Exploring Sydney’s Museums

You’ve visited the Australian Museum, seen the ships at the Maritime Museum, ridden a train at the Powerhouse Museum and you think you’ve finished the museum circuit. You haven’t! Sydney has a number of lesser-known historical gems that are well worth a visit and are perfect for a day out with the kids.   

Nicholson Museum

Created by Sir Charles Nicholson, one of the founders of theUniversity of Sydney, the Nicholson Museum is home to the largest collection ofantiquities in the southern hemisphere. Visit a real mummy, examine tombcarvings and circumnavigate the globe, from Egypt to the Near East andeverywhere in between.

Where: TheUniversity of Sydney, Manning Road, Camperdown

When: Mon to Fri: 10am – 4:30pm. First Sat of the month: 12 – 4pm

Price: Free

Justice and PoliceMuseum

The beautiful sandstone building that houses the Justice andPolice Museum holds the death masks of some of Australia’s most infamouscriminals, in addition to mug shots, weapons and police reports. You can alsowalk through a recreated 1890s police charge room, a remand cell and a restoredcourt room. The museum is interactive and enthralling. Take an afternoon toacquaint yourself with some of Australia’s most notorious.

Where: 4–8Phillip Street, Sydney

When: Sat to Sun: 10am – 5pm

Price: $5 –$10

Susannah Place Museum

Rich in Sydney’s working class history, Susannah Place is aterrace of four houses which, over the course of nearly 150 years, played hostto over 100 families. The stories of these families are represented in the largelyunchanged houses, along with the history of The Rocks and Sydney.

Where: 58–64Gloucester Street, The Rocks

When: Daily: 2pm – 5pm. Tours:   2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Closed: Christmas Day,Good Friday

Price: $4 – $8

Macleay Museum

The Macleay Museum holds the oldest natural historyexhibition in Australia and exhibits specimens sourced from Cuba to WaggaWagga. The museum also houses a collection of historic scientific instruments,the Historic Photographic Collection, which documents life in Australia and theAsia-Pacific region from the 1840s to the 1860s, and a billion-year-oldmeteorite.

Where: TheUniversity of Sydney, Gosper Lane, Camperdown

When: Mon to Fri: 10am – 4:30pm. First Sat of the month: 12pm – 4pm

Price: Free

Sydney Jewish Museum

Rich in history and filled with stories, Sydney’s JewishMuseum is an exploration of Jewish history, culture and the genocide, as wellas a powerful statement against racism. Walking through the museum you are ableto read individual stories, see historic artefacts and learn about the plightof the Jewish people during the Holocaust. Guided tours are available four daysa week, and are often conducted by a Holocaust survivor, making this museum awonderful, immersive experience.

Where: 148 Darlinghurst Road, Darlinghurst

When: Sunto Thu: 10am – 2pm. Fri: 10am – 2pm. Closed: Sat, Jewish Holy Days, some public holidays

Price: $7 –$10