated in Melbourne, Australia. Among the exhibits are cultural pieces belonging to various immigrants to Australia from other countries. These are traditional and historical clothing, accessories, vintage handicraft tools, ceremonial items, dolls in folk costumes, photos and documents regarding traditional clothing, etc. In this museum, you can find folk garments from around the world.
Ayers House Museum. It is situated in Adelaide, Australia. This museum is a Victorian-era manor. Among the exhibits are Victorian-era clothes, shoes, and accessories. Here, visitors can dress up in Victorian clothing and take part in historical reenacting activities.
Ceduna School House Museum. It is situated in Ceduna, Australia. Among the exhibits are cultural artifacts of Australian indigenous people and new settlers of the 19th century, including clothing, handicraft tools, etc.
Gwoonwardu Mia – Gascoyne Aboriginal Heritage and Cultural Centre. It is situated in St. Carnarvon, Australia. Among the exhibits are cultural items of indigenous groups of the Gascoyne Region, including ceremonial pieces, vintage textiles, traditional garments, handicraft tools, etc.
Note! If you’re a museum that exhibits traditional costumes, folk clothing crafts, or historical clothes, jewelry, and accessories, and you’re not on the list, please write us in the comment section or via the contact page. We will gladly add your museum here with short info about it.
