Australian National Maritime Museum to celebrate NAIDOC Week with free open day

Phoebe Blogg Published June 16, 2026 at 12.00pm (AWST)

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The Australian National Maritime Museum are set to celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC Week this July. (Image: supplied)

The Australian National Maritime Museum will host a free day of family fun to celebrate the start of NAIDOC Week on July 5 to by exploring stories and knowledge of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Featuring cultural activities for all ages, the event will celebrate NAIDOC Week's '50 Years of Deadly,' with the Museum set to host lively performances, art making activities, guided tours and workshops.

*The Australian National Maritime Museum will celebrate 50 years of NAIDOC on July 5. (Image: supplied)*

The day will begin with a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony led by Koori Konnections, grounding attendees in respect and tradition.

Celebrations will then continue with a range of engaging and educational activities including a live art demonstration from award-winning children's book illustrator Dub Leffler, weaving workshops with Dunghutti Biripi artist and educator Wanita Lowe, face painting with NAIDOC-inspired designs curated by Dakota Dixon, mixed media workshops with Dunghutti/Gomeroi artist Nioka Lowe-Brennan, live music performances throughout from the Marra-Wanggan Dance Group and Baakanji Kunya musician Ross Knight.

*Children engaging in activities at a previous Australian National Maritime Museum NAIDOC Week event. (Image: supplied)*

"For 50 years, NAIDOC has championed survival, culture, and pride. At the intersection of land and sea, the Australian National Maritime Museum is proud to amplify the oldest living continuous cultures on earth," Australian National Maritime Museum head of Indigenous programs, Matt Poll, said.

"50 Years of Deadly' is a declaration that First Nations maritime stories are not history frozen in time—they are living, breathing truths shaping our shared future."