Engage with a world of science in one of Sydney’s favourite museums, where you’ll see working steam engines, hear ancient clocks and explore the night sky.
Discover the wonders and processes of the world around you at the Powerhouse Museum. This scientific institution in downtown offers excellent interactive exhibitions, unique antiques from around the world and access to the Sydney Observatory.
Start your visit with an enlightening guided tour of the museum’s intriguing exhibits. Knowledgeable staff will give you a working demonstration of the steam engine. Hear the ancient foto player, an entirely mechanical musical machine, as it plays the soundtrack to a silent film. Take the opportunity to visit the impressive Strasburg clock that has kept the museum on time for over 100 years and enjoy its hourly Australia-themed chimes.
Spend a few entertaining hours exploring interactive light and color shows and playing with fruit and vegetables at the digital Magic Garden. Children of all ages will love learning about the lives and equipment of astronauts and the feeling of weightlessness in the Space Lab. Take a break and let the kids run wild at the playground on level 1 while you enjoy lunch at the courtyard café.
Try one of the museum’s hands-on workshops. Learn with the kids in a variety of educational classes, or attend one of the more in-depth interactive talks for adults.
Book tours for a small fee at the cloak room on level 3. Tours take around 45 minutes. The museum is open every day, except December 25. Children under 16 enter for half price and those under four for free.
For a night activity, visit the Sydney Observatory near Circular Quay. The observatory is part of the Powerhouse, and see movies that explore the sky and learn about the movement of planets and constellations in its huge planetarium. Visit in the early evenings for a viewing of the real night sky through the observatory’s powerful telescope.
The Powerhouse Museum is located next to downtown Sydney. Parking is available along Darling Drive for a fee. Catch the ferry to Circular Quay or a train to Central Station and walk.
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