Free Museums in New South Wales

"Occupying a prime location next to Sydney’s Darling Harbour, the Australian National Maritime Museum is a must-visit for tourists as well as for local Sydney-siders. As the name suggests, the Australian National Maritime Museum is focussed on Australia’s maritime history, and is home to an impressive collection of objects that go as far back as the 17th century. Note that tickets are required for specific exhibitions and to enter the ships and vessels that are on display inside and outside the museum."

"The Australian National Maritime Museum (ANMM) is Australia’s national centre for maritime collections, exhibitions, research and archaeology. Grab a free ticket from the front desk for admission into the permanent indoor galleries and under 5s play area “Mini Mariners”. For entry into our fave spot, the “Kids on Deck” craft area, visiting exhibitions and the ships, a paid ticket is required."

"* James Craig – (Sydney Heritage Fleet... Location: Sydney"

"Housed in a historic Art Deco building it contains more than 4,000 works of modern art and is dedicated to showcasing the works of living artists from Australia, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, along with artists around the world. It displays paintings, photographs, sculptures, drawings, film, and performance art. Whilst you're indulging your creative..."

"The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia is one of the city’s must-see museums dedicated to living artists. Located on the bank of the picturesque Sydney Harbour, it’s home to a vast collection of both international and Australian masterpieces of painting, sculpture, photography and moving images. It also has a large collection of works from indigenous artists."

"A landmark building near Circular Quay, this is the location of the library. It used to be the headquarters of the Customs service and is an impressive building to walk through. One of the best features to check out is a small scale model of Sydney under the glass floor."

"The Big Dig Archaeology Education Centre is part of Sydney Harbour YHA in The Rocks heritage precinct of Sydney. The centre facilitates hands-on archaeology educational experiences and opens the archaeological site to the public. Opening Times: The Big Dig welcomes the general public to visit the site during daylight hoursTicket Prices: varied depending on programAddress: 110 Cumberland St, Sydney NSWWebsite:thebigdig.com.au"

"The Big Dig Cumberland Street Archaeological Site is a heritage-listed archaeological site in The Rocks. The centre is part of Sydney Harbour YHA,, and while it is no longer an “active” excavation site, it does facilitate hands-on archaeology educational experiences and opens the archaeological site to the public. The general public are welcome to visit the Big Dig site during daylight hours."

"You’ll see a great mix of architecture as well as Sydney’s Oldest pub, the Big Dig Archaeological Site underneath the YHA hostel, Suez Lane which was once run by gangs and 4 houses preserved from different decades at Susannah Place. Head to The Rocks Square for plenty of dining options or the famous Rocks Markets on Saturdays for some independent stalls and delicious food."

"Located on the Kamay Botany Bay National Park’s northern headland and housed in a historic Cable Station building, the La Perouse Museum documents the 1787-1788 expedition of Comte de Lapérouse who arrived in Botany Bay a week after the First Fleet before departing and then mysteriously disappearing. When visiting La Perouse Museum make sure to visit the Macquarie Watchtower, Pere Receveurs Tomb and Bare Island. Opening Times: Wednesdays and Fridays, 10.00 am to 2.00 pm | Saturdays and Sundays, 10.00 am to 4.00 pm | Closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.Ticket Prices: FREEAddress: 1542 Anzac Parade, La PerouseWebsite:La Perouse Museum webpage"

"Feature: A mix of Aboriginal history and artefacts from the expedition of French Explore La Perouse who reached Australia in 1788 just days after the English. Unlike many on this list, this Museum is well outside the CBD, in the coastal suburb of La Perouse. Housed in the old Cable Station, which once connected Australia to the rest of the world via telegraph, the Museum commemorates the famous La Perouse expedition, a French scientific endeavour whose ships arrived around Port Jackson at roughly the same time as the First Fleet."

"The last one on this list of free Sydney museums is not as well-known as most other museums, but La Perouse Museum at the southern end of Anzac Parade is certainly worth a visit. The museum is housed in the former Telegraph Cable Station building on the La Perouse headland, and is home to a large collection of exhibits related to the 1787–1788 expedition of a French naval officer and explorer. This expedition arrived in Australia one week after the First Fleet, and vanished without a trace months later."

"Before the light rail returned to Sydney, trams were something that many people believed was a Melbourne thing unaware that Sydney had an extensive tram system in place. It makes sense then that the Sydney Tramway Museum is Australia’s oldest tramway museum and the largest in the southern hemisphere. The Sydney Tramway Museum boasts quite a collection of trams including Sydney trams from 1896 to 1997 as well as trams from across Australia (Brisbane, Melbourne, Ballarat and Adelaide) and even from overseas such as San Francisco, Nagasaki, Berlin, Munich and Milan."

"The Sydney Tramway Museum is the oldest museum of its kind in Australia and is a fantastic family-friendly destination. For anyone who has wondered what it would be like to get on board a tram in the early 20th century..."

"If cravings lean towards the true flavours of Italian cuisine, stop by Entrata on Glenhaven Road. This Glenhaven restaurant is all rustic charm with exposed coloured brick walls, pale green velvet ben..."

"Cicciabella’s second location pays tribute to the pared-back “cucina povera” style of Italian cooking – think woodfired Florentine steak, crudo, pasta and pizza. Parramatta Square 153 Macquarie Street,Parramatta"

"Here you'll find a fully fenced toddler area with a swing, slide and plenty to climb, as well as two long flying foxes with a boarding platform, a giant slide, a large circular climbing frame, a sandpit, an onsite cafe, and just about everything else. A play in the playground surrounded by bushland will be topped off perfectly with a paddle in the foreshore of Kogarah Bay. Read our Carss Bush Park & Playground Review."