Dr Christian Thompson AO House of Gold

• (02) 4441 5675
• enquiries@jbmm.asn.au
• 11 Dent St, Huskisson NSW, Australia
• jervisbaymaritimemuseum.asn.au/drchristianthompsonaohouseofgold
• 24 Sep 2026

At a Glance: The Information Hub

A quiet afternoon out of the midday sun to examine a highly acclaimed visual exploration of Bidjara and Cantonese heritage. The Jervis Bay Maritime Museum hosts an installation that asks you to look closely at Australian identity before you head back out to the timber boardwalks along Currumbene Creek.

Introduction

The Princes Highway sets the coastal scene: surfboards on roof racks, beach towels in backseats and visitors seeking shade as the day warms. Jervis Bay’s bright turquoise water defines the familiar rhythm of the coast, but the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum offers a deliberate change of pace. Set back from the water near Currumbene Creek, the museum replaces the glare of the beach with a quieter exhibition space, where dark walls and controlled lighting create a focused setting for its displays and video installations.

The Deep Dive: House of Gold

Dr Christian Thompson AO brings a complex exploration of heritage to the South Coast through House of Gold. The acclaimed Bidjara, Irish and Chinese-Australian artist uses photography, video, sculpture and sound to examine First Nations and Chinese Australian identities beyond conventional colonial records.

The exhibition takes its title from a line of Song Dynasty poetry, 书中自有黄金屋, commonly translated as “a book in the hand holds a house of gold.” The phrase provides a framework for Thompson’s exploration of Chinese heritage, family history, knowledge and identity. Thompson explores inherited knowledge and generational memory through imagined personas, elaborate costumes and large-scale photographic works incorporating native botanical imagery. These carefully constructed compositions examine heritage, identity and family history.

Developed with 4A Centre for Contemporary Asian Art and the Golden Dragon Museum in Bendigo, House of Gold brings a contemporary perspective to regional audiences. The exhibition combines visual, video and sound works that explore Cantonese and Bidjara family histories, offering a more immersive experience than a conventional gallery display.

The Local Insider’s Edge

The Jervis Bay Maritime Museum is located at 11 Dent Street, Huskisson, with visitor parking available on-site. Accessible parking and entrance facilities are available for visitors with mobility requirements, so check the museum’s current access information before travelling.

The museum and gift shop are cashless, so bring a physical card or use a suitable contactless payment method. If you’re visiting after spending time outdoors, a light layer may also be useful for the gallery spaces.

Extend Your Stay: Huskisson and Jervis Bay

Staying in Huskisson or nearby Jervis Bay suburbs makes it easy to combine the exhibition with other local attractions. Experience Jervis Bay offers holiday accommodation across Huskisson, Woollamia, Vincentia and other locations around the bay, providing options for visitors planning a longer stay.

After visiting the museum, visitors can explore Booderee National Park and its Botanic Gardens, with walking trails, native plants and opportunities to learn about the area’s cultural and natural heritage. Booderee is Aboriginal land owned by the Wreck Bay Aboriginal Community Council and jointly managed with Parks Australia. An additional night gives visitors more time to explore Huskisson, Booderee and the wider Jervis Bay area without trying to fit everything into a single day.

Practicalities

• Transit: Huskisson is approximately a 2.5- to 3-hour drive south of Sydney via the Princes Highway, depending on traffic and road conditions. Visitors travelling from Canberra can reach the area by road via the Kings Highway and Princes Highway.

• Access: The museum welcomes visitors with access needs and provides step-free access, accessible parking at the Dent Street entrance and accessible facilities.

• Direct Links: Ticketing and updated opening hours are available via the Jervis Bay Maritime Museum Official Site.