Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
Sydney’s Got Gold Fever Again, and This Time It’s Heading Straight for the Andes
If there’s one thing Sydney loves, it’s gold. Not just the bling itself but the stories, the artefacts, the shine. Last summer, it was Ramses and his Pharaoh flex. Now, it’s time to hop continents (virtually) and meet the Peruvians.
No need to strap in to hang out in Machu Picchu which is a journey and a half. We don’t hae to take a 20-hour flight to Lima, then another hop to Cusco, a 74km trek by car and train to Aguas Calientes, and a final slog up the mountain by bus or on foot. All you have to do is head to the Australian Museum and let their shiny new summer exhibition do the hard work for you.
Gold treasures from the Inca citadel
Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is here to sprinkle some serious ancient Andean sparkle across your Insta feed. Australian Museum director Kim McKay reckons the VR experience alone will take your breath away. But before you pop on the goggles, feast your eyes on 134 dazzling treasures – many made of pure gold, silver, and gilded copper – that bring the mystery and culture of the 15th-century Inca citadel to life.
If you’re still riding the high from last year’s Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs (which pulled in a casual 508,000 visitors), consider this the ultimate sequel. And let’s be clear: this exhibition is no second-string act. It’s the largest-ever collection of gold from ancient Peruvian societies to hit Aussie shores. These artefacts? Straight from royal tombs, and no, you can’t touch them.
Gold jewellery and an ancient excel spreadsheet
Expect gold jewellery that screams “old money,” silver vessels you wish you could sip cocktails from, and intricate ceramics that have somehow survived thousands of years. Oh, and there’s a quipu (pronounced “kippoo” if you’re feeling fancy) – an ancient Andean record-keeping system that’s basically the OG spreadsheet but way cooler.
The whole exhibition is a crash course in Andean cosmology. From duality symbols (gold and silver = sun and moon, obvs) to life and death, rain and drought, and the balance of the overworld and underworld – it’s deep stuff, but the shiny things keep it all digestible.
VR over Machu Picchu
Need a break from all that ancient bling? Hit up the VR tour of Machu Picchu where you’ll “fly” over the iconic ruins, powered by a 15th-century god. Casual.
To top it off, the museum’s rolling out Peruvian-themed events every month – think music, talks, tours, and enough pisco sour vibes to transport you straight to Lima. Oh, and Paddington Bear stans take note: with a new movie dropping next year, there’s chatter that everyone’s favourite marmalade-loving bear might make an appearance.
So, whether you’re here for the gold, the history, or just a solid day out, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru is the golden ticket of the summer. Don’t sleep on it.
EVENT DETAILS
Exhibition Tickets: Off peak: Adult $37.50, Child $20.00, Family x 4 $94.00; Peak: Adult $42.50, Child $ 23.50, Family x 4 $110.00. VR experience: $22.00
What: Exhibition and VR, Machu Picchu and the Golden Empires of Peru
When: Saturday 22 November, 2024 – February 2025
Where: Australian Museum, 1 William St, Darlinghurst NSW 2010
Sponsors: Many including LATAM AIRLINES
