By Helen Musa

The National Museum of Australia has announced both its winter and summer blockbusters for 2026.

First up in July is Antarctica, taking visitors to a frozen world in an exploration of one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

With the support of the Australian Antarctic Division, the show features more than 200 objects recently donated by the Division, which has in all transferred more than 1000 objects to the Museum for safekeeping as part of the National Antarctic Heritage Collection.

Antarctica will feature objects, many of them on display for the first time, including skis, an ice axe and a sled used on the Antarctic expedition led by Douglas Mawson, large over-snow vehicles, scientific instruments, survival items and even preserved sled dogs and penguins.

“Australia has an enduring connection to Antarctica, which has evolved to become a fundamental part of our national psyche,” NMA director Katherine McMahon said, while chief scientist of the Australian Antarctic Program, Prof Nerilie Abram, notes: “Antarctica is like nowhere else on Earth.”

Then in December, China’s renowned Terracotta Warriors exhibition goes on show at the National Museum of Australia alongside objects including weapons, armour and exquisite tomb items.

The lifelike warriors were crafted from clay more than 2000 years ago to watch over China’s first emperor, Qin Shihuang, in the afterlife.

This exhibition is the result of collaborative cooperation between the Shaanxi Cultural Heritage Promotion Center and the Museum, and will move to Brisbane after its Canberra season.

Antarctica at the National Museum, July 1-October 11, free entry.