Museum of Sydney

The Museum of Sydney is a fascinating and beautifully curated space that offers a unique perspective on the city’s layered history. Nestled right in the heart of Sydney’s CBD, it’s an easy and rewarding stop if you’re exploring the city on foot. From the moment you walk in, there’s a calm, reflective atmosphere that invites you to slow down and really take in the stories being told. What I loved most about the museum was how it weaves together Indigenous and colonial histories in a thoughtful and respectful way. The exhibitions offer an honest look at the early days of Sydney, including the complex and often difficult narratives of first contact. The museum is built on the site of Australia’s first Government House, and that physical connection to place adds a powerful layer to the experience. The foundation remains are visible within the museum, grounding the whole space in real history. The exhibits are not overwhelming in size, but they are rich in content. Interactive displays, historical artifacts, multimedia, and art installations all work together to tell a more complete story of Sydney's past and present. It’s not just about the early days of the colony—it’s also about culture, identity, resilience, and change over time. The staff were friendly and knowledgeable, happy to answer questions and offer insight. There’s also a great little gift shop with books and locally made items, and the surrounding area is worth a wander too—close to Circular Quay, the Botanic Gardens, and other cultural landmarks. If you’re interested in understanding more about the roots of Sydney—beyond the postcard images of the Opera House and Harbour Bridge—this museum is absolutely worth a visit. It’s thought-provoking, beautifully presented, and quietly powerful. I highly recommend making time for it on your trip.
Julio Yanes - a month ago

We had a great visit before our flights out of Sydney. The volunteers were really helpful and we checked out several of the exhibits. Love the old building and the history there. To our surprise they had a Flores Hobbit skeleton which was a highlight for us since we didn’t get to make it to the cave when we visited Flores a few months back. Such a treat!
Carli McKinney - 3 months ago

Great place to get to know the history of Sydney and the early days of the colonial period. It’s heavy and sad to be honest. There are very few physical artifacts in it. Most of the materials they have is digital. But it is still a good way to show the history though. If you have got 2-hour free time, have a look.
Chang Guan - 2 months ago

It's not as big as I thought it should be. One hour is enough to walk around the museum. It's good to visit the museum to gain knowledge on Sydney and Australia history. Opposite the museum used to be the old government house. There is a gift shop and a cafe in the building.
fly onn - 3 months ago

We are so lucky to meet Isabella (Izzy) twice, both at Hyde Park Barracks and at Museum of Sydney:) She is super friendly and knows a lot about the history and culture of the sites!
Qintong Cai - a month ago