Best History Museum 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"

"Speaking of Sydney’s convict history, while the public buildings were built along Macquarie Street, the homes and pubs were in the Rocks. The best spot to learn about this area is at the Rocks Discovery Museum, a free museum in a restored 1850s sandstone warehouse. It tells the story of The Rocks from pre-European days to the present and has a good collection of images and archaeological artefacts from the area."

"This free museum gives visitors a quick introduction into Sydney’s most historic neighbourhood, The Rocks. With several personal accounts taken from diaries, court reports and newspapers, after spending a few hours in The Rocks Discovery Museum I felt like I personally knew many of the people who had once lived there. http://www.therocks.com/things-to-do/the-rocks-discovery-museum.aspx"

"This free museum at The Rocks near Circular Quay also has some great information about the convict era – it was here that the British established the first colony. But the museum also takes visitors through the indigenous history and the transformation over the past century from a busy port to a modern city."

"Constructed in 1858, Rouse Hill Estate was the home of Richard Rouse, the Colonial Superintendent of Public Works and Convicts at Parramatta, and the generations of his family thereafter (six generations in total) and is an example of the ‘rude’ timber farm buildings that were found throughout rural Australia. A visit to Rouse Hill Estate is quite interesting. The site is the very place where the 1804 ‘Vinegar Hill’ convict rebellion occurred, and the kids can explore the original school that is on the site as well."

"Known collectively as Sydney Living Museums, families are always welcome to explore the twelve gorgeous heritage properties under the SLM umbrella including Elizabeth Farm,Vaucluse House, Rouse Hill House & Farm and Elizabeth Bay House. Each boasts beautiful grounds and a story from Australia’s past at every turn, and there are always exciting activities on the calendar. The Museum of Sydney has been transformed into Paradise on Earth with an immersive, multi-sensory exhibition and Hyde Park Barracks has a new Kids’ Activity Trail to explore the newly-restored landmark."

"Museum Of Sydney, Hyde Park Barracks, Justice & Police Museum, Vaucluse House, The Mint, Elizabeth Farm, Susannah Place, Rose Seidler House, Rouse Hill Estate, Elizabeth Bay House, Caroline Simpson Library & Research Collection,Head Office, The Mint, 10 Macquarie Street Sydney, NSW 2000Ph 02 8239 2288Email info@slm.com.ausydneylivingmuseums.com.auA group of 12 museums, houses and gardens that will take you on a remarkable journey through time and place to experience a whole other life."

"When I was little I was taught that museums are a place to look and wonder – no touching. The Sydney Living Museums are a little different which makes them some of the best of the museums in Sydney to visit with kids. You see, the Sydney Living Museums have been frozen in time."

"A rare survival of a working-class terrace” is how Lavrencic and Cullen describe Susannah Place, the museum that feels like stepping back in time. Situated in the inner-city suburb of The Rocks, Susannah Place is a terrace made up of a former grocery store and workers’ cottages dating back to 1844. View the backyard ‘dunny’ (lavatory), crowded living areas and worn lino, and experience what life was like for Sydney’s working class in the 1800s."

"A natural progression from The Rocks Discovery Museum is the Susannah Place Museum where you can actually step inside The Rocks’ terraced houses on Susannah Place, built in 1844. Restored to resemble what life was like for the working class immigrant families who lived there, you can step back in time and learn more about the daily struggles in Sydney 150 years ago. http://sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/susannah-place-museum"

"One of our favourite things we did in Sydney was visit Susannah Place. Located in the Rocks, Susannah Place is a couple of old terraces which have been conserved and set us as they would have been many decades ago. Here your family can have a fun, educational experience where you can discover what it was like to be living in these small houses."

"Although small in size, the Quarantine Station Museum has big appeal as it shares a lesser-known history of the arrival of European settlers. Inside the Quarantine Station you will learn what new arrivals had to go through before they were free to leave and start their new life. You can choose from a variety of guided tours including a ghost tour or a walking tour that takes in much of the surrounding beautiful bay on Sydney’s North Shore."

"Designed by Harry Seidler for his parents and built between 1948 to 1950, Rose Seidler House provides panoramic views of Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park and is one of the finest examples of mid 20th-century modern domestic architecture in Australia. A visit to the Rose Seidler House provides visitors with an opportunity to view the furniture and fittings form one of the most complete and intact post World War II design collections in public ownership. Opening Times: Open Sundays only | 10.00 am – 4.00 pmTicket Prices: Family $38.00Address: 71 Clissold Rd, Wahroonga NSW Website: sydneylivingmuseums.com.au/rose-seidler-house"

"The Rose Seidler House was designed by architect Harry Seidler for his two parents Max and Rose. It was built in the Bauhaus style and is an excellent example of modern architecture wherein it establishes a contrast between the man-made object and nature (order versus disorder)."

"The Rose Seidler House is one of Sydney’s most unique houses – an iconic and influential house in every right. The house was constructed between 1948 and 1950 and boasted a radical modernist approach in its..."

"Built by famous convict architect Francis Greenway, Sydney’s Conservatorium, part of the University of Sydney, began life as a Gothic picturesque stable for Governor Macquarie. Known as “a palace for horses”, the building was so expensive it caused Macquarie to be recalled to Mother England. Today you can visit the building to attend one of the many concerts put on by students or stroll the outside when touring the Botanic Gardens."

"Sydney’s premier music school is on the edge of the Royal Botanic Garden. The building looks like a castle but was actually originally built as stables for the nearby Government House. Because it’s a school, not all areas are open to the public but you can see three levels of the atrium."

"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."

"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."

"Nev Bagriyanik and his wife Zeyneb opened their ice cream parlour to bring the traditional sweets of their hometown of Maras to the Inner West. Expect unique flavours like the Sour Cherry, Turkish delight, Date, Pistachio and a simple combination of Milk and Sugar. The ice cream itself is particularly sticky and doesn’t melt as quickly as regular ice cream – this is because it’s made with a wild orchid root called salep which gives the ice cream a stretchy texture."

"Nev Bagriyanik and his wife Zeyneb opened their ice cream parlour to bring the traditional sweets of their hometown of Maras to the Inner West. Expect sour cherry, Turkish delight, date, pistachio and the simple combination of milk and sugar to flavour your iced confections. The difference here is that they use salep, a flour made from orchid root that gives Turkish ice cream its super tacky consistency."

"Yet another Enmore Rd institution, Hakiki is famed across the land for their Turkish coffee as well as their gelato (with a thematically consistent Turkish spin). Here you’ll find all the usual gelato staples like apple & cinnamon, hazelnut, and pistachio – with your not-so-usual treats also available, such as baklava, caramelised fig & walnut, and even Turkish coffee. View this post on Instagram"

"This working brewery on the Northern Beaches is home to The Transit Lounge, where there are 11 taps pouring the latest drops. At this pet-friendly venue, Wednesdays are open for takeaway, Thursdays and Fridays are for tasting paddles and on Saturdays and Sundays, there is live music and food trucks. 5 Sydenham Road, Brookvale"

"One of the newest venues to open at The Cannery, Frenchies Bistro & Brewery is a small upscale French bistro come microbrewery. Showcasing the best of French cuisine, the bistro-style menu complements their range of craft beers. For the full experience, book a seat at the Thursday night bottomless beer feast with a shared menu and paired beers."

"Marrickville’s pet and kid friendly brewery The Grifter Brewing Co is equal parts laid-back and cool. The edgy warehouse screams Inner West brewery, accompanied by a full suite of quirky brews like watermelon pilsner and coffee cream ale. For a cheeky drink and some grade-A bar snacks like crackling and jerky, a visit to the bar is a must."