SYDNEY MUSEUMS
The Australian Museum, 6 College St, Sydney +61 2 9320 6000
Every Sydney-sider has been here on a school excursion and rightly so. The permanent Indigenous exhibit takes you on a journey from settlement to the Stolen Generation, while the display of skeletons from all walks of life are great for young and old minds alike. However, the main event is always the Dinosaurs and fossils of ancient Australian mega fauna.
Australian National Maritime Museum, 2 Murray St, Darling Harbour +61 2 9298 3777
This national treasure allows you to see what life was like on a convict ship, view a replica “Endeavour” ship and learn about all aspects of ocean life from surfing to fishing and even how a submarine operates. A must for any Australian or anyone who has swum in the ocean.
Bondi Shark Museum, Level 1, 420 Oxford St, Bondi Junction +61 2 9369 3456
This place houses displays of all types of sharks and other marine life. There’s interactive activities and even an art gallery, all of which aim to promote the plight of a shark. Not so good if you’re en route to Bondi Beach for a dip.
The Rocks Discovery Museum, 2-8 Kendall Lane, The Rocks, Sydney 1800 067 676
A unique way to discover more about Sydney during the settlement period. The sandstone museum houses original artefacts found around The Rocks, and interactive videos take the familiar outside areas for a trip back in time.
The Justice & Police Museum, Corner Phillip and Albert Street, Circular Quay +61 2 9252 1144
Once a real police station and court, this museum now features replica remand cells and police charge rooms. Real weapons used in the early years are on display and you’ll learn all about some of Australia’s oldest and most notorious crimes.
Museum of Sydney, Corner Bridge & Phillips Street, Circular Quay +61 2 9251 5988
This was Australia’s first government house and built only ten years after Captain Cook arrived. A fantastic look at panoramic shots of old Sydney town and Sydney as we know it now.
The Powerhouse Museum, 500 Harris Street, Ultimo +61 2 9217 0111
A museum that makes learning fun! A myriad of interactive exhibitions about science and technology and even the arts. The fashion retrospectives are always worth a look.
Sydney Observatory, Watson Rd, Observatory Hill, The Rocks +61 2 9241 3767
Learn all you can about astronomy in Australia’s oldest observatory. The night telescope viewing is an absolute must and on a clear night, you can see the moon, stars, nebula or even a planet.
The Sydney Jewish Museum, 148 Darlinghurst Rd, Darlinghurst +61 2 9360 7999
Guided tours from Holocaust survivors and their family members, this is a sobering experience that offers an insight into Jewish settlement in Australia and allows for members of the Sydney Jewish community to learn more without travelling far from home.
By Carla Seeto
