Social story for a family visit with older children

External view of Immigration Museum from Flinders Street in early evening.

What is the Immigration Museum?

The Immigration Museum is a place with lots of information about Australia’s immigration history. There are lots of big and small things on display. I can find out why some people move to Australia from other countries. I can look, listen and learn at the museum.

Getting to the museum

The Immigration Museum is in the city. I might go there by car, train, tram or bus. We might need to cross busy roads. I will cross at the lights and I will hold my adult’s hand when I cross the road.

Family at the ticketing desk at the Immigration Museum.

Going into the museum

When I arrive at the Immigration Museum I will see a big stone building with steps and three big doors. I will see a statue above one of the doors. The statue is part of the building and it will not fall on me. When I walk up the steps, the doors might open on their own.

I will walk into the museum and I will be in a large room called the foyer. The ticket desk is in this room, and here we will buy our tickets to get into the museum. I might have to wait patiently behind other people, but we will get our turn. After we buy our tickets, I can go into the rest of the museum. The museum staff member at the ticket desk will give my adult a map so they know where to go.

If I have a bag I can leave it in the cloakroom. The museum staff member will take my bag and put it in a cupboard and lock the door, so I know my bag is safe. Before I leave the museum, I can ask a museum staff member to please get my bag for me.

Woman on staircase leading up from the Immigration Museum foyer.

Getting around the museum

The Immigration Museum has three floors. To move around the museum, I can use the big stone stairs or use the lift.

If I use the stairs, I will walk slowly. If I want to, I can hold onto the railing or touch the wall.

The lift is small but will arrive quickly at the floor I want. The lift has a big window so I can see outside. I will see that we are going up or down and I will know the lift is safe.

A family walking through Immigration Museum.

Different spaces at the museum

The Immigration Museum is a special building and inside it looks and feels different from home or school. Some rooms might be big or small. Some rooms might be dark or bright.

I will hear lots of different sounds at the Immigration Museum. I might hear music, people talking or animal noises.

If I don’t like being in an area, I will tell an adult and we can leave the area together. Some areas I will enjoy more than others and that is okay.

Various Museum staff at the ticketing desk at Immigration Museum.

Staff at the museum

Many people visit the Immigration Museum and many people work there too. If I get lost, a museum staff member can help me. They wear tags on coloured straps around their necks.

Family eating food during their visit to Immigration Museum.

Food and eating at the museum

When I want to eat, I can use the chairs near the cafe, or go to the Atrium with glass walls, or go outside to the courtyard. I do not eat in the rest of the museum.

Father and son walking into Bathrooms at Immigration Museum.

Toilets at the museum

If I need to go to the toilet I will ask my adult to take me there. There might be other people in the toilet, too. When I am finished using the toilet, I will wash my hands.

Girl and boy running in Tribute Garden in Immigration Museum.

Taking a break

If I need a break or get tired, I will tell my adult. My adult can help me find a calm place to go. The Discovery Centre is a quiet place where I can sit and look at books. If I need to run around I will ask my adult to take me outside to the courtyard. I will stay with my adult and I won’t go outside the gates.