Whether you are interested in the maritime history or would like to learn more about the aboriginals that have called this place home for thousands of years, the museums in Sydney will provide a rich cultural experience. A dynamic city where history and contemporary living collide, Sydney offers some of the most intriguing museums in the world, and each provides travelers a look into this city’s complex past. You don’t need to be a history buff to enjoy all that is offered at Sydney’s fine museums!
Top 6 Museums in Sydney
Looking for something fun and enriching to do while you are visiting Sydney? This city is home to many fabulous museums that are beloved by visitors of all ages. Take a look at six museums in Sydney that should go on every itinerary.
1. Australian National Maritime Museum
Located at Darling Harbour, Australian National Maritime Museum is a local treasure that showcases sea life of the past and present as well as an extraordinary line up of historic sea vessels. This beautiful museum is located along the shoreline and attracts over 850,000 visitors of each year. It was constructed in 1991 and features exhibits that tell stories about sea life of the present as well as a few species that have long since become extinct. Australian National Maritime Museum has over 3700 square meters of exhibition space where visitors will find countless artifacts to look at.
Permanent exhibits at Australian National Maritime Museum
- Smugglers – An exhibit dedicated to smuggling and contraband in Australia.
- Secrets of the Sea – Learn about folklore, sailor stories, myths, and legends that were talked about at sea.
- What about Women? – An exhibit that portrays the important roles women have played in the maritime history of Australia.
- East of India – A complete history of trade and commerce in the sometimes forgotten country of Australia.
- Exposed – A comprehensive look at the history of swimwear.
- Fish in Australian Art – A colorful exhibit that showcases the creativity of historic Australian artists.
- Pirates! – A look at maritime crime, theft, and shady behavior.
While at Australian National Maritime Museum, don’t forget to wander outside and take a look at the historic ships docked at the harbor. Guests will get to see vessels such as Destroyer: HMAS Vampire, James Craig 1874, HMAS Onslow, and the HMAS Advance patrol vessel. Guided tours are available for those who would like to learn more about the artifacts in the company of an expert historian. Australian National Maritime Museum is open daily from 9:30am to 5pm and admission to get into the exhibits is $35 AUD for adults and $20 AUD for children 4 to 15 years of age.
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2. Powerhouse Museum
Also known as the Museum of Applied Arts & Sciences, Powerhouse Museum is a modern museum that preserves the aboriginal tribal art, traditions, and sciences that have helped shaped Australia’s culture. While at this museum, guests can check out an assortment of exhibits that showcase transportation technology, machinery, art, and design concepts that have made their mark on the world and put Australia on the map. All together, Powerhouse Museum is home to over 500,000 artifacts that visitors are welcome to look at. The Powerhouse Museum also features a gift shop where visitors can purchase art and culturally-relevant gifts to commemorate their trip. The MAAS Cafe is an onsite diner where visitors can sit down and enjoy a glass of wine, burgers, pastries, and coffee in a casual setting.
The museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily and admission to get in is $15 AUD for adults and free for kids.
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3. Sydney Olympic Park Visitor Centre
In case you weren’t able to make it to the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, you can still relive the magic when visiting Sydney Olympic Park Visitor Centre in downtown Sydney. The whole complex is an interactive museum of sorts where guests can participate in sports activities at the same venues where the most well-known international athletes competed as well as check out all of the world-renowned relics and artifacts from the Olympic games. The whole complex has over 430 hectares of space to explore, which includes the New South Wales Hall of Champions and more.
Sydney Olympic Park Visitor Centre is open from 9am to 5pm daily and admission varies depending on which museums and attractions you visit.
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4. Justice and Police Museum
For those who have a passion for police work and the law, or are just looking for something to do that is a little different, stop by the Justice and Police Museum in downtown Sydney and get a deeper look inside the work of solving crimes. This museum is located in the heart of Circular Quay in a modest brick building. Inside guests will find an assortment of period uniforms and relics as well as news media accounts of some of the most notorious crimes in Australia’s history. Want to learn more about how police weaponry has evolved over time? This museum has a little bit of everything to offer guests of all ages. Justice and Police Museum is housed in a historic 1800s era building that has also used as the courthouse and police station within the city. Guests can also lock themselves up in a 1890s replica jail cell!
Justice and Police Museum is open from 10am to 5pm daily and admission is $12 AUD for adults and $8 AUD for kids.
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5. Museum of Sydney
From aboriginal tribal art to important government documents, visitors will be in for an all-encompassing cultural treat when visiting the Museum of Sydney in downtown. Housed in the Government House, even the building that this museum is located in has quite the history lesson to share. The interior of this museum is warm and inviting and is home to art, tribal artifacts, scale models, ship parts and fragments, wall art, and artifacts that showcase everyday life throughout the centuries. At the museum, guests can tour the permanent exhibits as well as check out a whole host of traveling temporary exhibits that are on display throughout the year. Museum of Sydney offers guided tours as well as has monthly programs that are appropriate for kids and young adults. Celebrate the complex history of Sydney by examining important artifacts from the past.
The museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm and admission is $15 AUD for adults and $12 AUD for kids.
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6. Hyde Park Barracks Museum
Central to the history of Australia, Hyde Park Barracks Museum provides visitors with a look at what early life was like in the criminal justice system of Australia. The museum is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage-listed site and has transformed over the years from originally being a jail to eventually being a hub for immigration and even a courthouse. Guests can wander inside and admire this museum’s rustic beauty while checking out an assortment of wall displays, encased artifacts, and documents that all pertain to the rich and diverse history of this country. The building itself is breathtaking, yet simple, showcasing colonial architecture that was prominent during the period that it was constructed. Visitors are welcome to take a self-guided tour or join a group for a 90-minute expert historian-led tour.
Hyde Park Barracks Museum is open daily from 10am to 5pm and admission is $24 AUD for adults and $16 AUD for children and teenagers.
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