Pre-launch website and gallery

Australian Spy Museum

We have assembled an incredible collection of genuine espionage artefacts from around the world. Our passion project is to build a physical museum to house, care for, and share these artefacts, stories, and our educational programs with a wider audience.

Meanwhile we offer unique-in-the-world Spycraft Experiences and present at events.

Check back regularly, follow us on Bluesky, Instagram or Linkedin, and let us know if you can assist us in establishing a physical museum.

“I never thought I’d see a working Enigma machine – I’m just stunned.

This talk is the most amazing way to connect with the origins of cyber security.”
Enigma talk attendee, Cybercon Melbourne 2023Company Name
“I visited the Stasi HQ museum in Berlin in 2016 and found it very impressive.

I could not believe such a collection existed in Australia. I’m very interested in your future plan.”
“Tools of the Dark Side” talk attendee at BSides Adelaide 2024Company Name
“The Femme Fatale talk you and Paula gave was very enjoyable – and relevant to the greater social context and movements as well.

I was sitting next to two young professional women during the talk and they were totally enrapt, as was I.”
“Femme Fatale” talk attendee at AISA BRISSEC 2024Company Name
This collection always astounds.
Attendee at “Tools of the Dark Side” display – ISACA Canberra Conference 2024Company Name
“Fascinating topic and brings security and the need to follow processes to the fore”
Attendee at Enigma demo and talk delivered at ASC, South Australia 2024Company Name
“I caught your presentation at CyberCon and was absolutely mind blown by your demonstrations of encryption and decryption with old school tech. Truly appreciate your insights!”
Attendee at Enigma Live Demo’d and Explained – CyberCon Melbourne 2024Company Name

Vision and Mission

The Australian Spy Museum holds the largest private collection of spycraft artefacts in the southern hemisphere, from the Renaissance through to the modern age. This includes cipher machines, spycraft and counter-intelligence equipment, relics from the Berlin Wall, uniforms, awards, a library of rare books, original documents, signed photographs, and more.

Our mission – is to collect, preserve and share the artefacts and stories that bring to life the intriguing history of espionage, and origins of modern threats.

Our vision – is the mid-term establishment of an independent publicly-accessible museum – a home to protect these artefacts, display them in context, and deliver our educational programs.

A special thank you:
As non-government private collectors our acquisition program was guided and assisted by overseas experts, collectors, brokers and other museums.
Your introductions, shared knowledge and encouragement helped us develop our collection into the amazing resource that it is today.
Thank you for supporting our passion project to share these incredible treasures and stories with the other half of the world.

Spycraft experiences

To earn some initial income to help fund an Australian Spy Museum we have developed some eye-opening and inspiring presentations for government and corporates.

These unique-in-the-world talks use genuine espionage artefacts to bring to life WWII codebreaking and the birth of cyber, the nature of nation state threat actors, and the unsung role of women in security.

These are unforgettable experiences that your clients will talk about for years to come.

Marty Kaiser designed counter surveillance preamplifier
Soviet Fialka Cipher Machine
Laptop and Chanel Bag as used by Russian spy Anna Chapman
East German Mikrat / Microdot Camera

Upcoming presentations

Spy radios and other tools of female agents of the WWII French Resistance
Femme Fatale – Women in the history of espionage and tech
Cybercon CBR – 17-19 March 2025

Vannessa Van Beek and I present stories and (incredibly rare) genuine items from women agents and operators – this inspiring talk has only ever been given once before.

Learn More
Tools of the Dark Side: Iconic artefacts from the evolution of spycraft
FSI-ISAC Sydney – 28th May 2025

To set the scene for FSI-ISAC this year, the Australian Spy Museum will provide a short talk and also a display of key items from the evolution of spytech – from the US Civil War to fall of the Berlin Wall.

Learn More

Sponsors

Thanks to these organisations for helping us bootstrap the Australian Spy Museum
Click to learn more about them.