Australian Museum announces Machu Pichhu exhibition extension

The Australian Museum (AM) has cracked open the good news today by announcing the extension of its blockbuster summer exhibition, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, until Sunday 11 May 2025. Because, why not give you more time to soak up the wonders of the Andes without the hassle of leaving Sydney?

To really crank up the South American vibes, the AM is hosting Fiesta de Perú, a two-day festival bursting with music, dance, food, and all things cultural. Running from Saturday 22 February to Sunday 23 February 2025, it’s a Peruvian extravaganza you really don’t want to miss (unless you’re allergic to fun, of course). With a mix of free and ticketed events, there’s something for everyone, whether you’re a foodie, a music lover, a history nerd, or just someone looking for the perfect Instagram post.

Oh, and just in case you needed another reason to check it out, the extended exhibition isn’t just showing off its 134 jaw-dropping artefacts; it’s also got an award-winning virtual reality tour of Machu Picchu. Basically, it’s a history lesson that’s way cooler than what you had to sit through in high school.

Highlights of Fiesta de Perú

  • Attend Pepito’s Pisco Masterclass and come out a mixologist, learning how to whip up Peru’s signature cocktail like a pro. Sure, tickets cost a bit ($80 for members, $100 for non-members), but you can’t put a price on nailing that perfect pisco sour.
  • For free (because we love free stuff), you’ve got intriguing talks like Secrets of the Andean Cloud Forests and Beyond, where brainiac Professor Kris Helgen will blow your mind with fascinating facts about Peru’s biodiversity, or The Social Lives of Human Remains, a morbidly cool examination of life and death in ancient Peru by Dr. Jacob Bongers.
  • Prefer films over lectures? Catch Mother Tongue or AINBO – Spirit of the Amazon. The former dives into Quechua language preservation, while the latter features a jungle adventure starring an adorable armadillo and a goofy tapir.
  • Feeling cultural? Explore World above, World below, an eye-catching photo essay capturing Carnaval traditions, or enjoy traditional Andean music and dancing by Duo Jimenez and Te Amo Perú. Pro tip: don’t leave before trying the free Marinera dance lessons—because nothing says “I went to a Peruvian festival” like busting a move.
  • Hungry? Satisfy your cravings at La Cantina de Cusco, the pop-up food kiosk serving up mouthwatering Andean bites. Or hit up the market stalls, where you’ll find stunning handmade crafts by Peruvian-Australian artists. Practical souvenirs with a side of sustainability? Yes, please.

And here’s the cherry on top—visitors have exclusive chances to win prizes, including a 10-day, once-in-a-lifetime trip to Peru (thanks, Adventure World and LATAM Airlines). Plus, each exhibition-related booking to Peru during this time sends 10% of the proceeds to the Australian Museum Foundation. Win-win, right?

Plan Your Visit

Don’t dawdle! Head to australian.museum to snag your tickets for Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru and Fiesta de Perú. What are you waiting for? History, adventure, and maybe even a new favorite cocktail are just a click away.