Museums in Sydney

Sydney has an impressive selection of world-class museums, most of which are situated in and around central Sydney. These popular Sydney museums are home to some of the area’s most extensive, historic collections. Exhibitions at the museums in Sydney vary from large to small, local to international and many museums are located in historical buildings, right in the heart of Sydney. Here are some of the top museums in the diverse city of Sydney.

Museum of Sydney - Bridge Street, Sydney, New South Wales

The Museum of Sydney, in Sydney’s Central Business District, is one of Sydney’s most popular and dynamic museums. With installation and multiple-perspective art, state-of-the-art technology, interactive exhibits and many exciting displays, the Museum of Sydney explores Sydney’s early history and culture, from Sydney’s indigenous Eora civilisation and Sydney convict life. Other attractions at the Museum of Sydney include seasonal events, temporary exhibitions, a large gift shop and cafe area.

Sydney museum open: daily - 09:30 to 17:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens

Australian National Maritime Museum - 2 Murray Street, Darling Harbour, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia AU

Australian National Maritime Museum, in Sydney’s Central Business District, is hard to miss, standing at the western end of Pyrmont Bridge. Featuring sail-like roofs, which resemble the famous Sydney Opera House, the Australian National Maritime Museum tells the rich story of Sydney’s historic relationship with the sea. With Aboriginal canoes, displays about the arrival of the First Fleet, information on Sydney’s important surf culture, many historic artefacts, regular guided tours, a gift shop, cafe area and a number of moored boats, Sydney’s Australian National Maritime Museum is close to the Harbourside monorail.
Sydney museum open: daily - 09:30 to 17:00
Sydney museum admission: free

Australian Museum - 6 College Street, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia AU

Sydney’s Australian Museum is located in the Central Business District of Sydney and is one of the oldest museums in the whole of Australia. This large and impressive natural history museum was established just 40 years after Sydney was colonised and features a vast collection of Australian wildlife exhibits, Aboriginal artefacts, dinosaur skeletons, many interactive displays, a popular gift shop and restaurant area. The Australian Museum is close to Sydney’s Museum train station.
Sydney museum open: daily - 09:30 to 17:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens

Brett Whiteley Studio Museum - 2 Raper Street, Surry Hills, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2010, Australia AU

Celebrating the life of Sydney’s famous contemporary artist Brett Whiteley, who died in the late 20th century, the Brett Whiteley Studio Museum features many exhibits about his life, including a selection of his original paintings and drawings.
Sydney museum open: Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens

Clyde Bank Museum - 43 Lower Fort Street, The Rocks, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia AU

With exhibitions of beautiful cedar furniture, early Australian art, stunning ceramics, many original 19th-century artefacts and guided tours, Sydney’s Clyde Bank Museum can be found in the Central Business District of Sydney. The Clyde Bank Museum is housed in a grand mansion which dates back to the early 19th century and is within easy reach of central Sydney, by either bus, train or ferry.
Sydney museum open: Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 18:00
Sydney museum admission: charge

Colonial House Museum53 Lower Fort Street, Millers Point, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), Australia AU

The Colonial House Museum is housed in a delightful private house and is filled with colonial-era furniture and a vast amount of memorabilia. Sydney’s Colonial House Museum is owned by a local Sydney historian and is full of interesting historic exhibits and information.
Sydney museum open: by appointment
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens

Don Bank Museum - 6 Napier Street, North Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2060, Australia AU

Situated in the Lower North Shore of Sydney, the Don Bank Museum is one of the oldest buildings in this part of Sydney. Housing many historic exhibits and artefacts from this district of Sydney, including antiques, furniture, paintings and sculptures, the Don Bank Museum also features a number of temporary exhibitions throughout the Sydney calendar.
Sydney museum open: daily - 09:00 to 16:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens

Hills District Historical Centre and Museum - Community Centre, Castle Hill, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2154, Australia AU

The Hills District Historical Centre and Museum can be found in the Greater West district of Sydney and features a large collection of historic farming equipment, agricultural artefacts, period furniture and a number of important artefacts from this region of Sydney.
Sydney museum open: Sunday - 13:00 to 16:00
Sydney museum admission: charge

Hyde Park Barracks Museum - Macquarie Street, (Queens Square), Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia AU

The Hyde Park Barracks Museum, in Sydney’s Central Business District, was designed by Francis Greenway in 1819. Located at the northern end of Hyde Park, Sydney’s Hyde Park Barracks Museum was originally built as convict quarters and is now home to a wealth of historic Sydney information about its past. The Hyde Park Barracks Museum is close to Sydney’s Martin Place train station.
Sydney museum open: daily - 09:30 to 17:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and senior citizens

Justice and Police Museum - Philip Street, Circular Quay, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2000, Australia AU

Sydney’s Justice and Police Museum, in the Central Business District of Sydney, was built in the mid-1950s by colonial architect James Barnet. Housed in Sydney’s historic Water Police Station, which was in use until 1979, the Justice and Police Museum features many interesting exhibits about Sydney’s criminal past and policing methods, including forensic evidence, gruesome weapons and famous past crimes in Sydney. The Justice and Police Museum can be easily reached by bus, train or ferry and both audio and Braille guides are available at this Sydney museum.
Sydney museum open: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00 during January; Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children and senior citizens

Laperouse Museum - Cable Station, Anzac Parade, La Perouse, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2036, Australia AU

The Laperouse Museum is located on the northern side of Botany Bay entrance, in Greater Sydney. With an interesting Aboriginal gallery, historic maps, important local documents and a number of maritime exhibits, Sydney’s Laperouse Museum is named after a famous French explorer who arrived at this spot in 1788.
Sydney museum open: Tuesday to Sunday - 10:00 to 16:00
Sydney museum admission: charge

Macleay Museum - Gosper Lane, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2006, Australia AU

The Macleay Museum, in the Inner West district of Sydney, features impressive natural history exhibits, many of which where donated by famous zoologist Sir William Macleay, more than 100 years ago. With stuffed birds and animals, dinosaur skeletons, photographs, scientific instruments and many local artefacts, Sydney’s Macleay Museum is also home to important research information.
Sydney museum open: Monday to Friday - 09:00 to 16:00
Sydney museum admission: free

Mary Mackillop Place And Museum - 7 Mount Street, North Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2060, Australia AU

Sited in Sydney’s Lower North Shore neighbourhood, the Mary Mackillop Place And Museum is a fascinating museum. This important Sydney museum houses displays about the life of Mary Mackillop, a young girl from the bush who became a legendary nun and Australia’s first saint in the late 19th century. The chapel, housing Mary Mackillop’s tomb, was blessed by Pope John Paul II during his visit to Sydney in 1995
Sydney museum open: daily - 10:00 to 16:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and senior citizens

Motor World Museum - 320 Harris Street, Pyrmont, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2009, Australia AU

Sydney’s Motor World Museum is located in the Central Business District of Sydney, close to Darling Harbour. Home to a large collection of vintage cars, motorbikes and vehicles, together with many more modern examples, the Motor World Museum is a popular attraction for children and families.

Sydney museum open: Wednesday to Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00; Sunday - 10:00 to 17:00.
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and senior citizens

National Artillery Museum - North Head Scenic Drive, Manly, New South Wales (NSW), 2095, Australia AU

The National Artillery Museum, in Sydney’s Northern Beaches district, can be found in the North Head Army Barracks. Featuring historic military memorabilia, informative displays and a cafe, much of Sydney’s National Artillery Museum is located under the ground.

Sydney museum open: Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday - 12:00 to 16:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and senior citizens

Powerhouse Museum - 500 Harris Street, Ultimo, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2007, Australia AU

Sydney’s Powerhouse Museum, in the Central Business District of Sydney, is one of the most spectacular and exciting museums in the Sydney area. The museum covers Sydney’s social history, decorative arts, science and technology and communication. With many state-of-the-art exhibits, hands-on displays, a cafe and a popular gift shop, the museum is close to the Powerhouse Museum monorail.
Sydney museum open: daily - 10:00 to 17:00
Sydney museum admission: charge, discounts available for children, families and senior citizens

Sydney Jewish Museum - 148 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst, Sydney, New South Wales (NSW), 2010, Australia AU

Dating back to the early 20th century, the Sydney Jewish Museum has a number of historic displays about Jewish life in Sydney and throughout the world. Exhibits at the Sydney Jewish Museum include the Holocaust and also general Jewish history in Australia.
Sydney museum open: Monday to Thursday - 10:00 to 16:00, Friday - 10:00 to 14:00, Sunday - 11:00 to 17:00
Sydney museum admission: charge