Things to do in New South Wales, Australia: The Best Museums

May 17, 2022 Sheron Bogner

New South Wales (abbreviated as NSW) is a state on the east coast of Australia. It borders Queensland to the north, Victoria to the south, and South Australia to the west. Its coast borders the Tasman Sea to the east. The Australian Capital Territory is an enclave within the state. New South Wales' state capital is Sydney, which is also Australia's most populous city. In March 2017, the population of New South Wales was over 7.8 million, making it Australia's most populous state. Just under two-thirds of the state's population, 4.67 million, live in the Greater Sydney area. Inhabitants of New South Wales are referred to as New South Welshmen.
Restaurants in New South Wales

1. Royal Flying Doctor Service

Broken Hill Rd, Broken Hill, New South Wales 2880 Australia +61 8 8080 3714 [email protected] http://brokenhill.experience.flyingdoctor.org.au
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 709 reviews

Royal Flying Doctor Service

Come and visit the Outback Heritage Experience that combines a museum, theatre and gift-shop, with interactive displays showing the history of the Service. It also tributes to the doctors, pilots and flight nurses who work for us, the many community groups and benefactors who support us. Enjoy a talk by our tour guide. View the aircraft in the hangar. Watch a unique film in our 44 seat theatre. Shop for special souvenirs. Explore the Mantle of Safety Museum. The Outback Heritage Experience is unique because it is one of the few working Bases, located at an airport that is open to the public daily. Visitors can tour the Base and explore the Mantle of Safety Museum which showcases over 88 years of remarkable outback history. The Flying Doctor Service is a charitable organisation. We rely on the generosity of the community to continue our life-saving work. All proceeds from admissions and merchandise sales go towards the purchase of new aircraft and vital medical equipments.

Reviewed By J5084OCrickh

Really enjoyed the experience and learning about the RFDS, watched an informative show, got to see the control room and the hanger where some old planes are being restored all with expert commentary.

2 Mistral Rd, Murwillumbah, New South Wales 2484 Australia +61 2 6670 2790 [email protected] http://artgallery.tweed.nsw.gov.au
Excellent
82%
Good
16%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 592 reviews

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre

Tweed Regional Gallery & Margaret Olley Art Centre is housed in a large, modern, architecturally award-winning building with views to Wollumbin/Mount Warning. The Gallery was relocated to this site in 2004 and extended in 2006. The Margaret Olley Art Centre opened as a purpose-built extension in 2014. Opening hours: 10am - 5pm (Wednesday to Sunday) Cafe open: 10am - 4pm (Wednesday to Sunday)

Reviewed By 23cathief - Drysdale, Australia

A beautifully sited gallery with several galleries of special exhibitions, with the highlight being the Olley artwork and re-creation of her home-studio. With the video and hands-on experiences it is totally inspiring as you become immersed in the artist's work and life. Friendly informed staff and volunteers enrich the experience....a "must stop" visit.

3. The New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum

2 Smith St, Parramatta, New South Wales 2150 Australia +61 405 482 814 [email protected] http://www.lancers.org.au/
Excellent
94%
Good
6%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
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Terrible
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Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 16 reviews

The New South Wales Lancers Memorial Museum

The Museum of Australia's oldest surviving and most decorated Regiment. Guided by a retired Lancer, discover the history of mainland Australia's oldest military barracks and its oldest and most decorated Regiment, the 1st/15th Royal NSW Lancers. Hear about the wars in which it has fought and its glittering ceremonial history as Australia's Vice-Regal Escort. View the development of the Regiment's uniforms, equipment, means of communication on the battlefield, combat rations and weapons, from the days of horse and lance in the Boer War, through Gallipoli and Palestine as Light Horse in WW1, the tanks it used to mount Australia's largest ever armoured assault in WW2 to its role as armoured reconnaissance today. Inspect a rare example of the worlds first sub-machine gun, an even rarer example of the worlds first anti-tank weapon and, maybe, see the world from inside one of our heritage armoured fighting vehicles, most of which have been restored to full mobility.

Reviewed By jeffal6 - Sydney, Australia

My wife and I visited Lancer Barracks Museum earlier this week and have no hesitation in recommending this heritage location to anybody interested in military history or Australian Colonial History. We were given a very informative and entertaining guided tour of the museum and surrounding grounds by a volunteer guide which took over two hours. There are some very important and rare military items on display and all the exhibits are displayed in a very professional manner. The colonial buildings in the grounds go back as far as 1820 and are in excellent condition. There also a number of rare and restored military vehicles adjacent to the main museum. Strongly recommended.

4. Killer Whale Museum

Killer Whale Museum 182 Imlay Street, Eden, New South Wales 2551 Australia +61 2 6496 2094 http://killerwhalemuseum.com.au
Excellent
51%
Good
41%
Satisfactory
6%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 836 reviews

Killer Whale Museum

Reviewed By 4_Aussies_inOz - Sydney, Australia

We visited the museum on a windy, cooler day and it was the perfect experience for bad beach weather! Adults and kids alike will be entertained for a couple of hours here, even with covid restrictions closing some minor sections & viewing telescopes. The museum is well set out, despite being small, and the gift shop is well organised. Hubby and I read every single signboard and these gave us such a deeper understanding of the whaling industry in Eden and of the local locations we had visited the previous day. Excellent covid-safe provisions and clean public toilets. Views from the top floor and outside are beautiful.

5. Junee Roundhouse Museum

Harold Street, Junee, New South Wales Australia +61 2 6924 2909 http://www.roundhousemuseum.com.au/
Excellent
59%
Good
34%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
2%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 169 reviews

Junee Roundhouse Museum

Reviewed By 328rogerh - North Rocks, Australia

Not just for the enthusiast, this place is a must for all of the family. The Museum is also a working railway maintenance workshop so you can see old and newer side by side. Staffed by knowledgeable volunteers, there is plenty to see including an extensive model railway. Don’t miss this whilst in Junee.

6. Chambers of The Black Hand

3 Opal St, Lightning Ridge, New South Wales 2834 Australia +61 2 6829 0221 [email protected] http://www.chambersoftheblackhand.com.au
Excellent
76%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 665 reviews

Chambers of The Black Hand

A unique gallery of over 350 sandstone carvings plus murals painted on the sandstone walls in the sandstone level above the opal level of an old opal mine. Ron Canlin is the artist of this amazing attraction, 12 years passion and still carving daily, a real work in progress. After touring the carvings, Trevor Hudson with 30 years experience in mining and prospecting then takes you down to 2nd level where he will draw on his wealth of knowledge to give you a very informative talk on the geology and formation of opal, the drives and shafts were hand dug by the old timers over the past 100 years. Not to be missed, winner of the NSW 2008 Hidden Jewel award.

Reviewed By JohnB521 - Adelaide, Australia

We were impressed with the professionalism of the staff/guides. The sculptures were unique and amazing for a self taught artist. Well worth the visit.

7. National Motor Racing Museum

Murray's Corner Mount Panorama, Bathurst, New South Wales 2795 Australia +61 2 6332 1872 http://www.nmrm.com.au/
Excellent
52%
Good
36%
Satisfactory
11%
Poor
1%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 310 reviews

National Motor Racing Museum

Australia's National Motor Racing Museum

Reviewed By 156philliph

An extensive display of Tin Tops, Open Wheelers, Rally Cars, Heritage Motor Cycles, Racing Motor Cycles including Specials & Side Cars, Also on display was Australia's first Dragster Rail from the 1960's -14.5 secs for the 1/4 mile at Castlereagh Airstrip. A well presented collection & a must see for Enthusiasts.

8. Science Space

60 Squires Way, Wollongong, New South Wales 2500 Australia +61 2 4286 5000 [email protected] http://sciencespace.com.au
Excellent
51%
Good
40%
Satisfactory
7%
Poor
2%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 162 reviews

Science Space

Science Space is the only dedicated science experience in NSW and is a place where anyone, young and old, can come and see how science and technology discoveries have become reality. It is a place to be inspired about what the future holds and empowered to help change it for the better. Science Space is the proud home of the DIGISTAR 6, Australia’s #1 most digitally advanced Planetarium. The 4k laser projection system is a first for Australia and allows the public to experience science and technology like never before. Science Space is founded upon the principles of education, hands-on learning and accessibility. Existing to advocate the value of science and technology and increase general science literacy. Science Space brings over 100 interactive exhibits, Science Shows, Workshops and Australia’s #1 Planetarium to the Illawarra region.

Reviewed By PKatGriff - Griffith, Australia

Great three hours with the family at Science Space. Kids loved all the interactive exhibits and reckoned it was much better than ‘Early Start Discovery Place’. Only slight negative is the on-site cafe which Is very basic. Suggest dining elsewhere although I was told there is a proper cafe very near which is pretty good.

9. Fleet Air Arm Museum

489A Albatross Rd, Nowra, Shoalhaven, New South Wales 2540 Australia +61 2 4424 1920 http://www.navy.gov.au
Excellent
59%
Good
35%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
1%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 180 reviews

Fleet Air Arm Museum

Reviewed By aaronsW7035QN - Wollongong, Australia

What a great place with so much Navy fleet arm history this is definitely a must do while your in town or close by especially now that it’s FREE entry! The whole family loved the visit and my 3 year old kept talking about it the whole trip. Definitely worth the drop in just plan to take it slowly so you can see it all definitely 2 hours at least

10. Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

224 Howick St, Bathurst, New South Wales 2795 Australia +61 2 6331 5511 [email protected] http://www.somervillecollection.com.au
Excellent
75%
Good
22%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
0%
Terrible
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Overall Ratings

4.5 based on 313 reviews

Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum

Situated in the heart of Bathurst, the Australian Fossil and Mineral Museum is the home of the internationally renowned Somerville Collection. The Somerville Collection is the lifetime work of Warren Somerville and highlights of this remarkable collection include a T.rex skeleton, dinosaur eggs, fossils from most stages of life on Earth as well as spectacular examples of minerals from around the world. It is housed in the 1876 Public School building which underwent major refurbishment before being fitted out with stunningly beautiful exhibitions.

Reviewed By 962annettea - Sydney, Australia

The museum is currently home not only to the wonderful Somerville mineral collection but the even more amazing Chapman collection on loan from Sydney's Australian Museum. Albert Chapman was local boy Warren Somerville's mentor so it is fitting to have the two superb collections displayed together. Between the two of them are many of the world's greatest and rarest mineral examples. You don't have to be a rock nerd to be captivated by the beauty and the shapes and the colours of the minerals, sourced from all over the world in the course of two lifetimes. The fossil collection is also worthy of a major capital city museum, complete with a t-rex skeleton and Australia's largest collection of fossilised dinosaur eggs and insects in amber. One of the best, if not the best, regional museums you will ever visit. A huge shout out as well to the happy, friendly and knowledgeable staff.

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