Must-See Exhibition 'Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru' Is Bringing 134 Priceless Artefacts to Australia

Get ready, Australia: this summer, the Australian Museum will transport visitors to South America. Following the blockbuster exhibition Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, which concluded at the end of 2023, the Sydney museum is preparing to launch another remarkable display for the end of this year and the beginning of 2025. In an exclusive Aussie event, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will feature 134 invaluable artifacts that date back over 3,000 years.

Set to open on Saturday, November 23, 2024, this exhibition, curated in collaboration with Peru's Museo Larco and Museo de Sito Manuel Chavez Ballon, will showcase a stunning array of treasures, including jewels and masks unearthed from royal tombs. As the title suggests, the focus will be on gold, with this exhibition boasting the most luxurious collection of Andean gold ever displayed outside of Peru.

In addition to viewing the artifacts over the six-month exhibition period, attendees can also experience Machu Picchu through virtual reality, available for an additional fee. Organizers highlight that this will be the first-ever VR "fly-through" of the iconic site, allowing visitors to feel transported through time and space, enhanced by 360-degree motion chairs and drone footage.

“Being one of the Seven Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is a highly sought-after destination for many Australians. This exhibition will inspire visitors with its advanced storytelling alongside treasures from these fascinating ancient empires,” remarked Kim McKay AO, Director and CEO of the Australian Museum, in announcing the exhibition.

“I am thrilled that the Australian Museum will present this exhibition, showcasing the rich history and culture of ancient Peru, allowing people in NSW and beyond to experience Machu Picchu and all that our country offers,” stated Mr. José Alberto Ortiz, Consul-General of Peru.

“Through the representation and interpretation of the myths and rituals of Andean civilizations, along with their rediscovery and reassessment in the 21st century, we can reconstruct the foundational images of modern Peru,” Ortiz added.

“I believe the public will be captivated by our unique culture that spans over 3,000 years and will be intrigued by the stories of the five empires still present in our nation today,” he concluded.

Sydney will be the fourth city globally to host Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru, following exhibitions in Boca Raton (US), Paris (France), and Milan (Italy).

Given the nation’s enthusiasm for historical exhibitions at the Australian Museum, anticipation for this season is high. The previous exhibit, Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, broke attendance records, selling over 508,000 tickets.

Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru will open at the Australian Museum, located at 1 William Street, Sydney, starting Saturday, November 23, 2024. For further details and ticket information, visit the exhibition's website beginning Tuesday, October 8, 2024.