Museum of Sydney

Located on Bridge St, not far from Circular Quay, the Museum of Sydney focuses on the history of the city with an emphasis on the impact white settlement had and still has on Aboriginal People.

Getting There

As with many attractions in Sydney, public transport is the easiest and cheapest way to travel. We caught the Light Rail from Central Station, getting off the Bridge Street stop. From here, it was an easy 5-minute walk to the museum.

Entry

Entry was free with staff only requesting a post code to see where visitors were from.

Exhibits

Edge of Trees

Located in the museum’s forecourt, these 29 pillars represent 29 clans from the Sydney area.

The First Fleet

The first display we saw was a series of scale models of the first fleet. This impressive display had each ship represented along with a short description and history. Many of the names of these ships are commemorated in Royal Australian Navy ships and Sydney Harbour ferries.

Government House

A model of the original Government House shows how the site appeared in the 1780s. This building was the centre of colonial administration for 57 years until replaced by the new Government House.

Located in the museum’s forecourt on Bridge Street, a glass-fronted display provides a view of subterranean remains of the first Government House. Inside the museum, near the gift shop, additional glass panels in the floor provide glimpses of archaeological remains, including foundations and drains.

Special Exhibition: The Sydney Opera House

The top floor of the Museum houses rotating displays, often with an aboriginal theme. During our visit, the Sydney Opera House’ 50th anniversary was being celebrated. As a result, there was a large exhibition detailing its history.

This exhibit only runs until 12 November 2023, when it will be replaced by a new series of displays.

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To see what else there is to do in New South Wales, please see some of our other stories.