From Saturday 23 November The Australian Museum will host the cultural juggernaut, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, which brings with it 3,000 years of Peruvian history.
Sydney has secured its spot as the only city in the country where you’ll be able to witness this immersive experience. Tickets are on sale now and if the museum’s last big hit Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs is any indication, it’s primed to sell-out.
Visitors get access to five ancient Peruvian empires through 134 priceless artefacts. Golden treasures, glittering jewels, intricately designed masks, and ceremonial objects that trace the spiritual and cultural depth of the Andes.
The big-ticket item? The most opulent collection of Andean gold to have ever left Peru.
Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
What will really set this exhibition apart is its Virtual Reality (VR) component, Machu Picchu and the Spirit of the Condor. With VR goggles and 360-degree motion chairs, visitors will experience a bird’s-eye view of the Incan empire, flying over the legendary Machu Picchu. And with cutting-edge drone footage, it’s the closest you’ll come to being there without actually boarding a plane to Peru.
Australian Museum Director and CEO, Kim McKay AO, says this exhibition is a cultural experience designed to educate, inspire, and forge connections between Australia and Peru.
“One of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a top bucket-list destination for many Australians, and this exhibition will further inspire visitors with its state-of-the-art storytelling alongside treasures from these intriguing ancient empires,” McKay said.
Sydney is the fourth city in the world to host this exhibition, following stints in Paris, Milan and…Boca Raton (Florida). The exclusivity is a major win for Sydney’s cultural landscape, positioning the city as a global hub for high-impact, large-scale exhibitions.
According to José Alberto Ortiz, Consul-General of Peru, it’s more than a showcase of history—it’s a symbol of cultural diplomacy. “I’m delighted that the Australian Museum will be hosting this exhibition, highlighting the rich history and culture of ancient Peru, enabling the people of NSW and beyond to experience Machu Picchu and all our country has to offer.”
Exhibitions with the golden touch
Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, which ran from November 2023 to May 2024, raked in more than $57 million and broke museum attendance records, drawing more than 508,000 visitors.
If history repeats, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is poised to have a similar economic impact, bringing in tourists, boosting hotel stays, and providing a surge in cultural tourism.
Where: 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
When: November 23, 2024 – February 2025
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