Sydney Powerhouse Museum

The Ultimo Powerhouse Museum in Sydney is great fun for all ages with interesting exhibits that entertain as much as they educate

Power House Museum in Sydney
Power House Museum in Sydney cc licensed photo by roryrory

The Ultimo Powerhouse Museum is temporarily closed for Heritage revitalization. A $300 million revitalisation of the Powerhouse Ultimo museum will bring new and enlarged exhibition spaces to display the Powerhouse Collection alongside new and exclusive international exhibitions.

Powerhouse Museum is a public museum in New South Wales which offers uniquely diverse collections including works relating to history, design, science, technology, music, industry, transport, decorative arts and space exploration. The Museum is estimated to house over half a million items in its diverse collection of historical and cultural objects.

Some of the Museum's highlights that you shouldn’t miss out on include the steam engine demonstrations of the oldest rotative engine in the world, made in 1785 by Boulton and Watt. Also check out the Strasburg Clock whose intricate mechanics include the Apostles’ procession, a rooster crowing and a sandglass-turning cherub. The Kings Cinema is yet another attraction that features a reproduction of art deco style cinema reminiscent of the Thirties.

Visitors can avail themselves of a variety of activities including tours, workshops and demonstrations. In additions to the permanent collection and displays the museum features a continually changing line-up of special exhibits.

The Powerhouse Museum also operates the historical Sydney Observatory which is located in the Rocks.


Nearby attractions include: Darling Harbour, Capitol Theatre, Chinatown, Chinese Gardens, Market City and Paddy's Market.

Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Yes

Address: 500 Harris St, Ultimo NSW 2007, Australia

Phone: (02) 9217 0222

Official Website: Sydney Powerhouse Museum

Sydney Powerhouse Museum Reviews

Rated 4.6 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating We visited the Powerhouse Museum (Darling) on January 2, 2024. Because Sydney is a very walkable city, we walked there after we finished visiting another museum. This one in Darling is near Chinatown / Paddy Haymarket. The cost was free which made it even better! The museum was amazing. I loved the various exhibits with a focus on steam engines. It was fascinating how the use of steam powered so many things from a printing press, to a fire engine. They also had various instruments on exhibit as well. We met a wonderful employee that provided in-depth information. If you love technology from the past, you must visit! I also encourage anyone with children to visit too. They had a cool exhibit for the kids.
Gwen Penn (Other) - a month ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating This was a really great day visiting Powerhouse Museum. It has a wonderful range of artifacts ranging from Movie Memorabilia, Space Travel Memorabilia and Australian Railroads Memorabilia to so much more. I found it so interesting and couldn’t recommend enough.
Nerine Cummins - in the last week

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating It's amazing display of a museum. So many things to see from its different eras of products. There are four levels of buildings to see. Don't worry, they provide escalators and lifts! Toilets and shop including cafe (try their orange cake!) To visit this museum by bus 501 from Central or just walk from Chinatown (paddy's market). Note : come now before they will renovate it on next February. Free of charge.
Marko Smith - a month ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating Visited the Powerhouse Museum for the first time on Sunday. Definitely worth a visit. There is plenty to look at and such a range of displays to suit a wide variety of interests. Staff are extremely helpful and friendly. There is a gift shop and cafe there also.
Adam Avery - a month ago

Show More
Show Less

5 Star Rating A must see before they close for a 3year renovation as of Feb 2024! An AMAZINGLY BEAUTIFUL experience with something for EVERYONE! Electricity, steam power, space, fashion, history and PRIDE! Clean, beautifully presented exhibitions, fully accessible, lots of quiet low light areas too if your from a Nuro-Spicey family. We were lucky enough to see the volunteer steam engine master come in and start up all the steam powered equipment. He even stopped to chat to us after as we were following him around quietly in awe of how he went about starting each machine. A fine art these days! Absolutely a must see if you are in Sydney and entry was free at the time we went too.
Meg Joynateous - a month ago

Show More
Show Less

Directions

Train Line Nearest Station Walking Time
Light Rail L1Exhibition Centre5 minutes
T1, T2, T3, T4 or T5Central Station12 minutes

How to get to Sydney Powerhouse Museum by Train

By Light Rail L1: Exit at Exhibition Centre and take the steps to Pyrmont Street. Cross the street and continue up the 2 flights of stairs through the adjacent lane to Harris Street and go left. The Powerhouse Museum is about 1 block up on your left.

By Train:Exit Central station at South Concourse where the Devonshire Street Tunnel begins. Continue through the tunnel to Railway Square and enter the next section of tunnel which leads to The Goods Line where you’ll see the old train track and the beginning of The Goods Line pedestrian walkway. This leads directly to the entrance of the PowerHouse Museum. You can also take the #501 bus from Railway Square up Harris Street right to the museum.

Map & Instant Route Finder

Click&Go Map and Route Finder with public transit, walking, driving or cycling directions. Get up-to-the-minute transit times for your route.

Finding Your Route - Please Wait

Accommodations near Sydney Powerhouse Museum:

Photo Gallery

Video

Please provide consent and/or disable ad blocker to view the video.


Sydney Hotel Deals

Book Now, Pay Later
Price Matching
2,563,000+ Properties Worldwide
24/7 Support
booking.com logo
Booking.com sale banner link

Visiting Sydney?
Here's why we use Booking.com for our hotel bookings.
Best Selection
Daily Deals
Price Matching
Pay at the Hotel
24/7 Support
Share on Pinterest
Share on Pinterest
Help us grow! Please Share
Thanks for Visiting!