Top Things to do in Sydney
Top 10 Specialty Museums in Sydney, New South Wales
Sydney offers plenty of historical and contemporary Australian flavor. The marvelous Sydney Opera House looks like a great origami sailboat, floating peacefully in a harbor. Wander the narrow cobblestone streets of The Rocks and then take in a street performance on the Circular Quay before heading into the Museum of Contemporary Art. The views from the Sydney Tower Eye observatory are epic – use this chance to get to know the layout of the city from high above.
Restaurants in Sydney
1. Qantas Heritage Collection
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 8 reviews
Reviewed By mdjohnst - Royal Wootton Bassett, United Kingdom
This place is not really publicised enough. There are signs telling you where to go to this place but nothing really telling you what this place is. Up a few stairs and you have a mini aviation museum with a few models, a 747 tyre, an old engine and some mannequins of Qantas crew through the ages. You also get some great views of the airport. Worth the visit just for this.
2. Hyde Park Barracks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,112 reviews
A UNESCO World Heritage-listed site in the heart of Sydney, the Hyde Park Barracks is an extraordinary living record of early colonial Australia. Originally built to house convicts, the barracks has also served as an immigration depot, asylum, law courts and government offices. Today, you can discover the stories of the Hyde Park Barracks through a self-guided immersive experience that will feel like stepping back in time. Using our groundbreaking interactive audio technology, you’ll follow in the footsteps of real people whose lives were touched by this place – male convicts, immigrants and women in need, as well as the Aboriginal nations that were impacted by colonial Australia.
Reviewed By 338siddharthb - Seattle, United States
I came here last year in November, when it wasn't closed. I didn't pay the 12$ admission regardless, as it was very high but there is a lot to see in the grounds itself without entering the museum. This is the site where the "undesirables" were kept in prison camps in the famed "Australia as a prison convict colony" after Sydney stopped being an open air prison, people complained and put them in these barracks. Look in the original prison, see the crumbled rooms and stop by at least once to see this relic from Sydney's old colonial past.
3. Australian National Maritime Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,025 reviews
We share stories of the sea. Visit us in Darling Harbour to explore tall ships and beautiful boats, dive under the sea on a submarine, discover contemporary exhibitions and enjoy creative family activities.
Reviewed By rohintonmn - Mumbai, India
We visited three ships,the HMAS Vampire,the submarine HMAS Onslow and the sailing ship James Craig.Of the three,I can especially recommend the submarine and the sailing ships as a must-see because we had Mr.Gavin to explain and explore with us in the submarine.Also,I can't forget another lady who advised us with a deadpan expression to watch our steps in the sub and that we have to follow Mr.Gavin and if Mr.Gavin fell, we were not to follow him! I cannot recall the name of another nice guy who took us through the sailing vessel but he explained really well the history of the ship.The sailing ship can be booked for excursions, etc
4. Susannah Place
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 339 reviews
The working class did it tough in Sydney in the 19th Century. View the laundry copper, backyard dunny, worn lino, tiny kitchens and crowded living quarters when you visit this rare surviving example of a working class terrace. Then stock up on sweets in the old corner shop. Open daily 2pm-5pm. Museum access is by guided tour only. Tours can be pre-booked by phone or tickets are available for purchase online. Adult $8. Concession $4, Family $17. Sydney Living Museums members free. Closed Christmas Day.
Reviewed By 923joanf - Seattle, United States
This is a nice trip back in time to visit the occupants of this working class building from the early days of Sydney. The docent are very enthusiastic and knowledgeable.
5. Reserve Bank of Australia Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 42 reviews
Banknotes are an important representation of a nation's cultural identity, values and history. Illustrated with a selection of historical objects and digital interactives, the Reserve Bank of Australia Museum tells the story of Australia’s banknotes in the context of Australia's economic and social history from the colonial period to the present day.
6. Carriageworks
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 99 reviews
Carriageworks is the largest and most significant contemporary multi-arts centre of its kind in Australia. Carriageworks engages artists and audiences with contemporary ideas and issues. The program is artist led and emerges from Carriageworks' commitment to reflecting social and cultural diversity. The Carriageworks artistic program is ambitious, risk taking and unrelenting in its support of artists. Carriageworks is open 10am - 6pm daily and open until late on performance nights.
Reviewed By SavvyTraveller3322
Food is the name of the game for this market located in Eveleigh. If you want fresh fruit and vegies, and nice pick out food, then look no further. A large variety of stalls at good wholesale prices. You can do your weekly grocery shopping here
7. Nicholson Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 30 reviews
The Nicholson Museum, situated on the campus of the University of Sydney, contains the largest collection of antiquities in the Southern Hemisphere, from terracotta urns to mummies.
8. Sydney Conservatorium of Music
9. Sydney Bus Museum
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 20 reviews
Reviewed By nick164 - Sydney, Australia
An adult ticket is $20, which includes a ride from & back to the city on a charming vintage double decker. The museum itself is excellent - well laid out, lots of information plaques and of particular interest was a small exhibit on the role of buses during WW2. The volunteers have done an excellent job at collecting and restoring a broad range of buses over the years. The museum staff/volunteers were friendly. Well worth a visit for all ages. Note - It’s only open on selective Sundays. Be sure to check the website.
10. Australian Museum of Magical Arts
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 23 reviews
Tucked away in Darlinghurst, just minutes from Sydney CBD and behind the Australian Museum, the Australian Museum of Magical Arts is a secret museum that stores and exhibits historical, artistic and cultural artefacts of the art of magic. Hosted by a magician Tour Departures commence 11.30am & 1.30pm Tuesday to Friday and 1.30pm Saturdays & Sundays. Dusk tours 7.00pm As you walk through secret spaces of a magician’s theatre, you enter another world, filled with hidden treasures and untold mysteries. The museum not only holds unrevealed plans of illusions, magic tricks, drawings, patents, literature on magic, posters, costumes, but also magicians illusions such as the levitation, sawing woman in half and girl to tiger to name but a few . The Australian Museum of the Magical Arts offers a fascinating opportunity to expose oneself to new experiences and explore new things in a rich, creative and inspirational environment. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL To book please visit the website
